Joshua 6

The Explanation

There was a city. A big city, called Jericho.

Around the city stood a wall. A high, thick wall of stone. So high you had to tip your head far back to see the top. The gates were shut. Bang. Locked tight. Nobody went out. Nobody came in.

Outside the wall were tents. In the tents lived God's people. And their leader was a man named Joshua.

God said to Joshua, "I will give you this city."

And then God said something strange. Something very strange.

"Walk around the city. Just walk. Once around. And do that for six days."

So they walked. Seven men walked in front with horns. Big, curved horns from a ram. They blew them. Tooooot. Behind them came the special golden chest of God. And behind that, all the people.

But the people said nothing. Not one word. Only feet on the sand. Only the horns. Tooooot.

They walked around the city. And they went back to their tents.

The next day they walked again. And the next day. And the next day. Around and around and around. Six days long.

What Does This Mean?

On the seventh day the sun was barely up. Joshua woke everybody early. Today was different.

They walked around the city. One time. Two times. Three, four, five, six times. And then, the seventh time.

The horns blew, long and loud. And Joshua shouted, "Shout! God has given you the city!"

And everybody shouted. All the people, all together, as loud as they could.

And then… the wall began to shake. The big, thick, high wall of stone. It cracked. It rumbled. And it fell. Boom. Flat on the ground.

Nobody pushed it. Nobody hit it. God did it. God is that strong.

The Common Thread

But wait. In that city lived a woman. Her name was Rahab.

Earlier, Rahab had hidden two of Joshua's men in her house. She kept them safe. And they promised her, "We will keep you safe too."

So Joshua said, "Go and get Rahab."

The two men went. They brought Rahab out. And her father and her mother. And her brothers. And everybody in her house.

The city was gone. But Rahab was safe. God did not forget her. And Rahab came to live with God's people, just like she was one of them.

God remembers people. God keeps His promises. Always.

For You

Do you know what those people did for six whole days? Nothing but walk. And keep quiet. And wait.

That is hard. Waiting is hard, isn't it?

But God said, "Just walk. I will do the rest."

And God did it.

Sometimes you have to wait too. For your birthday. For Mommy to come. For something to get better.

You may say to God: I am waiting. Will You help me?

He hears you. He is that big. Big enough for a wall of stone.

Talk About It

Can you shout very loud, like the people did? And can you be very, very quiet, like on the first six days?

Who kept Rahab safe when the wall fell down?

Praying Together

Dear God, You are strong. Stronger than a big stone wall. Thank You that You kept Rahab safe. Please keep me safe too. And help me when I have to wait. Amen.