Strange Strategies

As Israel prepares to attack Jericho, the city is “securely shut up … none went out, and none came in.” The Canaanite residents of the city, realizing that they cannot fight against the overwhelming might of the God who accompanies Israel, and apparently understanding that Israel is under divine instruction to reject any peace proposal, have placed their hopes for survival in Jericho’s massive walls.

Commentators are divided about this verse and today’s passage. Some believe 6:1 begins a new episode separate from the incident that concludes chapter 5. Others see this passage as a continuation of the conversation begun in 5:13, with 6:1 as an aside. This is Matthew Henry’s view. He believes that 6:1 is something of an expression of the question that is occupying Joshua’s mind: How will Israel get past those massive walls to take the city? God, in the form of the Commander, immediately puts this question to rest, saying, “ ‘I have given Jericho into your hand.’ ” It is as if God says to Joshua: “Yes, those walls are too massive for Israel’s armies to overcome. But fear not, they will not hinder Me. I will take care of them and the city shall be yours.” In fact, the defeat of Jericho has been determined in the divine counsel, and that is such a sure thing that God can say He already has given the city over to Israel.

God then gives the plan of “battle” for the taking of the city: Israel’s armies shall march around Jericho once a day for six days and seven times on the seventh day. In their midst, the Levitical priests shall carry the ark of the covenant, symbolizing God’s presence, and seven priests shall go before it sounding rams’ horns. But the mighty warriors of Israel shall do nothing except march; they shall not even speak, for this is not their battle but God’s. Finally, on the seventh day, after the seventh march around the city, there is to be a great trumpet blast and then the people are to shout. With that, God promises, the great walls of Jericho will fall and Israel will be able to go up and take the city.

The Israelites apparently make the first march that very day. And for a full week thereafter they follow God’s bizarre orders and circle the city, perhaps enduring taunts from the walls without responding, perhaps wondering whether a straightforward siege might not work better, until they complete the seventh march on the seventh day.