When Joshua was near Jericho, God gave him instructions on how to gain victory over the city. He told him to have the priests carry the ark, and all the musicians and Levites would follow, and all the armies of Israel would follow them. This multitude would walk around Jericho each day for six days in total silence. On the seventh day they would walk around 7 times, and give a shout to God, then the walls would fall down and the army would go into the city and take it. The only people to be spared would be Rahab and her household. They would only take the silver and gold and put them into the treasury. Then Joshua shared this plan with the Israelites, and they carried it out, and it all happened as God said it would. They burned the city and Joshua declared that whoever rebuilt it would lay its foundations with the life of their children.
However, Achan sinned and kept some of the accursed things from Jericho. When Joshua led a small band to take the next city in Canaan, Ai, they turned back the men who came and killed nearly forty men. God’s anger was aroused against Israel due to the sin of Achan. The hearts of the people melted, and Joshua fell before the Lord asking for guidance.
When God gives instructions and God’s people follow those instructions, victory comes. When we deviate from God’s instructions, defeat can come. It is not necessarily God punishing us, but can be. It can also be that God allows us to see what we can accomplish without Him. Do not go to battle, do not start a new initiative, do not build a house until you have first heard God’s instructions. Once you have your marching orders, obey them and be blessed!
Devoted To You 