I grew up in the 90’s and wrestling was one of my favorite shows on television. In the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment), there was a character named Chris Jericho and he had a finishing move called the Walls of Jericho. At the time, I did not know the meaning of this move as I was not a reader of the Bible. Now, I realized that this was related to the City of Jericho and how it had impenetrable walls. This is a reminder how the Bible can be referenced even in popular culture.
As I read through the Book of Joshua and the conquests of Jericho, I find the account to be very interesting. In Joshua chapter 6, he and his people were commanded to walk around the walls once for six days and then on the seventh day, for seven times. In doing so, the wall of the city would fall flat and it would be delivered to them (Joshua 6:1 – 5). I have always wondered in my mind, why did they have to through this ritual in order to bring down the walls? After all, couldn’t God simply have delivered the city without such a procedure? Then I recalled the passage found in Jeremiah 18:7-8: ” The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, 8 if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.”
It is no doubt that Jericho was a city that sinned against God and deserved judgment. However, I wonder if the reason that God had commanded the people of Israel to perform such a task in order to call Jericho into submission to God. Could it have been that this was God’s final warning against the people of Jericho to repent before they faced utter destruction? Did not Rahab the harlot who lived a life of sin and committed lies to save the spies received deliverance along with the rest of her family after submitting to God? Perhaps instead of destruction, Jericho would have been spared had the city surrendered in submission. Sadly, this did not happen and the result was devastating.
As I reflect upon this conquest, I am reminded of a time in my own life where I build walls to keep God and His people out. I was content in my own ways and I did not want to have anything to do with Him. Thankfully, God did not give up on me and sent people to continue to speak and pray for me. As a result, my own Wall of Jericho had crumbled and His gospel entered my heart and my mind. Therefore, I am challenged to encourage us as a church to continue to pray and speak the gospel to those around us who have build up their own walls. I also pray that God would break down the walls in our community so that PGC may continue to share the gospel of His love and mercy. May we have the faith of Joshua to trust God and His deliverance.