Lesson Text: Joshua 6:12-25 (ESV)
Date the Lesson is Scheduled For: July 28th, 2026
Session: 4
Title: “Winning Strategy”
Theme: God gave His people victory when they trusted and obeyed Him.
Memory Verse: Joshua 6:20, “So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.”
Content Overview:
- Instructions Obeyed (Josh. 6:12-14)
- Victory Assured (Josh. 6:15-19)
- Walls Destroyed (Joshua 6:20-21)
- Promises Kept (Josh. 6:22-25)
Lesson:
- Instructions Obeyed (Josh. 6:12-14)
Text: “12 Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. 13 And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord walked on, and they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them, and the rear guard was walking after the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets blew continually. 14 And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days.” (Josh. 6:12-14, ESV, Emphasis mine)
Explanation: In the previous chapter, significant steps are taken to prepare for the Jericho conquest. Israel has crossed the Jordan. Before any conquest could happen, the people had to be consecrated to God by means of circumcision. Joshua 5:6-9 says, “6 For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord; the Lord swore to them that he would not let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So it was their children, whom he raised up in their place, that Joshua circumcised. For they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way.
8 When the circumcising of the whole nation was finished, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed. 9 And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.” Conquest couldn’t happen until reproach was removed. It’s the same for our lives. Once we are set apart to God by salvation by grace through faith, we are then able to advance. Following this, Joshua encounters this individual alone, standing with sword drawn who identifies himself as the Commander of the Lord’s army. Joshua asks him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” (Josh. 5:13b). Joshua 5:14-15 says [He] responds, “14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped[a] and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.” Notice, he is not rebuked for worshipping and bowing down and notice the similar encounter Moses had at the burning bush in Exodus 3:5. This is most likely a manifestation of God. Now why would it be important for us to go into these details leading up to chapter 6? Take a look at verses 12-14 again. Joshua gets up early; ready to seize the day. The priests take the ark of the covenant guarded on the front and rear by armed soldiers, and the army marches around Jericho 6 days, blowing the trumpets while the men remain silent. The text notes twice that the trumpets were blown “continually,” unceasing. The point we see here is that the priests and soldiers obeyed Joshua because the people prepared by being devoted to God/separated to God though it was painful, and Joshua had a worshipful encounter with an Old Testament—most likely Christophany.
Application: Are we separated to Christ? Are we consecrated to Christ and His service? Are we characterized by intimacy and humble worship of God? Do we rise early to serve the Lord with obedience as a result? Are we aspiring to obedience even when it’s tiring, hard, repeated and continual, when we feel like we’re making laps around an impenetrable obstacle with little results to show for it, while trusting God’s promises of victory. The process God took Joshua and the people through reminds us of His processes in our lives.
Transition: Point #1, instructions obeyed; Point #2,
2. Victory Assured (Josh. 6:15-19)
Text: “15 On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. 16 And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, ‘Shout, for the Lord has given you the city. 17 And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. 18 But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. 19 But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.’” (Emphasis mine)
Explanation: They rise early on day 7. The text repeats three times that they walked around this time seven times, meaning completion, the full amount necessary. Then unlike the previous times, they’re commanded to shout. The phrase, “…devoted to the Lord for destruction…” (vv. 17-19) repeated 3 times reminds the people that the precious jewels were to go into God’s treasury for the tabernacle as an offering.It was expressly stated they couldn’t keep them for themselves. To take these things for themselves would be stealing from God.
Argumentation: Some might question the ethics of such a severe destruction of this people. What does “Jericho” mean? Moon. This possibly indicates these were moon worshipers, possibly a central city and champion of moon worship. The destruction of Jericho might have served as a message to all the other false idol/false god worshipers of Canaan. Deuteronomy 20:16-17 denotes the intense and harmful evils of these peoples. They weren’t innocent Canaan dwellers. They were the ones wishing to wipe out other peoples, engaging in all kinds of heinous evils. And according to Genesis 15:16, had reached a point of no return. To leave them alone would have created a foothold that would have contributed to the apostacy of the Israelites if left unchecked. If Rahab & her family had opportunity to repent, so did they. Yet, they didn’t. It’s sad when those who have a chance to turn from sin to Him do not. We know that while there is unlimited mercy in the cross of Christ, there is a limited timeframe for people to respond to and receive his saving mercy.
- Isaiah 55:6 (ESV), “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near”
- 2 Cor. 6:2 (ESV), “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
- Hebrews 3:7-8 (ESV), “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,”
- 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV), “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Application: There are several applications here. Recipients of mercy are assured of victory. Those who have yet to receive his mercy, must repent and believe on Jesus, and they must do so quickly, because time is running short; Do not presume on tomorrow. You do not know how close you are to your own seventh lap.
Transition: Point #1, instructions obeyed; Point #2, victory assured; Point #3,
3. Walls Destroyed (Joshua 6:20-21)
Text”” 20 So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. 21 Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword.” (Emphasis mine)
Explanation: God did it. The city was completely decimated. Hardly any effort was needed on their part. They walked right into the victory God promised.
Commentary Quotes: New American Commentary states, “In contrast to the detailed telling and retelling of the great miracle at the Jordan River (3:14–17 and throughout chap. 4), the great miracle of the walls collapsing is told here in one terse statement at the end of v. 20. However, this fits the general outlook of the book, that military matters belonged to God and that he would effortlessly fight Israel’s battles. Protracted attention to battle details would undermine this sense of the effortless taking of the land of Canaan. What is emphasized in this account are the ritual preparations for the battle (vv. 2–19) and the follow-up to the taking of the city, in which faithfulness to earlier commands and agreements is highlighted (vv. 22–26). The Book of Hebrews adds to this perspective: it was “by faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” (Heb 11:30).”[1]
Illustration: When you were a kid trying to fix something that was beyond your maturity, age and expertise if you attempted to solve it on your own, it was frustrating and defeating. But when dad steps in with his tool box, years of experience, maturity, ease and calming demeanor, you were put at ease and the bike handle was reattached and you rode along on your merry way.
Application: Victories are impossible for us to achieve apart from the One Who was all-victorious over sin death and the grave. He is our Victor. He is able. He is infinitely capable with ease. He welcomes us into the same Father-child relationship. Rather than getting flustered first, lets’ call out to him first and always.
Transition: Point #1, instructions obeyed; Point #2, victory assured; Point #3, walls destroyed, fourthly and finally,
4. Promises Kept (Josh. 6:22-25)
Text: “22 But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, ‘Go into the prostitute’s house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.’ 23 So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. And they brought all her relatives and put them outside the camp of Israel. 24 And they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. 25 But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.” (Emphasis mine)
Explanation: In the heat of the victory, Joshua wasn’t forgetful or indifferent to Rahab and her family. He made sure the spies went in and got them. Although Rahab and her family had to live outside the camp temporarily, they would be welcomed into Israel’s encampment eventually. The delay was most likely to have enough time allotted for their ritual cleansing according to the Levitical Law in Leviticus 13:46 which says, “46 He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.”
Commentary Quotes: NAC, “In v. 22 are found Joshua’s instructions for the two spies—the spies who had earlier made the oath with Rahab to spare her and her family on the basis of her faith, which had been demonstrated in her actions and her words…”[2] When verse 25 concludes saying, “…she has lived in Israel to this day,” the NAC says,” At first glance, this last statement would suggest that the Book of Joshua was written within a few years after the events described in the book, and that very well may have been the case. However, the reference to “Rahab” living among the Israelites “to this day” could have referred to her descendants, in the same way that the reference to “David” in Hos 3:5 indicates David’s descendants rather than David himself. Thus, this verse cannot be used conclusively to date the writing of the Book of Joshua. However, the point of the verse is not to date the writing of the book, but rather to indicate something of the lasting effects of the agreement the two spies had made with Rahab: it was a binding agreement, one that Israel honored, because of Rahab’s faith.”[3] And we know the Gospel of Matthew shows she is in the family lineage of Jesus, the Greater Joshua. Everyone else would have looked at this woman and thrown her aside. Legalism focuses on the external appearances and bashes and finger points at others to appear more righteous. The gospel embraces others and welcomes them into the household of faith. The gospel sees beyond the externals.
Illustration: Maybe you have been promised something by another individual, and you were excited and relieved when they remembered and kept their promise to you. How relieved Rahab and her family must have been when the spies came running through the rubble to get her and her family.
Application: Our Lord Jesus did not forget or delay His redemptive plan. The Father sent him to come running through the rubble of our sin-filled, broken lives to rescue us and welcome us forever into His family.
Transition: Point #1, instructions obeyed; Point #2, victory assured; Point #3, walls destroyed, fourthly and promises kept.
Doctrine: Stewardship, “God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him.” (Lifeway, Explore the Bible Leaders Guide page 52).
- Verse: Deuteronomy 10:14 (ESV), “Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.”
- Verse: Psalm 24:1 (ESV), “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,[a]
the world and those who dwell therein.”
Discussion Question(s): Why did God set the treasures of Jericho apart for Himself? What potential victory is God asking you to trust Him to provide? What victories does God promise His people today? Wrap Up: God bless you as you teach His Word this coming week.
[1] David M. Howard Jr., Joshua, vol. 5, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 174–175.
[2] David M. Howard Jr., Joshua, vol. 5, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 175.
[3] David M. Howard Jr., Joshua, vol. 5, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 176.
Additional Sources: New American Commentary; Lifeway Explore the Bible for Joshua, Judges, & Ruth; ESV Study Bible; Archaelogical Study Bible; Cross References
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