The back story...
Before Israel would conquer Jericho, spies were sent to that city. They met a woman, named Rahab.
Who was Rahab?
- a prostitute in the city of Jericho, a believer in God, and...
- the ancestor of Jesus Christ
Rahab told the spies,
“I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Joshua 2:9-11
Why were the inhabitants of Jericho so scared of Israel?
Why did these people acknowledge about the God of Israel?
Important Point: The Canaanites recognized that it was the LORD God who had performed the mighty miracles and that had already given the Israelites the land. Yet, they were still not willing to give up their demonic gods (except Rahab).
What led the Israelites across the Jordan River?
The Ark of the Covenant
The ark of the covenant was a rectangle-shaped box made of acacia wood and overlayed with gold. It had two angels on top with wings spread out. Inside, the ark contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a jar of manna. The top of the ark was called the mercy seat. This seat was sprinkled with blood from the altar. After this preparation was made, God would come and presence Himself on this ark. This is where He "sat down."
Dimensions of the ark of the covenant: 52" x 31" x 31"
Joshua 6:1-11
Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.
2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”
6 So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.” 7 And he ordered the army, “Advance ! March around the city, with an armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD.”
8 When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD’s covenant followed them. 9 The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. 10 But Joshua had commanded the army, “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout! ” 11 So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the army returned to camp and spent the night there. Joshua 6:1-11
E. The ark of the covenant
Why? The ark of the covenant represented God's glory. It was the visible manifestation of His presence. This is what all of the Canaanites knew had such power and performed such incredible miracles. The Israelites themselves had no power. They were only instructed to carry the ark of the covenant around Jericho. They were carriers of God's glory. It was the glory of God that made the difference.
We carry the glory of God in our bodies.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
Why do we carry God's glory?
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1-3
God wants to draw the nations to Himself through His glory on you!
Take some time to ask God for a greater filling of the Holy Spirit and to see more of His glory at work in your life. Use the following worship song as you pray.