Joshua 6:14

Commentary on Joshua 6:14 (KJV)

Joshua 6:14 describes the continued, peculiar military strategy employed by the Israelites during the siege of Jericho. It highlights the repetitive, daily nature of God's instructions, emphasizing the unwavering obedience required of His people.

Context

This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of the conquest of Jericho, the first major city the Israelites encountered after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. God had given Joshua very specific and unconventional instructions for taking the city, which was heavily fortified and deemed impregnable by human standards. Instead of a direct assault, the divine strategy involved a daily ritual: marching around the city once for six days, with the Ark of the Covenant and priests blowing trumpets, followed by a climactic seventh day. Verse 14 shows the execution of this plan on the second day, mirroring the actions of the first, as detailed in Joshua 6:3-5. This seemingly illogical approach was designed to demonstrate God's power and the necessity of complete reliance on Him.

Key Themes

• Unwavering Obedience: The Israelites' faithful adherence to God's unusual and repetitive command, day after day, demonstrates their profound trust in Him. They did not question the logic or efficiency of the method; they simply obeyed. This consistent obedience was crucial for the miraculous outcome.
• Patience and Persistence: The daily routine, without immediate visible results, was a test of the Israelites' patience and endurance. The passage emphasizes that God's plans unfold according to His timing, requiring sustained faith and steadfastness from His people.
• God's Sovereignty and Unique Methods: This verse underscores that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension and strategic thinking. The victory would clearly be attributed to divine power, not to the Israelites' military prowess or clever tactics. This highlights God's ability to work through seemingly weak or absurd means to accomplish His mighty purposes, as mentioned in Isaiah 55:8-9.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "compassed" (סָבַב, savav) simply means "to turn around," "go about," or "surround." The straightforwardness of the term reinforces the simple, repetitive nature of the command given by God. There's no hidden complexity in the action itself, but rather its significance lies in the obedient execution.

Practical Application

Joshua 6:14 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It encourages us to practice consistent obedience to God's Word, even when the path seems illogical, redundant, or the results are not immediately apparent. We are called to trust in God's wisdom and timing, knowing that His methods, however unconventional, are always perfect. Our role is to be faithful in the seemingly small or repetitive acts of obedience, confident that God will bring about His mighty works in His time, just as He did when the walls of Jericho finally fell after seven days of diligent marching. This verse reminds us that true faith is demonstrated through persistent, trusting obedience.