Marching Around Jericho

 

So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword. (Joshua 6:20-21 ESV).

 

Our reading today is actually a mere snippet of the entire story found in this portion of the Book of Joshua. As we observe Israel marching around Jericho, following the Lord’s orders and bearing the ark of God’s covenant, we are witnessing what could be called a worship procession. The Israelites are declaring they are loyal to God and will worship him alone. And any who rebel and refuse to worship the true God will be lost. Gospel centered worship is an essential for all believers.

 

It is in worship that we gather around God’s Word. In worship we may invite this Word, sharper than any two-edged sword, to cut to the marrow of our existence, to lay bare our sin and grief (cf. Hebrews 4:12-13). Worship reminds us that we have been conquered by the sword of the Spirit, that resisting God with all our heart and strength has no effect. As Christian worshipers, we want and need to be reminded that God has conquered us. Similarly, Israel, marching around Jericho, showed that the Lord had conquered them and had made them his own. And on the seventh day of their marching, the Lord would claim Jericho as his own.

 

In worship we may also gather in the presence of the same God who rescued his people from Egypt, marched around Jericho’s walls, and defeated the power of death on the cross. In worship God renews us; our praise and prayer proclaim the sovereignty of the God who is on his way in our world to reclaim people gone astray. And at the last trumpet, when Christ returns, every knee in every city of the world will bow, to the glory of God.

 

While it may be difficult for you to gather corporately in worship, we should take advantage of the many opportunities to gather vicariously with others who are a part of the community of faith. The advance of technology has provided a means to gather in worship. We must take this part of our faith life seriously. If you’ve been away, make it your commitment to return this week. Whether in person or not, don’t miss another day watching the walls come tumbling down!