There Is a Plan

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Opening Prayer

God of surprises, be present with me today in ways I cannot imagine; in love and power and in compassion and kindness.

Read Joshua 6:1–11

^[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.

Meditate

God’s clocks keep perfect time! When we remember this, we are less likely to be impatient.

Think Further

One of the key lessons Joshua was having to learn was obedience. It was

right there in his commissioning by God (1:7,8). He had the Book of the Law from Moses and

was to mull it over, meditate on it and above all obey. But God also spoke to him with specific

instructions. As we see in today’s reading, some of them seemed quite strange! What is striking

is Joshua’s unquestioning obedience. He had learned—and continued to learn—that God’s plan

can always be trusted.

Jericho—literally Moon City!—was a strategically placed oasis just north of the Dead Sea. With

Joshua and the Israelites nearby the inhabitants ran scared and shut up shop (1). They had heard

what God had done for Joshua and his people. Still, Joshua didn’t do anything immediately. He

was waiting for instructions. The memory of his meeting with the commander of the Lord’s army

was very recent (5:13–15).

But then they came! Daily marching, trumpets, the Ark—it wouldn’t be unlike the wilderness

experience. Was this some kind of mind game to beat Jericho psychologically? Possibly, but

more importantly it was a spiritual exercise to test and train God’s people in obedience.

Just as when they crossed the Jordan, God’s plan was that he would lead the way. The Ark of the

Covenant was his presence with them. Joshua knew that true spiritual leaders humbly pass on

what God has said. That’s just what he did (6,7). And having learned these lessons before, the

priests and the people also obeyed (8,9). Perhaps they were itching to attack, but the instruction

had not yet come. They had to remain quiet (10). Waiting for God’s next instructions can be

hard, but it’s much better than rushing ahead without them.

One of the key lessons Joshua was having to learn was obedience. It was right there in his commissioning by God (1:7,8). He had the Book of the Law from Moses and was to mull it over, meditate on it and above all obey. But God also spoke to him with specific instructions. As we see in today’s reading, some of them seemed quite strange! What is striking
is Joshua’s unquestioning obedience. He had learned—and continued to learn—that God’s plan can always be trusted.
Jericho—literally Moon City!—was a strategically placed oasis just north of the Dead Sea. With Joshua and the Israelites nearby the inhabitants ran scared and shut up shop (1). They had heard what God had done for Joshua and his people. Still, Joshua didn’t do anything immediately. He was waiting for instructions. The memory of his meeting with the commander of the Lord’s army was very recent (5:13–15). But then they came! Daily marching, trumpets, the Ark—it wouldn’t be unlike the wilderness experience. Was this some kind of mind game to beat Jericho psychologically? Possibly, but more importantly it was a spiritual exercise to test and train God’s people in obedience. Just as when they crossed the Jordan, God’s plan was that he would lead the way. The Ark of the Covenant was his presence with them. Joshua knew that true spiritual leaders humbly pass on what God has said. That’s just what he did (6,7). And having learned these lessons before, the
priests and the people also obeyed (8,9). Perhaps they were itching to attack, but the instruction had not yet come. They had to remain quiet (10). Waiting for God’s next instructions can be hard, but it’s much better than rushing ahead without them.

Apply

Think back to a time in your life when God kept you waiting. How did you cope? What was the outcome? What did you learn?

Closing prayer

“Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart” (Psa. 119:34).

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