Two Cities

by N.G. Coomer, Methil | Category: General | Aug 1967

The stories of Jericho and Al, two cities in Canaan, hold important lessons for the people of God (Joshua 6 and 7). Jericho was taken; its walls fell flat. The battle ended in complete victory for God's people. What was the secret of their great success? If we can learn how God's earthly people won their battles it may help us to be overcomers today.

Joshua had this word from the LORD, "See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour" (Joshua 6.2). Then the LORD set out the plan of campaign. Joshua and all the people trusted in God, believed His word and implicitly obeyed His instructions. Once every day for six days they walked around the city wall in silence (Joshua 6.10). They persevered in something which to the natural eye must have appeared ridiculous. But their obedience to God's word was the secret of their success. On the seventh day they shouted and the walls fell. Israel proved at Jericho the truth of Rahab's words to the two spies, "The LORD your God, He is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath" (Joshua 2.11).

The story of Ai is a different one: the battle ended in defeat. Jericho's fall brought fame to Joshua, but Ai was a humbling experience. Why this failure at Ai after the success at Jericho? The spies sent to find out the size and state of Ai returned to Joshua with the report, "Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up to smite Al; make not all the people to toil thither; for they are but few" (Joshua 7.3). On this occasion Joshua did not enquire of the LORD, but did what the spies suggested. He grossly under-estimated the enemy's strength, and the men of Israel were put to flight before the men of Ai.

In our spiritual conflict we should never under-estimate the strength of the enemy and we should always seek God's face in prayer (see Ephesians 6.lO-l8). If God is with us, who can stand against us?

On this occasion God was not with Joshua and his men because of sin among the people. One man sinned, yet all were affected, and so they suffered defeat. They could not stand before their enemies because the devoted thing was among them. Should we not ask ourselves, Is there anything in my life that may be holding back victory from God's people? "None of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself" (Romans 14.7).

"Make not all the people to toll" counselled the spies. But the victory at Jericho was not gained by toil but by faith, and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto God (Hebrews 11.6). When failure occurs, there should be self-exalnination, and where there is wrong it should be corrected. Then only may we expect God to give us the victory.

After Achan had been dealt with, Joshua prayed to the LORD and received the answer, "Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai" (Joshua 8.1). Now Joshua was assured of success: "Thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king".

Success is sure if God is with us. But we must always act on the word of God, and be in a right spiritual condition to gain the victory. "I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me", wrote Paul to the Philippians (4.13).

When Ai had been utterly destroyed, Joshua built an altar unto the LORD. Our worship and praise, too, should flow as we experience in our lives the power of Almighty God with us. "The LORD your God, He is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath" (Joshua 2.11).

N.G. Coomer, Methil | Aug 1967
General