Over the last few weeks we have been studying those events that immediately precede the most well known story in the Book of Joshua, the mighty fall of the walls of Jericho. And this coming Lord’s Day we will consider the precise plan that the Lord gave to Joshua for the conquest of the city—their first objective in the actual possession of the land that He had promised to Abraham and his descendants so long ago.

As we reflect upon the rather strange details of the plan of battle (vv. 3-7), let us remember that the Lord had given to Joshua and the Covenant people a most marvelous and reassuring promise of complete victory—And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor” (v. 2). Such a wonderful promise as this was no small thing, for the Word of the Lord was the very foundation of their hope. Without this Word, without this clear and definitive message from the Lord God Almighty, there would be nothing to guide them, nothing to believe in, and no reason to anticipate victory over such a formidable enemy! Truly, the Covenant people had to decide right there and then to be a people who were always “standing on the promises of God.”

As you prepare for worship, carefully read this story again (vv. 3-21), and join me in prayer that our Lord will teach us the rich truths of salvation from His inspired Book.