The Times News has teamed up with area clergy to share 'Words of Comfort' twice a week in our print edition and online at . Any member of the clergy who’d like to get involved can contact Emily Stewart at estewart@timesnews.net.
The Times News has teamed up with area clergy to share 'Words of Comfort' twice a week in our print edition and online at . Any member of the clergy who’d like to get involved can contact Emily Stewart at estewart@timesnews.net.
Jericho was on lockdown. No one left the city; no one entered the city. The formidable walls appeared to be impenetrable; however, a rumor was spreading through Jericho that a people who had been enslaved over 400 years in Egypt, now miraculously delivered by their God, was headed to Jericho.
They had already destroyed Sihon and Og. Fear had caused dread in the hearts of every man, woman, and child. Joshua, the Israelite leader, had crossed God’s people over the Jordan River into Canaan’s fair land. They were instructed to conquer and confiscate the land from the Canaanites. Jericho was their first obstacle. Spies had been dispatched and returned with good news. They had found an ally in a house of prostitution. Madam Rahab had hidden the spies.
She said, “For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.†(Joshua 2:10-11) In return, she asked that kindness be shown to her family.
Joshua set God’s plan in motion; marching motion. Outside the city, the Israelite men of war came everyday to march around the walls…in silence. They came on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Would they come on their Sabbath? Looking down from strategic points on the wall, the armed men of Jericho watched the daily drill; anticipating the imminent attack. But the seventh day was different. God had said, “On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 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†(Joshua 6:4-5).
On the seventh day, the Jerichoians watched as the march was extended to seven times. What was the meaning of all this marching and silence? At the precise moment, with Joshua the son of Nun leading the way, the trumpets sounded and the walls fell flat! Unusual war strategy for invading a walled city like Jericho. That day God delivered Jericho into the hands of the Israelites. Rahab and her family were saved alive because she gave refuge to the spies. (You can read more about her in the Heroes Hall of Fame, Hebrews Ch. 11:31 and the lineage in Matthew Ch. 1).
There is a rumor going around that Jesus is coming again. I have heard this profound prophetic prediction all of my life. But now the signs of the time are flashing, the planets are aligning, strategies are being revealed, the wheels are turning, the saints are marching, the Trumpet of God shall be sounding and the walls will come tumbling down! Get Ready! Get Ready! Get Ready! Jesus is coming! This is not a rumor; it is a radically righteous reality. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! (Rev.22:20)
Penny Gilliam Hagy is pastor of Evangel Family Worship Center in Kingsport.
Penny Gilliam Hagy is co-pastor of Evangel Family Worship Center in Kingsport.
