25-1214a - Detailed Summary

Jim greets the congregation and introduces the topic of the ancient city of Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world and the first walled and fortified city. Archaeologists indicate it was continuously inhabited from before the flood. Jericho lies in the Jordan Valley west of the Jordan River, north of the Dead Sea, about 15 miles northeast of Jerusalem. After the flood, Canaanites inhabited it, an evil pagan nation whose sin grew so great that God planned to use Israel to exterminate them due to their refusal to repent. Canaan, son of Ham, was cursed by Noah and settled this area.

From Moses' time through Joshua’s leadership, Jericho fell within the tribe of Benjamin’s territory. Centuries later, near the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, less than two weeks before His crucifixion, Jesus and His disciples were in the area of ancient Jericho. The sermon examines the Lord’s and Israel’s history with this city, beginning with Joshua leading Israel into the Promised Land.

Joshua sent two spies to survey the land. Rahab, a woman of Jericho, hid them from capture and was promised safety for herself and her family. At the Jordan River opposite Jericho, priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the water, causing it to pile up and allow Israel to cross on dry ground. Each tribe took a stone from the river to memorialize God’s power. This miracle, led by the angel of the Lord, built respect for Joshua as it had for Moses. The previous generation died in the wilderness due to complaining against God.

Joshua 5-7 notes the unfaithful generation did not enter the Promised Land. Their children were circumcised, reinstating the covenant suspended during the 40 years of wandering. God raised up a faithful new generation in the wilderness. While healing, they celebrated Passover in the plains of Jericho, unobserved for years. The next day, they ate the land’s produce, and manna ceased.

Joshua encounters a man with a drawn sword near Jericho and asks his allegiance. The man identifies as captain of the Lord’s host and commands Joshua to remove his sandals on holy ground. This is identified as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus (Yeshua, meaning Yahweh saves), similar to Moses' burning bush encounter in Exodus 3. The being in the bush is called angel of the Lord, Yahweh, Elohim, and El Shaddai—all referring to God. Proper exegesis shows these are the same pre-incarnate Christ.

The captain commissions Joshua, promising victory. Israel marches around Jericho once daily for six days, led by priests with ram’s horns (shofars) and the Ark. On the seventh day, they march seven times, blow a long blast, shout, and the walls fall flat miraculously. Israel destroys the city but spares Rahab and her family. Rahab marries Salmon of Judah; their son Boaz marries Ruth, leading to Obed, Jesse, and King David—showing God’s providence protecting Jesus' lineage. Joshua curses anyone rebuilding Jericho, predicting loss of firstborn and youngest sons.

Centuries later, during wicked King Ahab’s reign, Hiel of Bethel rebuilds Jericho, losing his firstborn Abiram and youngest Segub, fulfilling Joshua’s curse amid Israel’s apostasy. Later, in 2 Kings 2, people of rebuilt Jericho complain to prophet Elisha (successor to Elijah) about poisonous water and unproductive land from the curse. Elisha throws salt into the spring, declaring it purified by the Lord, ending death and unfruitfulness. The waters remain pure, turning the plain fruitful.

Jericho, in Israel’s low Death Valley with extreme heat, became a fertile oasis through God’s word. The history shows cursed men (Ham, Canaan) establishing a sinful land punished by God’s chosen people. Miracles built faith; God preserved Jesus' bloodline. Jericho’s walls fell and were cursed, then rebuilt in apostasy with the curse fulfilled. Finally, Elisha healed the land through God’s mercy, making the dead fruitful again.

Old Testament history teaches that God revives what is physically and spiritually dead due to sin. He punishes the disobedient and unfruitful but offers mercy. Believers should faithfully serve, bear fruit glorifying God, and seek forgiveness if unfaithful. The sermon concludes with an invitation for any needs, offering prayer and assistance from the church.