The Walls of Jericho: A Lesson in Obedience and Purpose

I began reflecting on the Walls of Jericho and the profound truth that the people of God were on the outside of the walls, while those about to face God’s judgment were within. This simple fact holds a powerful lesson for Christians today.

As believers, Christians are not meant to be closed off, hidden, or isolated. We are called to be out and about, actively living out our faith. Just as the Children of Israel were commanded to march around the city of Jericho, Christians are also called to be on the move. We are not meant to sit idly by; instead, we are to obey God, serve others, and carry out His purpose in the world. Christians should never forget that we have a God-given purpose!

The Danger of Hiding from God and Others

When I sin, my natural inclination is to hide or shut myself off from others, especially from God—much like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. The people of Jericho, too, were sinners and pagans who sought refuge behind the walls of a man-made city. They thought that by hiding behind these walls, they could escape the Israelites. Perhaps they even prayed to their false gods, hoping that the Israelites would grow frustrated and leave them alone.

However, this is not the solution. When people close themselves off from God or shut the doors to their hearts and minds, it becomes easy to grow cold and indifferent. Sin has a way of isolating us from the truth, and when we fall into sin, we often desire to be left alone—especially by God and His people. But we must remember what happened to Jericho: it was completely destroyed—not partially, not hindered, but utterly destroyed. This serves as a powerful reminder that sin leads to destruction, not redemption.

Fleeing from Sin and Embracing God’s Blessings

As Christians, we must flee from sin and all that is sinful. We cannot afford to remain trapped behind the walls of our own mistakes and shortcomings. Just as the people of Jericho were bound by their own pride and disobedience, we too can be held captive by our own sin. However, there is hope: when we surrender to God, He offers us a new way of living—one that is free from the confinement of sin and filled with His blessings.

Christians are called to move forward, to leave behind the walls of sin and embrace the freedom found in living according to God’s will. Only then can we experience the fullness of life that God has promised.