Joshua 6:13
And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the Lord, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
Joshua 6:13 (KJV)
Context
Joshua 6 records Israel’s capture of Jericho, their first major victory in the Promised Land. God gave Joshua a strange battle plan: march around the city once each day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day. This verse describes part of that march. The priests carried trumpets made from rams’ horns, called shofars, and walked before the ark of the Lord. The armed men went ahead of them, and the rear guard followed behind the ark. Everyone moved in exact order, doing what God had commanded. The Hebrew phrase “went on continually” literally means “going, they went,” showing that the priests kept moving without stopping until they had circled the city. Their obedience was steady and complete.
Meaning
The seven priests and seven trumpets were not for battle signals. They were for worship and for following God’s instructions precisely. The priests, not the warriors, led the procession. This shows that spiritual leadership and trust in God come before military action. The ark of the Lord, which represented God’s presence among His people, stood at the center of the march. The armed men before it and the rear guard behind it showed that the whole nation was ordered around God’s presence. The continual blowing of the trumpets and the continual walking demonstrate persistent, unwavering obedience. This pattern points to a deeper truth: God’s people are called to follow Him faithfully, even when His ways seem unusual or difficult to understand.
Biblical connections
This verse connects to the wilderness journey, when the ark of the Lord went before the people to show them where to camp and where to travel. In the same way, God’s presence led Israel around Jericho. The order of the procession also reminds us that God is holy and must be honored in worship. The priests, not the warriors, led the way, emphasizing that spiritual leadership and trust in God precede military action. This event is part of the larger narrative of the conquest of Jericho, where God gave the city into Israel’s hands through faith and obedience, not through their own strength.
Application
Joshua 6:13 teaches us that victory comes through faith and obedience to God’s instructions. We may face challenges that seem impossible, like the walls of Jericho. God may ask us to do things that do not make sense from a human point of view. This verse encourages us to trust His wisdom and to follow His commands exactly, without adding or removing anything. It also reminds us to keep God’s presence central in our lives. Just as the ark led the way, we should let God’s Word and His Spirit guide our decisions and actions. The priests blew the trumpets continually, and we too should persist in prayer and praise, even when we do not see immediate results.
Reflection
The fall of Jericho did not happen because of human strength or clever military tactics. It happened because the people obeyed God and trusted His presence with them. This verse calls us to examine our own walk with God. Are we willing to follow His plan, even when it seems slow or strange? Do we keep going faithfully, day after day, without giving up? The priests went on continually, and so must we. God’s presence goes before us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. When we obey Him with patience and perseverance, we can trust that He will fight for us and give us victory in His time.
