The Battle Belongs to God
Joshua 6:1-14
📖 Scripture
1 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.
12 Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.
13 Seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the Lord and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets kept sounding.
14 So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.
🧭 Scripture Summary
The Lord tells Joshua that He has delivered Jericho into the hands of the Israelites. The armed men are to march around the city once a day for six days, followed by priests carrying the ark and trumpets. On the seventh day, they are to march seven times. The armed guard is to remain silent while the priests blow the trumpets, until Joshua instructs them to shout.
📜 Memory Verse
“Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!”
– Joshua 6:16
💡 Reflection
Following God’s Instructions (6:1–7)
The city of Jericho stands securely barred, seemingly impossible to conquer. Yet God declares that He has already given Jericho into Israel’s hands. Victory is assured if His people follow the unusual instructions of marching around the city for six days, and on the seventh day, marching seven times and shouting. We often face situations that feel impossible, but God sees from a completely different perspective. He leads His people in unexpected ways, and our role is to stay close to Him, listen, and follow.
Think about the difficult situations you are facing. Ask God to reveal how He will lead you through them.
Patient and Obedient (6:8–14)
The Israelites march faithfully for six days just as God instructed. The ark of the covenant is placed at the center, symbolizing that God is at the center of the battle. The priests blow the trumpets, but the army remains silent, showing patience and obedience. In our own battles, we often want instant results, but God leads us at His pace. When we follow His timing and His ways, we experience His victories.
In what areas are you feeling impatient about God’s promises? Ask Him for patience and obedience.
🌿 Today’s Inspiration
“Yahweh himself issues the command for Israel to attack … but he alone actually fights and wins the victory. Israel is simply to trust Yahweh for victory, not depend on their own devices.”
– Robert L. Hubbard, Jr.
🙏 Prayer
Heavenly Father, I put my trust in You and in Your goodness to bring me to Your glorious victory. Instruct me through my daily battles, and help me to humble myself as I listen and patiently endure in obedience to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
🖋 Essay
Fighting God’s Way
On the mission field, I recently realized that I tend to have a task-oriented approach while many on my team are more relational. I believed my approach was right, but tension and misunderstandings grew. I thought reconciliation was impossible until God revealed my own pride and stubbornness. I believed standing firm was the right answer, but God showed me that the true answer was humility.
Circling around Jericho must have seemed like a strange way to win a battle, yet Joshua and the Israelites obey without questioning. When we acknowledge God’s wisdom, we declare that His way is better. In doing so, we become effective in facing our own battles—even in unexpected ways. Today, may we seek breakthrough by fighting His way, not ours.
Written by Juyoung Kim