Look at those weird Israelite people walking around our giant wall. What are they hoping to accomplish? What is their end goal? Surely this can't be any kind of well thought out plan that will lead to our demise. All they are doing is walking in circles, making themselves dizzy.
The story of Joshua and the city of Jericho is one of the most well known bible stories of all time. It is a story of a group of people who were told exactly what to do from God and they did. In case you don't know the story, here is a little background. Moses was the leader of the people of Israel. Through the help of God, He led the people out if slavery and into the desert for 40 years. Why the desert you asks. Well God had promised them the land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, but as the people were checking it out, they got scared. Because they did not trust God to go before them, He made them wait in the desert, literally right outside a better land. 40 years go by, and the scared generation has all died off, except for 2 individuals, Joshua and Caleb. Joshua was Moses' predecessor who took up his mantle after Moses died. Like Moses, Joshua sends men into the city of Jericho, the first city over the Jordan river. The men come back and report that the people of the city are terrified of them, like the older generation was terrified of the Canaanites. So, like any Christian should do when a tough situation arises, Joshua excused himself from camp and went off by himself to pray. As he was praying, an angel of the Lord appeared before him and laid out this simple plan to him. Walk around the city once a day fro 6 days, and on the 7th day, walk around 7 times. After you finish the 7th time, shout as loud as you can. The walls of Jericho will then fall down. Hold on a second. Big wall in front of me, surrounding a large city, and a group of people following me wherever I lead them and you want me to tell them just to a little bit. Ok God, clearly you know what is best. Here we go. So Joshua leads the people around the wall. During the first 6 days, the people walk in silence. Not a word, not a sound. I can imagine that this caused a lot of buzz within the walls of the city. "Hey, come look over here. Its those Israelites walking around our wall. What do you think they want?" "Hey, you Israelite. What are you doing?" Thanks to Veggie tales, I can't picture this scene without seeing little peas in soldier caps mocking and throwing slushies on the heads of the people. Through all the mocking and calling out, the people stay silent. Finally, the 7th day comes around. The Israelites walk around the wall. 1st, 2nd, 3rd time around. 4th, 5th, 6th and their still walking. The people of Jericho are probably wondering what is about to happen. We get no indication of fear or pride from the people. At last, the people walk around the final time. This time, they stop, and at once, they shout like they have never shouted before. The people of Jericho are probably scared for a moment, but when nothing happens at first, they begin to laugh. " Wait, is that it? Was that your whole plan? Walk the city a few times then shout? You Israelites really are...Did you feel that? Has that brick always been out of place? Uh oh!"
After the people shouted a victory shout, God began taking apart the wall in a matter of moments. he people went into the city and plundered it. Has God ever told you to walk the path he has given you to walk? "But God, how can walking fix anything?" Sometimes, in order to get a path straight through your problem, you have to walk around it a few times to show it who is really in charge. Then, when the time is right, you shout as if you have already won, and God will take care of the rest.
Keep Walking, God will continue to lay out the path as long as you continue to follow it.
Adam Semple- A Young Man On A Mission
photo credit- Veggie tales Josh and The Big Wall
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