For forty years, we wandered about in the wilderness, with great regret, remorse, anger, guilt, and shame! It was therefore with great joy that we re-approached the borders of Canaan again. Within Canaan, when we were about to enter the other side of the land, while encamped at Shittim near (Baal) Peor, which was just by the River Jordan and opposite Jericho on the other side of the Jordan, a calamity befell us. Thousands of our people were once again entrapped by Balaam (the false prophet) to attend a feast at Moab where they committed adultery with the daughters of Moab and worshipped Baal Peor.
This sin greatly threatened to once again destroy our purpose and aim of entering and conquering Canaan. More than 20,000 people were killed for this sin, affecting our number and showing us the threats and seductions of idolatry. Nevertheless, we overcame this loss and with oneness, focused on our mission. Another miracle was made for us when God parted the River Jordan for all the hosts of Israel at a time when it had overflowed its banks. This signal manifestation of power sent shudders through the spines of the Canaanites and strengthened our faith.
Before us lay Jericho, the seat of power, wealth, and idolatry. Here was the capital for the worship of Ashtoreth, the moon goddess, and all forms of debasing crimes and vice were practiced here. Jericho’s walls were strong and reached a high as the eye could see. How could we defeat them? The inhabitants also trusted so much in their walls’ defenses that was famous for its strength. Prior to crossing the Jordan, two spies were sent to search out the land and the city of Jericho. However, the people of Jericho were on high alert for spies because of our closer proximity to them. On reaching Jericho, they were quickly seen, and it was told the king, who sent for their arrest.
A prostitute who lived on the wall of the city, called Rahab, hid them and helped them to escape arrest. She confessed faith in Jehovah, reciting His mighty miracles on our behalf from Egypt through the Red Sea to the defeat of the Amorites, and the recent crossing of the Jordan. In return she asked for her life and that of her family be saved (Joshua 2). We swore to her to do as she had asked, and she placed a red rope by her window; the same rope by which we escaped from Jericho.
If you were told that your country and land were to be invaded by another marauding tribe, how would you feel and how would you prepare for it? And how determined would you be if this nation came with supernatural powers that conquered all lands before them? However, if you suddenly learnt that this powerful invading country is now moving in circles on a desert, not coming to attack you but walking aimlessly on a wilderness, what would you do?
Supposing these slaves were freed from the most powerful nation then on earth, with the promise of settling them on a new land; and you are a citizen of this powerful nation. For some time, you became the mockery of the world for allowing a nation of slaves to leave your land, after devastating your land with plagues. Your king and all his army were drowned in the Red Sea while they pursued this nation of slaves. How would you feel if you hear that this nation was still wandering in the wilderness aimlessly after leaving your country the last forty years?
In both these scenarios, how would the countries of Canaan and Egypt feel about the Israelites and about Jehovah while they wandered in the wilderness for forty years, not achieving their dreams of entering Canaan to conquer them? Indeed, Israel was reproached and mocked for forty years until they returned to conquer Canaan again, tumbling down giants and impregnable walls, crossing the Jordan, and decimating whole populations. Then, the mockery turned into fear and trembling…
“The vast army marched solemnly around the devoted walls. All was silent, save the measured tread of many feet, and the occasional sound of the trumpet, breaking the stillness of the early morning. The massive walls of solid stone seemed to defy the siege of men. The watchers on the walls looked on with rising fear, as, the first circuit ended, there followed a second, then a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth. What could be the object of these mysterious movements?
What mighty event was impending? They had not long to wait. As the seventh circuit was completed, the long procession paused. The trumpets, which for an interval had been silent, now broke forth in a blast that shook the very earth. The walls of solid stone, with their massive towers and battlements, tottered and heaved from their foundations, and with a crash fell in ruin to the earth. The inhabitants of Jericho were paralyzed with terror, and the hosts of Israel marched in and took possession of the city.” Patriarchs and Prophets 491.1
Only the prostitute Rahab and her family were saved. On that day, the people of Canaan and Egypt ceased mocking our God and Israel. Our fear spread throughout the land, and our faith was established in the eternal God!
