The Fall of Jericho: God’s Victory by Faith and Obedience

Bible Believing Christian
Sep 22
3 min read

The Fall of Jericho: God’s Victory by Faith and Obedience

Fresh from crossing the Jordan, Israel faces Jericho—a walled city famous for its massive defenses. By human strategy, it was impossible to conquer. Yet God shows that victory is His work, accomplished through faith and obedience, not siege engines.

Biblical Foundation (NASB)

Before the battle, God prepares His people spiritually:“At that time the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time.’ … Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Today I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you.’ So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.” (Joshua 5:2, 9)

They celebrate the Passover (Joshua 5:10) and experience new provision:“On the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land… and the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land.” (Joshua 5:11–12)

Then Joshua encounters a mysterious figure:“Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he raised his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand… And He said, ‘No; rather I have come now as captain of the army of the LORD.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down, and said to him, ‘What has my lord to say to his servant?’” (Joshua 5:13–14)

The battle itself:“You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn… all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat.” (Joshua 6:3–5)

“So the people shouted, and the priests blew the trumpets; and when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight ahead, and they took the city.” (Joshua 6:20)

Rahab’s salvation:“But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all she had, Joshua spared; and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day.” (Joshua 6:25)

Historical & Contextual Notes

Jericho’s fortifications: Archaeology shows Jericho was one of the oldest fortified cities, with double walls—about 12–15 feet high and 6 feet thick—humanly daunting.

The Commander of the LORD’s Army: Many scholars see this as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (a Christophany), because Joshua worships and is not corrected.

Sevenfold symbolism: Seven priests, seven trumpets, seven days—evoking creation and divine completion.

Ban (ḥērem): The city and its spoils were placed under the ban—devoted to the LORD, not plundered for personal gain (Joshua 6:17–19).

Misconceptions / Objections

“The walls fell because of vibrations or coincidence.”The narrative emphasizes exact obedience and supernatural timing, not seismic chance.

“This was indiscriminate violence.”God’s judgment on Jericho was a unique, unrepeatable act in salvation history. Rahab and her family demonstrate that repentance leads to rescue.

Theological Reflection

Faith expresses itself in precise obedience. The Israelites walked in silence for six days, waiting for God’s moment. Hebrews 11:30 affirms this: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days.”

The end of manna also signals a transition: God now provides through the land itself. The memorial of twelve stones in the Jordan and the rolled-away reproach at Gilgal form a narrative bridge from wilderness to promise.

Connection to Christ

Captain of the LORD’s Army: The mysterious figure with a drawn sword points to Christ, the divine warrior who leads His people into victory (Revelation 19:11–16).

Rahab’s Redemption: Rahab becomes an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:5), showing God’s heart for the outsider who trusts Him.

Walls of Sin Fall: Just as Jericho’s walls collapsed, Christ tears down the barrier of sin and hostility (Ephesians 2:14).

Christ-Centered Conclusion

Jericho teaches that God’s plans often defy human logic, but His power is sure. Salvation and victory belong to the Lord alone, and those who trust Him—like Rahab—are never excluded from His covenant family.