Everything that has taken place so far in the book of Joshua has been leading to this moment—the Israelites’ first and most dramatic battle in the Promised Land. After crossing the Jordan River, they stand before Jericho, the first obstacle between them and the land long promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As we reflect on this passage, three words help frame its message: Faith, Following, and Fighting. Together, these themes reveal what it means to live lives of courageous, obedient faith today.
Faith: The Foundation
Faith is the essential starting point. At this moment in the story, the Israelites display a faith that is obedient, courageous, and grounded in God’s proven character. They trust Joshua because they trust the Lord who appointed him. They are prepared to fight, but for once, they are ready to fight God’s way, not their own.
Faith in Scripture is not blind optimism or wishful thinking. It is confidence rooted in God’s past actions. The Israelites had seen convincing evidence of God’s power and faithfulness: He parted the Red Sea, destroyed the Egyptian army, provided food and water in the wilderness, defeated mighty kings, dried up the Jordan River, and brought them safely into the Promised Land.
Their faith rested on history—on what God had already done.
Likewise, as believers today, we look to the greatest historical act of all: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His victory over sin assures us that God’s final victory is certain. Because of this, we can lift our eyes from our fears and challenges and fix them first on Christ.
Central to Joshua’s battle plan was the Ark of the Covenant, representing God’s presence among His people. Israel could have marched for months and blown trumpets till they collapsed, but without the Lord going before them, there could be no victory. This scene echoes the crossing of the Jordan: God leads, and His people follow in faith.
The New Testament highlights this moment in Hebrews 11—the great “faith chapter.” After listing those who lived by faith without always seeing the final outcome, the writer adds: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.” Faith expresses itself not through passivity but through courage and obedience.
Following: Faith Put Into Action
Faith naturally leads to following. One phrase captures this well: “When your faith leads, your feet will follow.”
Joshua’s victory was not the result of human strategy. God’s plan for conquering Jericho would have appeared foolish in worldly military terms. Marching around the city in silence? Blowing trumpets instead of drawing swords? But Joshua acted on God’s instructions because he trusted God’s wisdom over human logic.
Scripture shows repeatedly that God delights in using unlikely methods and unlikely people: Joshua with his priests and trumpets, Gideon with torches and jars, young David with a sling, the disciples—ordinary fishermen—entrusted with the gospel.
Paul explains this pattern in 1 Corinthians 1: God uses “the foolish things” and “the weak things” to demonstrate His power and prevent human boasting. For us, this is deeply encouraging: God does not wait for perfect strength. He works through our weaknesses when we step forward in faith.
The instructions for Jericho were detailed and symbolic. For six days they were to circle the city once. On the seventh day, they were to circle it seven times, blow the trumpets, and shout. The repeated emphasis on seven—seven priests, seven trumpets, seven days, seven circuits—points to completeness and God’s ability to finish what He begins. From creation onward, the number seven signifies God’s perfect work.
The Israelites’ journey had been delayed by their own disobedience, yet God did not abandon His plans or His people. Joshua later affirms this near the end of his life: “Not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed.”
Following God is not always dramatic. Often, it is the quiet perseverance of showing up faithfully “for six days” when nothing appears to be happening. Many breakthroughs come only after seasons of steady obedience.
Fighting: The Good Fight of Faith
The third theme—fighting—may feel uncomfortable for Christians, especially considering Jesus’ teachings on peace, forgiveness, and loving one’s enemies. Yet Scripture is clear that believers are engaged in a spiritual battle. Paul urged Timothy: “Fight the good fight of faith.” And throughout the New Testament, we are reminded to be alert because an adversary seeks to oppose God’s work and God’s people.
The Bible does not present the Christian life as passive. Though our weapons are not physical, we are called to stand firm, to resist evil, and to hold fast to truth. The theme of God’s holy warfare—His battle against sin, evil, and death—runs through Scripture. Our participation in this fight is spiritual, not violent, and always shaped by Christ’s love and humility.
Interestingly, like the Israelites, we do not fight toward victory; we fight from victory. Joshua 6:2 is key: “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands.” God speaks in the past tense before the first trumpet sounds. When God declares something, it is as good as done.
Similarly, Christians stand on the accomplished victory of Christ. Paul prays in Ephesians 1 that we would grasp the hope to which God has called us and the “incomparably great power” available to believers. The walls may not yet have fallen in our lives, but God has already secured the outcome.
Faith means acting as though God’s promises are true because they are true. A promise is like a cheque: it only benefits us when we endorse and “cash” it—when we act on it.
Conclusion: Stepping Forward in Faith
The fall of Jericho shows us that faith is the strongest siege engine of all. Israel did not triumph because of superior military strength or strategic brilliance. They won because they trusted God enough to obey, even when obedience made them look foolish.
Often the obstacles in our lives feel as high and thick as Jericho’s walls. Yet when we move in sync with God’s presence, what seems impossible can crumble before us. Through years of walking with Christ, many believers discover that spiritual growth happens only when we step out, trust God, and face new challenges with Him.
The book of Joshua repeatedly calls God’s people to courageous, obedient faith. And Paul echoes this near the end of his life when he writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
May we learn, like Joshua and Paul, to be people of faith, people who follow, and people willing to fight the good fight—trusting that God completes what He begins and that His victory is already assured.