Down Come the Walls
Scripture Reading: Joshua 6:1-20
1 Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none
came in. 2 And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and
the mighty men of valor. 3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all
around the city once. This you shall do six days. 4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets
of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven
times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long
blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall
shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up
every man straight before him.”
6 Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the
covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the
LORD.” 7 And he said to the people, “Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is
armed advance before the ark of the LORD.”
8 So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven
trumpets of rams’ horns before the LORD advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the
covenant of the LORD followed them. 9 The armed men went before the priests who blew the
trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the
trumpets. 10 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make
any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you,
‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.” 11 So he had the ark of the LORD circle the city, going around it
once. Then they came into the camp and lodged in the camp.
12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. 13 Then
seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on
continually and blew with the trumpets. And the armed men went before them. But the rear
guard came after the ark of the LORD, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. 14 And
the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. So they did six
days.
15 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day,
and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched
around the city seven times. 16 And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the
trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the LORD has given you the city! 17 Now
the city shall be doomed by the LORD to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the
harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers
that we sent. 18 And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become
accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and
trouble it. 19 But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the
LORD; they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.”
20 So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people
heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell
down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took
the city.
You may think we're going to be studying Israel's great victory in Jericho, but that's
not it at all. The account starts with Jericho recognizing that they were in big trouble.
Israel's reputation had preceded them to this point. The children of Jacob had been
out in that wilderness for forty years because they feared the obstacles in their way of
possessing the Promised Land more than they trusted Yahweh. But while they were
out there in the wilderness, God had been with them through some major victories
and there is no doubt that the people of Jericho had heard about them. There was
likely an entire generation of Jericho's residents that had grown up hearing stories of
these wilderness wanderers and their many victories, and now they had their sights
set on Jericho. It says they had shut the city up tight because of the Israelites. No
one went in and no one came out. God tells them He has given them into their hands
and He tells them exactly what they must do to triumph.
But here's the thing. Nothing He tells them to do makes sense, in the natural.
Marching around the city once a day for six and then seven times on the seventh
day. It makes no logical sense, but remember that this generation of Israel had grown
up knowing the value of trusting God no matter what. And just like they had a 'no
matter what' moment we spoke of last week that they failed, this was their moment to
have a 'no matter what' moment and pass, or so it seems on the surface. They did
exactly what the LORD Yahweh had required and the walls fell straight down. So, you
think that completed their victory but it didn't. Before they went in to take the city they
were told not to take anything for themselves because if they did, it would cause the
entire camp of Israel to be cursed. That seems pretty straight forward. It was one of
those simple commands like don't eat the fruit of this one tree. And this is where they
were defeated. This one little failure turned a great victory into a horrible defeat. But
here's the thing; they didn't even know it.
Joshua 7:1-4
1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the
son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed
things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel.
2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of
Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the country.” So the men went up and
spied out Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up, but
let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for
the people of Ai are few.” 4 So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but
they fled before the men of Ai.
They went up against the enemy in Ai and got whooped. They were under the curse
but it was a hidden one. You see most would just look at the deeds of this man Achan
but there really is more to their defeat in Ai than that. For the battle against Ai, they
had sent spies and took their opinion in the matter but they had not sought the
counsel of the only One who really knew what they should do; Yahweh. This may
have been a very different account if they had simply gone to their true source from
the beginning. He could have told them before going to Ai that there was an accursed
thing in their midst so they could have sought that thing out which would have saved
the lives of those thirty-six who fell as they were fleeing from the enemy in Ai. I don't
think Achan was an extra bad person.
Joshua 7:20-21
20 And Achan answered Joshua and said, “Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of
Israel, and this is what I have done: 21 When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian
garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted
them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the
silver under it.”
He seems repentant but look at what his hidden sin had already caused. Thirty-six
men from the Israelites army had already been slain, because of his poor choice. But
it was about to get worse for him.
Joshua 7:24-26
24 Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the
wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he
had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. 25 And Joshua said, “Why have you troubled
us? The LORD will trouble you this day.” So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned
them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. 26 Then they raised over him a great
heap of stones, still there to this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger.
Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day.
His sin that he had thought was so well hidden had not only cost the lives of those
thirty-six men, but also the lives of his children and himself. We have discussed the
fact that sin has many consequences that are much more far reaching than just the
person that sins and this is an example of that. But it's also an example of the fact
that all sin will be judged. Most times when we sin, it will seem like we're getting away
with something. Like maybe God is not really watching and there won't really be
consequences. That's the way it feels sometimes doesn't it? I can remember when I
was a teenager, I thought I was getting away with so much but evrything eventually
caught up with me. As I look back, in many ways, because I thought I was getting
away with so much only encouraged me to do more and more. All things that really
worked against me in the long run. Jesus warns us that everything will eventually
come out.
Luke 12:1-3
1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they
trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor
hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard
in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the
housetops.
There are many who have no problem living a life of hypocrisy. There's one side of
themselves that they show the world and another side that remains hidden. They let
themselves be puffed up with pride thinking that they have covered up the negative
things they have done. But according to Yeshua, there is nothing that is covered that
will not be revealed. It is all going to come out one way or another.
Revelation 20:12-13
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And
another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to
their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who
were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged,
each one according to his works.
Each one was judges according to his works; the things done in this life. All things
great and small that had been done in secret or out in the open. Everything! Now,
most say that this particular judgment is not for those who have been born again,
because Yeshua has atoned for our sin, covering them with His blood. That is true,
however, there will be a time when even the deeds of true believers will be put to the
test.
I Corinthians 3:11-15
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now
if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each
one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and
the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it
endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he
himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Once we come to Messiah, our sins are covered and we have a new foundation which
is Christ. It is up to us to build upon that firm foundation. Once again, things that
were thought to be secret will come to light in that Day, because it will be revealed by
fire. It won't take away our salvation but it will take away anything we've built up for
ourselves on false pretenses. God knows the heart. He knows what our motivations
are. If we give someone a backhanded compliment, He knows even if they don't pick
it up. Have you ever seen people who might pretend to be friends with someone, for
whatever reason? All things will be brought to light.
Matthew 12:36-37
36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the
day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be
condemned.”
Isaiah gives us fair warning.
Isaiah 5:20-24
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!
24 Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble,
And the flame consumes the chaff,
So their root will be as rottenness,
And their blossom will ascend like dust;
Because they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts,
And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
That pretty much says it all. Woe to those who call evil good, those who are wise in
their own eyes; who justify the wicked and take away justice from the righteous. This
account of this valley of Achan's judgement is a symbol of the valley of judgement
each and every believer will go through. We must be careful to never get deceived
into thinking that our success is our own doing so that we forget where our true
source comes from. We may have a victory that may be our own hidden defeat if we
let it make us prideful. The Valley of Achor, which means trouble, was a place that
showed the Israelites that trouble would come when God's commands are disgarded.
Though it may seem to be possible to hide a thing, it is truly impossible to hide from
God. Just like the walls of Jericho came down, so the walls we erect around our sin
will fall. Let us be aware that we are building upon this foundation of Messiah. Let us
take great care that we build with the right motivations; those things that will be tested
and found true by fire in that Great Day. Let's not be fooled into thinking that we are
getting away with anything, always remembering that God will not be mocked; what is
sown will be reaped.
Sermon by: Denise Baxley
Date: May 13, 2007
Scripture Reading: Joshua 6:1-20
1 Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none
came in. 2 And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and
the mighty men of valor. 3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all
around the city once. This you shall do six days. 4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets
of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven
times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long
blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall
shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up
every man straight before him.”
6 Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the
covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the
LORD.” 7 And he said to the people, “Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is
armed advance before the ark of the LORD.”
8 So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven
trumpets of rams’ horns before the LORD advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the
covenant of the LORD followed them. 9 The armed men went before the priests who blew the
trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the
trumpets. 10 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make
any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you,
‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.” 11 So he had the ark of the LORD circle the city, going around it
once. Then they came into the camp and lodged in the camp.
12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. 13 Then
seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on
continually and blew with the trumpets. And the armed men went before them. But the rear
guard came after the ark of the LORD, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. 14 And
the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. So they did six
days.
15 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day,
and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched
around the city seven times. 16 And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the
trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the LORD has given you the city! 17 Now
the city shall be doomed by the LORD to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the
harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers
that we sent. 18 And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become
accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and
trouble it. 19 But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the
LORD; they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.”
20 So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people
heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell
down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took
the city.
You may think we're going to be studying Israel's great victory in Jericho, but that's
not it at all. The account starts with Jericho recognizing that they were in big trouble.
Israel's reputation had preceded them to this point. The children of Jacob had been
out in that wilderness for forty years because they feared the obstacles in their way of
possessing the Promised Land more than they trusted Yahweh. But while they were
out there in the wilderness, God had been with them through some major victories
and there is no doubt that the people of Jericho had heard about them. There was
likely an entire generation of Jericho's residents that had grown up hearing stories of
these wilderness wanderers and their many victories, and now they had their sights
set on Jericho. It says they had shut the city up tight because of the Israelites. No
one went in and no one came out. God tells them He has given them into their hands
and He tells them exactly what they must do to triumph.
But here's the thing. Nothing He tells them to do makes sense, in the natural.
Marching around the city once a day for six and then seven times on the seventh
day. It makes no logical sense, but remember that this generation of Israel had grown
up knowing the value of trusting God no matter what. And just like they had a 'no
matter what' moment we spoke of last week that they failed, this was their moment to
have a 'no matter what' moment and pass, or so it seems on the surface. They did
exactly what the LORD Yahweh had required and the walls fell straight down. So, you
think that completed their victory but it didn't. Before they went in to take the city they
were told not to take anything for themselves because if they did, it would cause the
entire camp of Israel to be cursed. That seems pretty straight forward. It was one of
those simple commands like don't eat the fruit of this one tree. And this is where they
were defeated. This one little failure turned a great victory into a horrible defeat. But
here's the thing; they didn't even know it.
Joshua 7:1-4
1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the
son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed
things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel.
2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of
Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the country.” So the men went up and
spied out Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up, but
let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for
the people of Ai are few.” 4 So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but
they fled before the men of Ai.
They went up against the enemy in Ai and got whooped. They were under the curse
but it was a hidden one. You see most would just look at the deeds of this man Achan
but there really is more to their defeat in Ai than that. For the battle against Ai, they
had sent spies and took their opinion in the matter but they had not sought the
counsel of the only One who really knew what they should do; Yahweh. This may
have been a very different account if they had simply gone to their true source from
the beginning. He could have told them before going to Ai that there was an accursed
thing in their midst so they could have sought that thing out which would have saved
the lives of those thirty-six who fell as they were fleeing from the enemy in Ai. I don't
think Achan was an extra bad person.
Joshua 7:20-21
20 And Achan answered Joshua and said, “Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of
Israel, and this is what I have done: 21 When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian
garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted
them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the
silver under it.”
He seems repentant but look at what his hidden sin had already caused. Thirty-six
men from the Israelites army had already been slain, because of his poor choice. But
it was about to get worse for him.
Joshua 7:24-26
24 Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the
wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he
had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. 25 And Joshua said, “Why have you troubled
us? The LORD will trouble you this day.” So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned
them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. 26 Then they raised over him a great
heap of stones, still there to this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger.
Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day.
His sin that he had thought was so well hidden had not only cost the lives of those
thirty-six men, but also the lives of his children and himself. We have discussed the
fact that sin has many consequences that are much more far reaching than just the
person that sins and this is an example of that. But it's also an example of the fact
that all sin will be judged. Most times when we sin, it will seem like we're getting away
with something. Like maybe God is not really watching and there won't really be
consequences. That's the way it feels sometimes doesn't it? I can remember when I
was a teenager, I thought I was getting away with so much but evrything eventually
caught up with me. As I look back, in many ways, because I thought I was getting
away with so much only encouraged me to do more and more. All things that really
worked against me in the long run. Jesus warns us that everything will eventually
come out.
Luke 12:1-3
1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they
trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor
hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard
in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the
housetops.
There are many who have no problem living a life of hypocrisy. There's one side of
themselves that they show the world and another side that remains hidden. They let
themselves be puffed up with pride thinking that they have covered up the negative
things they have done. But according to Yeshua, there is nothing that is covered that
will not be revealed. It is all going to come out one way or another.
Revelation 20:12-13
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And
another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to
their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who
were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged,
each one according to his works.
Each one was judges according to his works; the things done in this life. All things
great and small that had been done in secret or out in the open. Everything! Now,
most say that this particular judgment is not for those who have been born again,
because Yeshua has atoned for our sin, covering them with His blood. That is true,
however, there will be a time when even the deeds of true believers will be put to the
test.
I Corinthians 3:11-15
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now
if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each
one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and
the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it
endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he
himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Once we come to Messiah, our sins are covered and we have a new foundation which
is Christ. It is up to us to build upon that firm foundation. Once again, things that
were thought to be secret will come to light in that Day, because it will be revealed by
fire. It won't take away our salvation but it will take away anything we've built up for
ourselves on false pretenses. God knows the heart. He knows what our motivations
are. If we give someone a backhanded compliment, He knows even if they don't pick
it up. Have you ever seen people who might pretend to be friends with someone, for
whatever reason? All things will be brought to light.
Matthew 12:36-37
36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the
day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be
condemned.”
Isaiah gives us fair warning.
Isaiah 5:20-24
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!
24 Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble,
And the flame consumes the chaff,
So their root will be as rottenness,
And their blossom will ascend like dust;
Because they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts,
And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
That pretty much says it all. Woe to those who call evil good, those who are wise in
their own eyes; who justify the wicked and take away justice from the righteous. This
account of this valley of Achan's judgement is a symbol of the valley of judgement
each and every believer will go through. We must be careful to never get deceived
into thinking that our success is our own doing so that we forget where our true
source comes from. We may have a victory that may be our own hidden defeat if we
let it make us prideful. The Valley of Achor, which means trouble, was a place that
showed the Israelites that trouble would come when God's commands are disgarded.
Though it may seem to be possible to hide a thing, it is truly impossible to hide from
God. Just like the walls of Jericho came down, so the walls we erect around our sin
will fall. Let us be aware that we are building upon this foundation of Messiah. Let us
take great care that we build with the right motivations; those things that will be tested
and found true by fire in that Great Day. Let's not be fooled into thinking that we are
getting away with anything, always remembering that God will not be mocked; what is
sown will be reaped.
Sermon by: Denise Baxley
Date: May 13, 2007
