The Walls of Jericho || Bible Stories || Joshua and the walls of Jericho

A long time ago, in the Promised Land, there was a mighty man called Joshua. He was the leader in the army of the Israelites and was dedicated to fulfilling the word of God. The Israelites were wandering the desert for 40 years for their disobedience and the sins they committed. Throughout history, God has promised his people the land of Israel. After the death of Moses, God chose Joshua, son of Nun, to be the leader of the Israelite people. Joshua led his people across the land, and eventually they came to the large city of The city had high and formidable walls that nobody could climb. On top of this tall wall stood soldiers, ready to attack all the time. The people living in the city didn't care about God's word at all. When Joshua and the rest of the Israelites arrived at Jericho, Joshua knew that they had to come up with a plan. He ordered two spies to secretly enter the city and try to find any information that could help the Israelites capture the city and make it their own. Spies, I need you to go to Jericho and look for anything that might help us take over Jericho as God wishes. Find out what you can, but don't get caught. All right, we'll do our best and try to make sure that nobody notices us. The spies successfully made their way into Jericho and began their secret mission. Luckily, once they were inside the city, they were helped by a kind woman named Rahab. Rahab's home was built just beside the city wall, so the spies were able to use it as a lookout point. From there, they could see the city's defense and understood how the soldiers of Jericho were protecting the city walls. This would allow them to create a plan to fight the city guards. As the spies gathered their information, Rahab hid them in the straw of her roof and kept them safe. After the spies had gotten their information and were ready to head back and tell Joshua what they had seen, Rahab asked them to remember her kindness. I know that the Lord has promised you this land and that great destruction might come to the city of Jericho when it becomes yours. Please, do not forget the kindness I've shown you and how I've kept you safe. The spies were grateful for Rahab's shelter and promised her that they would not forget the help she had shown the people of God. They told her to tie a red piece of cloth from her window and let it hang outside for them to see. That way, when they took the city, they would remember where she lived and make sure that her and her family were safe. Thank you and good luck. The Israelites are coming! Ahhh! What are we going to do? The leaders of Jericho came to understand that the Israelites meant to take over the city, and knew that they must do everything in their power to prevent this. They locked down the entire city, so nobody could come in and nobody could come out. With no access to the city, Joshua had to come up with a plan on how they might take Jericho, even though it was surrounded by mighty stone walls. But then God came and spoke to Joshua, and told him exactly what he must do to take the city. Joshua, there is a way for you to take Jericho. You must organize the people of Israel in this order. First, the armed guards with their weapons. Then, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. In front of the Ark, place seven priests blowing trumpets. And finally, more soldiers and the rest of the Israelite people. And what must we do? Each day, you must march around the city walls in total silence for six days. Only the trumpets may blow. Then, on the seventh day, march around seven times. And on the seventh time, the people of Israel must let out a mighty shout and blow the trumpets once more. Follow these instructions, and Jericho will be yours. Joshua heard God's instructions and was determined to follow them. He gathered all of God's people and told them the plan. And so, the people of Israel listened to Joshua's instructions carefully. You shall not shout or make any noise, nor shall a word come from your mouth, until I say to you, Shout! The next day, they marched toward the city, just like God instructed. The armed men led the march, followed by the priests with the covenant, then the priests with the trumpets, and then the rest of God's people. And so they began. For six days, the people of Israel marched around the walls of Jericho. Nobody uttered a word, and the only noise was the sound of the priests blowing their horns. The people of Jericho could see what the Israelites were doing, and could not understand what they were witnessing. But still, each day they followed God's instructions to march in silence. And then, finally, on the seventh day, God's people marched around the city walls seven times. And on the seventh time, Joshua gave the signal, and they all let out a yell as loud as they could. Shout! All of God's people cried out as one, and created a mighty shout that shook the air. The sound was so powerful that the city walls began to break apart and crumble. The Israelites had followed God's careful instructions, and sure enough, the city of Jericho was falling to them. And so God's people made their way through the destroyed city of Jericho. As they explored the city, the spies saw the red cloth hanging from a window, and remembered their promise to Rahab. We have to go tell Joshua about Rahab, and the promise we made to her. Rahab, are you there? This is Rahab. She helped us when we came to the city to look for information. She kept us safe, and in return, we promised to keep her and her family safe once we captured the city. You have helped God fulfill his promises, and so you will be safe. And so, Rahab and her family were spared from the destruction of Jericho, and lived on safely with one another. The Israelites were now fulfilling God's prophecy that God would take them to their promised land. Once Jericho fell, God's people continued to make their way through the vast open desert. It was when God's people followed his instructions and cried out that the mighty walls of Jericho collapsed. Joshua and his fellow people understood that such a victory could only come from following God's instructions, and having total trust in God's word. God rewarded his people's faith by tearing down the walls of Jericho, and even to this day, the mighty walls of Jericho have never been rebuilt.