按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
appearance the struggle to gain possession of the land must be long and
difficult。 It was inhabited by a powerful race； who stood ready to oppose
the invasion of their territory。 The various tribes were bound together by
the fear of a common danger。 Their horses and iron battle chariots； their
knowledge of the country； and their training in war； would give them great
advantage。 Furthermore； the country was guarded by fortresses〃cities great
and fenced up to heaven。〃 Deuteronomy 9：1。 Only in the assurance of a
strength not their own could the Israelites hope for success in the
impending conflict。
One of the strongest fortresses in the landthe large and wealthy city of
Jericholay just before them； but a little distance from their camp at
Gilgal。 On the border of a fertile plain abounding with the rich and varied
productions of the tropics； its palaces and temples the abode of luxury and
vice； this proud city； behind its massive battlements； offered defiance to
the God of Israel。 Jericho was one of the principal seats of idol worship；
being especially devoted to Ashtaroth； the goddess of the moon。 Here
centered all that was vilest and most degrading in the religion of the
Canaanites。 The people of Israel； in whose minds were fresh the fearful
results of their sin at Beth…peor； could look upon this heathen city only
with disgust and horror。
To reduce Jericho was seen by Joshua to be the first step in the conquest of
Canaan。 But first of all he sought an assurance of divine guidance； and it
was granted him。 Withdrawing from the encampment to meditate and to pray
that the God of Israel would go before His people； he beheld an armed
warrior； of lofty stature and commanding presence； 〃with his sword drawn in
his hand。〃 To Joshua's challenge； 〃Art thou for us； or for
488
our adversaries？〃 the answer was given； 〃As Captain of the host of the Lord
am I now come。〃 The same command given to Moses in Horeb； 〃Loose thy shoe
from off thy foot； for the place whereon thou standest is holy；〃 revealed
the true character of the mysterious stranger。 It was Christ； the Exalted
One； who stood before the leader of Israel。 Awe…stricken； Joshua fell upon
his face and worshiped； and heard the assurance； 〃I have given into thine
hand Jericho； and the king thereof； and the mighty men of valor；〃 and he
received instruction for the capture of the city。
In obedience to the divine command Joshua marshaled the armies of Israel。 No
assault was to be made。 They were simply to make the circuit of the city；
bearing the ark of God and blowing upon trumpets。 First came the warriors； a
body of chosen men； not now to conquer by their own skill and prowess； but
by obedience to the directions given them from God。 Seven priests with
trumpets followed。 Then the ark of God； surrounded by a halo of divine
glory； was borne by priests clad in the dress denoting their sacred office。
The army of Israel followed； each tribe under its standard。 Such was the
procession that compassed the doomed city。 No sound was heard but the tread
of that mighty host and the solemn peal of the trumpets； echoing among the
hills and resounding through the streets of Jericho。 The circuit completed；
the army returned in silence to their tents； and the ark was restored to its
place in the tabernacle。
With wonder and alarm the watchmen of the city marked every move； and
reported to those in authority。 They knew not the meaning of all this
display； but when they beheld that mighty host marching around their city
once each day； with the sacred ark and the attendant priests； the mystery of
the scene struck terror to the hearts of priest and people。 Again they would
inspect their strong defenses； feeling certain they could successfully
resist the most powerful attack。 Many ridiculed the thought that any harm
could come to them through these singular demonstrations。 Others were awed
as they beheld the procession that each day wound about the city。 They
remembered that the Red Sea had once parted before this people； and that a
passage had just been opened for them through the river Jordan。 They knew
not what further wonders God might work for them。
For six days the host of Israel made the circuit of the city。 The seventh
day came； and with the first dawn of light； Joshua marshaled the armies of
the Lord。 Now they were directed to
491
march seven times around Jericho； and at a mighty peal from the trumpets to
shout with a loud voice； for God had given them the city。
The vast army marched solemnly around the devoted walls。 All was silent；
save the measured tread of many feet； and the occasional sound of the
trumpet； breaking the stillness of the early morning。 The massive walls of
solid stone seemed to defy the siege of men。 The watchers on the walls
looked on with rising fear； as； the first circuit ended； there followed a
second； then a third； a fourth； a fifth； a sixth。 What could be the object
of these mysterious movements？ What mighty event was impending？ They had not
long to wait。 As the seventh circuit was completed； the long procession
paused； The trumpets； which for an interval had been silent； now broke forth
in a blast that shook the very earth。 The walls of solid stone； with their
massive towers and battlements； tottered and heaved from their foundations；
and with a crash fell in ruin to the earth。 The inhabitants of Jericho were
paralyzed with terror； and the hosts of Israel marched in and took
possession of the city。
The Israelites had not gained the victory by their own power； the conquest
had been wholly the Lord's； and as the first fruits of the land； the city；
with all that it contained； was to be devoted as a sacrifice to God。 It was
to be impressed upon Israel that in the conquest of Canaan they were not to
fight for themselves； but simply as instruments to execute the will of God；
not to seek for riches or self…exaltation； but the glory of Jehovah their
King。 Before the capture the command had been given； 〃The city shall be
accursed； even it； and all that are therein。〃 〃Keep yourselves from the
accursed thing； lest ye make yourselves accursed 。 。 。 and make the camp of
Israel a curse； and trouble it。〃
All the inhabitants of the city； with every living thing that it contained；
〃both man and woman； young and old； and ox； and sheep； and ass；〃 were put to
the sword。 Only faithful Rahab； with her household； was spared； in
fulfillment of the promise of the spies。 The city itself was burned； its
palaces and temples； its magnificent dwellings with all their luxurious
appointments； the rich draperies and the costly garments； were given to the
flames。 That which could not be destroyed by fire； 〃the silver； and the
gold； and the vessels of brass and of iron；〃 was to be devoted to the
service of the tabernacle。 The very site of the city was accursed； Jericho
was never to be rebuilt
492
as a stronghold； judgments were threatened upon anyone who should presume to
restore the walls that divine power had cast down。 The solemn declaration
was made in the presence of all Israel； 〃Cursed be the man before the Lord；