Joshua 5-8 / March 23 (Day 83)

Joshua 5:13: “When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand…” Joshua confronted the pre-incarnate Christ as a man of war before going up to Jericho. As Joshua lay on his face worshiping with sandals off, the Lord gives Joshua direction for taking this first city in chapter 6:1-5.

Jericho was the first city the LORD was giving to Israel, therefore Jericho would be a “first fruits” offering to the LORD. They were to burn the city and bring the precious metals into the treasury of the LORD, not taking any of it for them self. They were able to take the plunder of future cities for themselves.

Joshua 6:25, in the King James Version says, “And Joshua (Yeshua) saved Rahab the harlot alive.” As God’s people join together in faith today, we will see cites taken for God and the “Rahab’s” will be saved by Yeshua.

Chapter 7
I’ve heard it said that some of the greatest defeats happened after great victories. It is important we don’t lose humility after victory and loose the grace needed to win again. Israel took Jericho after the LORD gave them His instruction for taking it, but they first tried to take the city of Ai with their own plan. Yes, they were defeated because someone had taken of the “devoted things” in Jericho, but if they would have sought the LORD, He would have told them this.