I’m fairly confident most of us who grew up in the church have a whole collection of children’s Bible songs in our brains, ready to surface when we read Scripture—at least, I know I do. And every time I read Joshua 6, I hear little kids’ voices from my past, singing:
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho
Jericho, Jericho
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho
And the walls came a-tumblin’ down
But stories like this one in Joshua can be more troubling to read than the song might suggest. Destruction is disorienting when what we long for is peace. I find it helpful to ask what passages like this teach us about God’s character. What does He want us to know about Him?
In this story, we see Joshua lead the Israelites to enter the promised land. It appears this will unequivocally be Israel’s victory tale—until Joshua comes face to face with a mysterious man with a sword, drawn and ready. Whose side is he on: Israel’s or their enemy’s? “‘Neither,’ he replied. ‘I have now come as commander of the LORD’s army’” (Joshua 5:14). This battle, then, is the Lord’s. So, the real question is, whose side is Joshua on?
Some say this figure is an angel, and others believe he is God Himself. Regardless, we know this soldier represents God’s presence. The commander’s first instruction? “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy” (Joshua 5:15; Exodus 3:2–6). And Joshua does that, declaring where his allegiance truly is.
The Lord gives Joshua a set of specific instructions: march around the city walls every morning with priests and trumpets and the Ark of the Covenant, then return to camp without saying a word. No battle cries or attacks. Just presence, day after day.
On the seventh day, Israel let out the final trumpet blasts and Joshua gave them permission to “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city.” (Joshua 6:16) We see Joshua’s utter trust that God will keep the promises to Abraham, Moses, and to him. The stronghold of Jericho’s walls collapses. There’s destruction, yes, but also enduring mercy for Rahab (v.25). Perhaps, then, this is the story of victory within some grander mission—the tale of God’s people who come to possess what God had long-promised them, a gift truly worthy of their shouts.
Whose victory do we long to see? We are called to fight the battles the Lord calls us to, which are “not against flesh and blood, but against…evil, spiritual forces in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12). God is faithful. If He’s called us to something, He’s already very much in it with us, fighting for what He has promised. And if God is for us, who can stand against us?
So Awesome is our God! This song was on my mind this morning called, There is Another in the Fire. Here is a link; https://youtu.be/ScK3v5gcBK0
So powerful and beautiful! Thought I’d share! May we be more in awe of Him each day and give Him praise that only He is due! He is Good and His merry endure forever! There is None above Him!
Another In The Fire
VERSE 1
There’s a grace when the heart is under fire
Another way when the walls are closing in
And when I look at the space between
Where I used to be and this reckoning
I know I will never be alone
CHORUS
There was another in the fire
Standing next to me
There was another in the waters
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
Of how I’ve been set free
There is a cross that bears the burden
Where another died for me
TAG
There is another in the fire
VERSE 2
All my debt left for dead beneath the waters
I’m no longer a slave to my sin anymore
And should I fall in the space between
What remains of me and this reckoning
Either way I won’t bow
To the things of this world
And I know I will never be alone
CHORUS 2
There is another in the fire
Standing next to me
There is another in the waters
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
What power set me free
There is a grave that holds no body
And now that power lives in me
BRIDGE
And I can see the light in the darkness
As the darkness bows to Him
I can hear the roar in the heavens
As the space between wears thin
I can feel the ground shake beneath us
As the prison walls cave in
Nothing stands between us
Nothing stands between us
VERSE 3
There is no other name
But the Name that is Jesus
He who was and still is
And will be through it all
So come what may in the space between
All the things unseen and this reckoning
I know I will never be alone
CHORUS 3
There’ll be another in the fire
Standing next to me
There’ll be another in the waters
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
How good You’ve been to me
I’ll count the joy come every battle
‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be
Words and Music by Chris Davenport & Joel Houston
© 2018 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI: 7124907
“There’s destruction yes, but also enduring mercy”. WOW.
Thank you for sharing that definitely helped me :)
Caroline Bridges- Oh! Yes ! He’s got the whole world in His hands! The little bitty babies, you and me brother, and on.
The church instead in a battle like never been seen before rt now!! We need to remember our God can part the seas and bring down walls. So He has us! He has this! We just need to step forward with NO fear!! God does not work in fear!! If God is for us, who can be against us!! Meaning NO ONE, NO PANDEMICcan bring God’s bride down!! We can March just like Joshua n the Israelite’s!!!
Well said!!
Amen! This is so good!
For those sharing that they struggle with the violence depicted here, that’s where I am too. It’s hard for me to celebrate death and destruction, even of the “bad guys”. I sit with that tension while reading a lot of the Old Testament, especially when referring to mass killings, children being killed, women being raped, slavery talked about so casually, etc. On cursory reading, it doesn’t fit in with my idea of a loving God that seeks to redeem His creation. I read an article (it was a quick read!) by Andrew Judd… “Thinking Through Old Testament Violence” and it gave me some points to consider that help me reconcile some of the seemingly contradictory truths that I’ve been wrestling with. I just wanted to share in case it helps anyone else too! A google search will bring it right up. I’m thankful for this community where we can share, learn, explore, wrestle, and work out our faith (even the tricky parts) together. Happy Friday, ladies!
What a glorious victory. I agree that the war tactics sound somewhat ridiculous with the silent marching for 6 days straight. The people within the Jericho city must have looked on and mocked the Israelites. But I notice how stern Joshua was when he commanded, when I bid you to shout, then you can shout. Praise God for stern God-fearing leadership. A story I learnt from this lesson is that, though a promise is given, we still need to fight to take ownership. A promised land is not easily available without a fight. King David was anointed king, but he still had to fight to get that kingship from Saul …for years. What is your “promised land”? Let us fight to get our “promised land”, may it be our healing, may be it our marriage or children, etc. Take your promised land. The stronghold of the enemy- “that thick wall” shall crumble down, for our victory, because God will be fighting for us. A side note, archaeological evidence shows the surround city walls of Jericho were 6 feet thick at base, and 12 feet high. All that sturdy structure just fell straight down. God is real. His prophetic instruction is real. Just loud shouting and trumpet won’t cut it. Hallelujah!!!!Thank you Lord for bringing us the victory over our enemies.