The previous post was only explaining the character Joshua and the place Jericho.
Now, here's the story that sets the background for the song we are practising - Joshua.
After Moses died, God selected Joshua as the new leader of the Children of Israel. Joshua had faithfully served God and trusted Him completely. Forty years earlier, he and Caleb had been the only two of twelve spies who had been ready to enter the Promised Land. The other ten were too frightened by what they saw. Because of their unbelief, an entire generation of Israelites died wandering in the wilderness. But with Joshua in charge, things would be different this time around.
As they camped near the Jordan River, God gave Joshua some final instructions,
“I have given you the land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River, and from the wilderness to Lebanon. All this land belongs to the Children of Israel according to my Word. No one will be able to stand against you. As I was with Moses, I am with you. I will never leave you or forget you.”
And then God gave Joshua the secret to success,
“Be strong and courageous. Do not forget any of my commandments. Do not turn to the right or left and you will prosper. Keep speaking my Words and meditate on them night and day and you will have success in everything you do!”
Confident God was in charge, Joshua sent two spies to investigate Jericho, the first city they would face. They entered Jericho and stayed at the home of a prostitute named Rahab.
Now everyone in Jericho was on pins and needles. They knew that God had promised the land to the Israelites and it wouldn’t be long before they showed up to take it. So when the King of Jericho heard that there were spies in Jericho, he immediately sent his guards to Rahab’s home.
Rahab told the guards that the spies had already left and if they hurried, they could catch up with them. But actually she hid them on her roof.
“We have heard of all the great the things God has done for you and how He brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt. All of Jericho is afraid and knows that we cannot fight against God,” said Rahab. “Please promise me that when Jericho is taken, you will save me and my family.”
The spies agreed.
“Tie this red cord in your window. Anyone within this house will be protected,” said the spies.
They climbed down a rope from her window near the wall. After hiding a few days, they returned to the Israelite camp and reported everything to Joshua.
Armed with his faith in God, Joshua marched his army across the Jordan River, which parted to allow them to cross on dry ground.
Now Jericho was a formidable city with huge thick walls. After wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites were not prepared to attack such a city with conventional weapons. So instead, God gave Joshua a supernatural plan that would give them the victory.
Early in the morning the army lined up and marched around the city carrying the ark. The priests blew their trumpets, but nobody spoke a word.
Up on the battlements, the King of Jericho watched the Israelites do this for six days. Each morning the army marched once around, the priests blew the trumpets, but nobody said a word.
“What are they doing?” asked the King. “They have no siege engines and no way to breach our walls!”
Jericho’s defenders started laughing at the Israelites. But the laughter didn’t last very long.
On the seventh day, the Israelite army marched around the wall as before. The priests blew their trumpets and the people said nothing. They did it again. And then they marched around it four more times. As they started marching the seventh time around, Joshua commanded the people to shout because God had given them the city.
So the priests blew their trumpets and the entire army shouted out praises to God. As they lifted their voices in victory, the walls came tumbling down, taking most of Jericho’s defenders with it. The Israelites charged through the debris and captured the city.
Hopefully this can imply some more accurate images in your brain.
And, enjoy the song~
Sunday, December 17, 2006
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