What Can We Learn From the Walls of Jericho Falling Down?

Carey Kinsolving
Sun, 27 Jul 2014 21:00:00 -0700
Lifestyle

"They (Joshua and the Israelites) marched around the Jericho walls for days," says Meagan, 7. "On the seventh day, they blew their horns, and the walls came tumbling down, and they shouted. You can never keep God out of your house, even if you tried."

Unfortunately, Meagan, a lot of people try. "I think God gave us the Jericho story because he wants to break down the walls of our hearts and let himself in," says Jordan, 8.

To be honest, I've never thought of the Jericho walls in this way. Who hasn't constructed walls to keep God at a distance? Some even mock God when they feel he's circling them. As we're building our little forts to keep God out, he's smiling and waiting for the right moment to smash our "impregnable" defenses in ways that totally surprise us.
Updated: Mon Jul 28, 2014

"They (Joshua and the Israelites) marched around the Jericho walls for days," says Meagan, 7. "On the seventh day, they blew their horns, and the walls came tumbling down, and they shouted. You can never keep God out of your house, even if you tried."

Unfortunately, Meagan, a lot of people try. "I think God gave us the Jericho story because he wants to break down the walls of our hearts and let himself in," says Jordan, 8.

To be honest, I've never thought of the Jericho walls in this way. Who hasn't constructed walls to keep God at a distance? Some even mock God when they feel he's circling them. As we're building our little forts to keep God out, he's smiling and waiting for the right moment to smash our "impregnable" defenses in ways that totally surprise us.

As J.T., 8, says, "It teaches us that God is stronger than walls."

There are lessons of courage to learn as well, says Cacle, 8: "I believe that this lesson teaches you that if God tells you to do something, no matter how much somebody teases you, do it anyway. God will never lie to you."

Hannah, 11, agrees: "It doesn't matter if you look dumb because you're marching around in circles blowing a horn. God told you to do it, so do it."

All right, so you feel dumb and ridiculous. What about feeling inadequate? "It doesn't matter how small you are. If God asks you to do something, you can do it with God," says Reid, 12.

Have you ever noticed how God frequently takes someone or something small and does something big? God delights in showing his power through people who look like castaways and in situations that look impossible. How else is he going to show his power? Never, ever underestimate what God can do through you if you make yourself available to him.

No one in the army of Israel thought a shepherd boy with a sling and few rocks had a chance against a giant dressed in full armor. David had to endure mockery and ridicule as he approached what looked like an impossible task. But he knew what General Joshua knew as his army encircled Jericho: "The battle is the Lord's" (I Samuel 17:47).

"God took just regular men to blow horns and shout some, and the walls fell down. God can do anything," says Andrew, 11.

Those regular men learned other lessons, and we can as well, says Nikki, 7: "The lesson of Jericho is to follow the Lord's instructions. This lesson helps me have faith in the Lord."

The instructions Joshua gave to the army of Israel and accompanying priests were very specific. For six days, they were to circle Jericho's walls one time without speaking. On the seventh, they were to circle seven times, blow trumpets and shout (Joshua 6:1-20).

There's a time to be silent and a time to shout. Knowing the difference may determine whether barriers stand or fall. Doing God's work in God's way will always accomplish God's purpose.

Indeed, Morgan says, "If you listen to God and do what's right, then you will get rewarded."

Think about this: God will use your availability before he uses your ability.

Scripture to remember: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (II Timothy 1:7).

Question to ask: If God asked you to do something that looked ridiculous to people, would you do it?