Judgement On Jericho

Joshua
March 17, 2024

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Key Scriptures

• Joshua 6
• Genesis 17:10-12
• Deuteronomy 9:1-5
• Deuteronomy 29:16-28
• 1 Kings 16.34
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Key Points

• 500 years before the battle of Jericho, the Lord spoke to Abraham about the judgment coming to the land of the Amorites.
• The Lord’s character includes both justice and mercy.
• There was justice for the city and salvation for Rahab and her family.
• Faith and obedience are followed by victory.
• God’s direction also includes warnings.

Discussion

1. God could have destroyed Jericho without the marching, trumpets, and shouts; why do you think He asked Joshua to do this? 
2. How are faith and obedience connected? 
3. How does the backstory of Jericho change your perspective of this battle?
4. What were the two warnings?
5. Explain how an understanding of God’s wrath towards rebellion elevates your appreciation of salvation.

The Gospel of the Wall of Jericho, by John Piper

Your wall, O wicked Jericho, your ancient, mighty wall,
         Your shame, where you have made your infants’ blood renowned,
                  Your boast, your monument, your Babel, tall
                           And endless on its side, bent ’round
                                    Into a ring, a thrust,
                                             Betrothing you
                                                      To dust;

         Your wall, your peace, your life you thought would ever thrive,
                  Now hollowed with four centuries of pride
                           Into a labyrinthine hive
                                    Of honeyed lust inside,
                                             With brothels all
                                                      Will fall;

                  But for one slender segment, with it’s rooms
                           And beds and washing bowls and creams
                                    And ointments and perfumes,
                                             Enflaming dreams,
                                                      Now screams;

                           Where Rahab and her kindred hide,
                                    All hanging by a thread
                                             The spies supplied
                                                      And said

                                    Would save, if they obeyed.
                                             They ’wait the blade
                                                      In dread;

                                             But there, instead
                                                      Of sword,

                                                      The cord.

John Piper, “The Gospel of the Wall of Jericho,” Desiring God, April 10, 2003, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-gospel-of-the-wall-of-jericho.