4 LESSONS FROM JERICHO

By Scott Wendal | March 25, 2019

Time Magazine has not been normally known for being a staunch supporter of the
Scriptures, but in March 5, 1990 they ran an article in their science column. “Science: Score one
for the Bible! Fresh clues support the story of Joshua at the walls of Jericho.”
Over the years archaeologists have come to differing conclusions about Jericho. Jericho
is the second most excavated city in the land of Jericho, second only to Jerusalem. The 9-acre
Tel (or mound) has been examined by Germans, British, Americans, Palestinians, and Israelis.
Amazingly, all archaeologists agree on many conclusions:
The city was destroyed suddenly (probably by an earthquake).
The city was burned after it was destroyed.
The city was destroyed in late spring (after harvest).
The city was well supplied with food and water.

The discrepancy was the time of its fall. Archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon concluded in the
1950’s that Jericho fell in 1550 BC–150 years before Joshua’s arrival in 1406 BC. She based this
conclusion on the absence of imported pottery from Cyprus. Since she found Cypriot pottery in
Megiddo, she expected to find it in Jericho. In the small area of her work, she found none. Then
came Dr. Bryant Wood, an ancient Canaanite pottery expert who examined the Jericho pottery
that was found over several decades and he confirmed that the pottery was from Cyprus from
the Late Bronze Age and was indeed at the time of Joshua. Further findings included scarabs
with Pharaoh’s names who ruled from the period of 1550 BC—1400 BC. Slam dunk, archaeology
confirms Joshua’s defeat of Jericho and its crumbling walls. There is also a small section on the
north side of the city where the wall is still intact—it must be Rahab’s neighborhood built on
the wall, just as the Bible says. But what does this 3,000 year old story mean to me?
1. PUT GOD FIRST: TITHE
The gold and silver was to go into the treasury of the Lord, Joshua 6:24. Jericho was the
tithe, the firstfruits. By not taking the spoils of battle for themselves but giving it to God, they
are saying, “God is first in our lives.”
2. FACE YOUR BIGGEST OBSTACLES BY OBEYING
What may have seemed foolish to Joshua brought great victory. Simply put—learn what
God says and obey what God says! Your Jericho victories will only be won when we are faithful
to God and His Word.
3. BELIEVE GOD WILL KEEP HIS PROMISES
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.—
Hebrews 11:30
If we truly believe God, our desire will be to obey His commandments. Let’s do our part,
and trust God to do His part. Obedience is the evidence of our faith according to James 2:26.
When you face impossible situations, you can trust the Lord to help you.
4. GOD CAN FORGIVE YOUR DEEPEST SINS
A woman named Rahab, who had ruined her life with sin, decided to put her faith in the
true and living God. Jewish tradition says she married one of the two spies that she hid. What
does the Bible say? Three times in the New Testament we are reminded of Rahab’s faith and
God’s loving kindness. Rahab became the great, great grandmother of King David (see Matthew
1:5). She is an example of a genuine faith that works in James 2:25. And she is highlighted in
Hebrews 11:31 for her saving faith.