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Who or What is Your Jericho?

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Joshua 6:1 Now Jericho [a fenced town with high walls] was tightly closed because of the Israelites; no one went out or came in. AMPC

Jericho was the first fortressed city that Israel encountered in their advancement into the Promised Land. It was the first thing that stood between them and the manifestation of their inheritance, and their promises from God. And it was the first thing they were going to have to fight through to break through into all God had for them.

I don’t know about you but I hate conflict and confrontation. Unfortunately, it’s what all the saints of Jesus are called to. The Pre-incarnate Jesus is mentioned in Joshua 5:13-15 and He is described as a Man…with His drawn sword in His hand and Prince of the Lord’s host. King David referred to God, the Father as Lord of Hosts, or Lord Sabaoth, literally interpreted as Lord of Angelic Armies. If you consider yourself a lover and not a fighter – think again. You are called to both. Even the title assigned to Jewish people, Israelites, is an indicator of Jesus’ followers job description. If you remember, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, because he had wrestled with God and overcome. In other words, Jacob had to wrestle or “fight” God for the blessing.

Jericho was tightly closed because the Prince of Heaven’s Armies, as well as His warriors, were just outside its walls. Now that is an interesting thought. Jericho being tightly shut because King and Warrior Jesus, and His people, are just outside getting ready to conquer and cause its walls to fall in submission, and surrender.

But here’s another thing to consider: In the spring, when kings go forth to battle,….2 Samuel 11:1. In Biblical times wars were going to be fought in the spring time. Guess what? Not a whole lot has changed. Ecclesiastes reminds us that To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:…(Eccl. 3:1) We are presently in one of God’s Biblical seasons. There are seasons, or cycles of manifestation, or mountaintop highs, and then there are seasons, or cycles of wildernesses, or valley lows. And presently, we are in a season, or cycle of warfare – spiritual warfare to be more exact. But there’s a sad verse that follows 2 Samuel 11:1 and its this, One evening David arose from his couch… (2 Samuel 11:2) HIS COUCH? What was David the giant-killer, lion smashing, bear stomping warrior of God doing on a couch? He was sending others to battle. He was being tempted to lust after his next door neighbor’s wife. It did not end well for David. It’s true All things work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28) but that doesn’t mean you are going to be unscathed by the poor decisions you have made.

Why do I bring all of these things to your attention? Because now is time when you are called to battle for what God has promised you. In this season, who or what is your Jericho? Who or what is tightly closed to you because you brought Jesus to the fight? Is your Jericho a person, a circumstance, a healing, or a broken-hearted hurting? Is your Jericho an unfulfilled promise or prophetic word you have yet to see manifested that was given years or decades ago? What would happen if you listed those and presented them to the Lord as something to fight towards, and for? What would happen if you got off the “couch” circumstances have assigned you and began to thank God for the unseen as if it is seen?

You might be tempted to think, Well I’ve been dealing with this for decades; I’ve been waiting for the manifestation of this promise for decades. But let me ask you a question, Have you waited for 40 years? Wilderness, wandering Israel had. Have you waited as long as Jesus? He’s still waiting on the Father to answer some of His prayers. Besides, what other plans do you have? Get off your “couch of resignation” and armor up for the fight. We just celebrated Jesus’ fight for our salvation. Fight from victory not towards victory. If you are fighting for victory you have already lost the battle. You aren’t fighting from a place of faith but from unbelief. Ask forgiveness for that and press on. Stand up in and through the finished work of the Cross and Resurrection. Put your trust in His Blood and begin to rigorously give thanks for the unseen as if it is seen.

Milk and Meat of God’s Promised Land

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Judges 1:1-3 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites to fight against them? 2 And the Lord said, Judah shall go up; behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.3 And Judah [the tribe] said to [the tribe of] Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my allotted territory, so that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your territory. So Simeon went with him.

There are several ways to interpret the writings found in the Bible. Some are literal, like commands, instructions, and teachings. Others are inferred, like following the examples set before you. Still others are historically, and literally true, yet there is an allegorical, or symbolic meaning behind their narrative. For example when you read the parables of Jesus, or the Book of Revelation, most are not to be read literally, but symbolically. Participants in the New Covenant, primarily get their spiritual “milk” (a metaphor for the Word of God) from the New Testament. We can read and ascertain clearly what we are to do and not do. (which explains why most New Testament readers scratch their heads in confusion when they read the Parables of Jesus or the Book of Revelation). Unfortunately, or fortunately, when it comes to reading the Old Testament you will need to come prepared to read most of it allegorically, or symbolically (although it is literally, and historically true). You will need to see the message behind the message.

The passage in Judges 1:1-3 is just such an example. You can read it literally, and historically but it doesn’t make for much of an in-depth Bible study. As a pastor-teacher I could make the obvious point (which we all know and need to be reminded of) that when it comes to conquering our enemies we can’t do it alone. We need to call on others to help us achieve our goals. Which is a nice devotional thought – what the Apostle Peter, Paul, and the writer of Hebrews would call spiritual milk. But if you want some spiritual meat added to the meal you would need to ask for revelation from the Holy Spirit. He would reveal the message behind the message. You could begin with the Hebraic meanings of the words for the two tribes that partnered together: Judah, and Simeon. Judah means to praise, or give thanks, which is a form of worship (serving or ministering to the Lord). Simeon, on the other hand, means he who hears or a man of listening; or one who hears and accepts what is heard. Now, what’s the application? When I, or the church, partners in praise, thanksgiving, and worship (serving and ministering to the Lord) – with hearing and listening (to God) – accepting what has been heard – I, or the church, can defeat enemies. Not only can you defeat your enemies you are empowered to possess the manifestation of His Promised Inheritance. The real challenge comes when you ask, Is He calling you to partner with another – to see the manifestation of His Inherited Promises – in your life and theirs? Another thought, even more challenging, would be to ask, Do you want me to lay down the promises You’ve specifically given; the inheritance you have prophesied was mine; the dreams, and prophetic words You have given – so another can inherit theirs? Now, all of that taken together has enough milk, to wash down the meat at the table He has prepared for those who are spiritually hungry. But that table has only been prepared for those who have made the Lord their Shepherd.

Is Ignorance Innocence?

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Robert Browning once wrote “Ignorance is not innocence but sin.“

In the book of Nehemiah an incident is recorded regarding the ignorance of the children of Israel and the Feast of Tabernacles. A remnant of Jews had returned to the Promised Land of Israel after being in Babylonian captivity only to discover that they had ignored the commandments, instructions, and teachings of the Lord. Once Ezra, the priest, began reading from the Law – the first five books of Moses (meaning instruction, or teaching) – and its hearers understood, they immediately responded in compliance and obedience. Ignorance did not imply innocence, nor excuse their guilt and sin. The good news was that 70 years of exile had done its work in changing the way they thought about sin. The bad news? Many died in Babylonian captivity never having changed their minds, or lifestyle.

Nehemiah 8:13-18 Now on the second day the heads of the fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law. And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” Then the people went out and brought them and made themselves booths, each one on the roof of his house, or in their courtyards or the courts of the house of God, and in the open square of the Water Gate and in the open square of the Gate of Ephraim. So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness. Also day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly, according to the prescribed manner.

In a song titled “The Lumber Song,” by Eli, the lyrics describe a man who had lived his life in ignorance finally dying and arriving in Heaven for his eternal reward. Peter guides the newly arrived citizen of heaven to his “mansion” only to discover it is a shack. The man replies, “How can this be?” and Peter replies, “That’s all the lumber you sent.”

The symbolic meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles is clear, What materials are you using that are of eternal value? Ignorance is not innocence – it is sin (missing the mark). Is your life missing the mark or are you learning to fix your mind on things above, not on the things of this earth?

The Pharaoh, Akhenaten, led Egypt in Religious revolution, when he proposed there was only one God. During his spiritual reform he wrote: True wisdom is less presuming than folly. The wise man doubteth often, and changeth his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubteth not; he knoweth all things but his own ignorance.