An in-depth analysis of the evidence, however, reveals that the destruction took place around 1400 B.C. She concluded that the Bronze Age city of Jericho was destroyed about 1550 BC by the Egyptians. But the Israelites had one major player on their team that Jericho did not: The God of the universe! It is highly probable that irrigation had been invented to provide enough land for the cultivation of these crops. Here is a Bible study from Joshua 6. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Its in 4 areas on my body and I have to take antihistamines to control the itch. The story was written sometime after 722 BCE, long after the date of the event, and was used to claim the territory for the Kingdom Of Israel. Walls of Jericho - Powerful Bible Story & Lessons - Crosswalk What Does it Mean That the Gift of God Is Eternal Life? Praying that the Lord will reveal everything that has been a stronghold that comes from the outside of His destiny for you. We can trust that God is faithful to His promises and be at peace while we wait for a promise to come to pass. The fallen walls of Jericho became a key affirmation that God was fulfilling His promise to them, and that God would be with them as they took possession of the Promised Land. Why was the grain left at Jericho? The Philistines Enter Canaan: Were They Egyptian Lackeys or Invading Conquerors? Salem Media Group. Thomas A. Holland, who was editor and co-author of Kenyon's excavation reports, summarized the apparent results as follows: H.J. This distinctive pottery, decorated with red and black geometric patterns, was in use only in the 15th century BC, the time of the Israelite Conquest according to Biblical chronology. The Bible Story of the Battle of Jericho is found in the book of Joshua, chapter six. As well as showing us how vital it is not to discount the Bible because of some apparent conflict with secular scholarship, Jericho is a wonderful spiritual lesson for Gods people yet today. 5:19-21 some of these walls that cause a huge distance in our relationship with God : Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, Idolatry relationships, work, social media, materialism, Witchcraft -magic and spells, believing in horoscopes, seditions inciting rage against authority, murders, wounding someone with your choice of words, reveling -wild parties/extreme drinking /bars, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.. God wants us to put our faith on Him and live a repentant life, so that He can use us to break down those fortified walls. Around 7000 BCE, a second settlement was established by an invading people that absorbed the original inhabitants into their culture. They state that the only thing amiss is the dating in the Bible and that the earthquake was God rewarding the Israelites for following his commands. On the seventh day, as God instructed, they marched around the city seven times, the priests blew their trumpets, and the army gave a loud shout. What Does It Mean to Be "Spiritually Blind"? Please refresh the page and try again. The archaeological evidence supports the historical accuracy of the Biblical account in every detail. All rights reserved. Non-Biblical Scholars now believe that the Bible story is an allegory. Could you pray for me? Submitted by Art Ramos, published on 19 September 2016. Maybe others thought it would be best to win the city with a proven military strategy. There were many rich things in Jericho. Our lives are meaningful and significant because God is writing each of our stories purposefully. This is still true for believers today. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. Thank you for your beautiful post! A Typical Israelite Community in the OT Period, Secrets of the Bible: The Fall of Jericho with Dr. Bryant Wood, 2014 Excavations at Kh. How Can Christians Know if They're Trapped in Culture Wars? Part One, The Valley of Elah in the Days of Saul and David. Providence Lithograph Company (Public Domain). Section drawing of Kenyon's excavation showing house walls from the city destroyed by the Israelites and the thick burn layer (lower red layer). They are currently signed to E1 Music. By this time, there were two walls around the city in a double enclosure made of mud brick. For the Israelites, this battle was yet another big step away from slavery and toward freedom. Find out more about him here. Only He can breach into these forts once and for all and bring Gods amazing shining rays in our lives. Unfortunately, she misdated her finds, resulting in what seemed to be a discrepancy between the discoveries of archaeology and the Bible. His left foot rests on part of the fallen wall. When one hears the name 'Jericho' one naturally thinks of Israelites marching, trumpets sounding and walls falling. It remained unoccupied until the late 10th century or early 9th century BCE when it was rebuilt. May 25, 2023 The walls of Jericho are discussed in the Old Testament Book of Joshua. Such a large quantity of grain left untouched gives silent testimony to the truth of yet another aspect of the biblical account. Jeremiah 33:3,kjv. I have to just ask the Lord constantly and let Him cleanse me. Bibliography Archaeological evidence reveals that by 8000 BCE, the site grew to 40,000 square meters (430,000 square feet) and was surrounded by a stone wall 3.6 meters (11.8 feet) high and 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) wide at the base. Our publication has been reviewed for educational use by Common Sense Education, Internet Scout (University of Wisconsin), Merlot (California State University), OER Commons and the School Library Journal. A heavily fortified city with an abundant supply of food and water would normally take many months, even years, to subdue. Note the houses built against the mud brick city wall, which rests on top of the stone retaining wall. We need God. 1400 BC. Robert attended North Greenville University in South Carolina for his undergraduate and Liberty University in Virginia for his Masters. Walls of Jericho | Archaeology, History, Map, & Significance Holland, T.A. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! How in the world does a story of war, destruction, and bloodshed point to grace and mercy? (2016, September 19). They had to go from ground level at the base of the tell to the top of the rampart in order to enter the city. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. I am so glad you are visiting me today. The Israelites Capture JerichoProvidence Lithograph Company (Public Domain). This is a unique find in the annals of archaeology. 3, ed. Humanly speaking, it was impossible for the Israelites to penetrate the impregnable bastion of Jericho. Ramos, A. In the book of Joshua chapter 6, we're told a tale like many others: God wanted the Israelites to conquer Canaan. The Walls of Jericho (1948 film), an American drama film. Unfortunately, she misdated her finds, resulting in what seemed to be a discrepancy between the discoveries of archaeology and the Bible. No matter what your level of interest, from keeping abreast of the fascinating research that comes out of the field work, to actively participating in an archaeological dig, you can become an integral part of our ministry. Excavations at the outer (lower) fortification wall by the three major expeditions to Jericho. 3. God normally offers all of us (saved and unsaved alike) his common graces, such as the sunshine and the rain (Matthew 5:45). What No One Told You About The Fall Of Jericho - Grunge - The world is The grain left at Jericho and found by archaeologists in modern times gives graphic testimony to the obedience of the Israelites nearly three-and-a-half millennia ago. Early Jericho. The Walls of Jericho also protects part of the headwaters of the Paint Rock River watershed, one of the few intact large functional landscapes remaining in the Southeast. Regardless of how much time passes, God will always make good on His promises. Our walls are tall and strong. Interesting take! Hence I pray Lord forgive me of the sins I do unknowingly. The mound, or 'tell,' of Jericho was surrounded by a great earthen rampart, or embankment, with a stone retaining wall at its base. After the seventh trip around the city on the seventh day, Scripture tells us that the wall 'fell flat' (Jos 6:20). Be an alert soldier wearing the full armor of God. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Not the best place to live in time of war! At the north end of the tell of Jericho, archaeologists made some astounding discoveries that seem to relate to Rahab. What Happened in the Battle of Jericho? These probably came from the wall on the summit of the bank [and/or] the brickwork above the revetment.6. With a plentiful food supply and ample water, the inhabitants of Jericho could have held out for perhaps several years. And Joshua listened. We are going to cover the settlement of Jericho from its earliest beginnings until The Battle of Jericho in the Bible. The gates had been locked to keep the Israelites out (see Joshua 6:1). The story of how the walls of Jericho fell is a very well-known story in the Bible. The Walls of Jericho (1914 film), a 1914 American silent drama film. Because Joshua took the time to listen to God and seek His direction, he heard clearly from the Lord what steps to take. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. A portion of the city destroyed by the Israelites was excavated on the east side of the tell. This is a unique find in the annals of archaeology. All of the strong walls of Jericho broke into small pieces and fell down flat! How to Face the Walls of Jericho in Your Life | Faith Island From this location on the north side of the city, it was only a short distance to the hills of the Judean wilderness where the spies hid for three days (Jos 2:16, 22). The jars found in the ruins of Jericho were full, showing that the siege was short since the people inside the walls consumed very little of the grain. Walls of Jericho, massive stone walls surrounding an ancient Neolithic settlement in Jericho, built about 8000 bce. Scouts from the Israelites crept into the walled city of Jericho and hid at the house of Rahab, noted as a prostitute. His left foot rests on part of the fallen wall. In addition, those Canaanites living in surrounding villages would have fled to Jericho for safety. When the archaeology is correctly interpreted, however, the opposite is the case. Continuing excavations have revealed stone towers which are even older. The reason for this negative outlook is the excavation carried out at the site in the 1950s under the direction of British archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon. Perhaps the 'wall' in your life is a result of fear, depression, betrayal, family problems etc. The Walls of Jericho Battle - Bible Story, Verses & Meaning While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Corrections? Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Only Achan disobeyed, leading to the debacle at Ai described in Joshua 7. There are many ideas as to how the walls of Jericho came down. The story of Joshua leading the Israelites to bring down the walls of Jericho is a powerful account that demonstrates the faithfulness and might of the Lord. Paul's gentle, humble attitude established a powerful spiritual weapon against the prideful stance of his opposition. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting on the Lord deepens our faith, increases our trust in Him, and while we wait with faith, God will certainly transform and renew us. But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Joshua:Are you for us or against us? We are Gods beautiful creation. Biblical Archaeology Review 16.2: 44-58. Both Garstang and Kenyon found evidence of earthquake activity at the time the city met its end. Pamela married the perfect man for her and they have two beautiful kiddos. At the time of the attack, the harvest had just been taken in (Jos 3:15), so the citizens had an abundant supply of food. The ups and downs of life may feel unexpected and catch us off guard, but God knows what is coming and will make good out of all circumstances for those who love Him (see Romans 8:28). It is quite possible that this is where Rahabs house was.8 Since the city wall formed the back wall of the houses, the spies could have readily escaped. Joshua was the successor of Moses for God's people. Thank you for all the insight. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Thanks for sharing, I had never compared the walls of Jerico to the walls in my own heart/walk! The Bible says that Jericho fell after only seven days. To put this into perspective, envision a 4 story tall building. For Jericho, this was the judgment of God on their wickedness and idolatry. Narrator: Joshua looked up and saw a man standing with his sword drawn. But there are many times that God allows his judgment to fall such as with the flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the plagues of Egypt, and here in Jericho. Thankful for Gods tender care of me, and His help in tearing down some of the most difficult! The Khirbet el-Maqatir Rams Head: Evidence of the Israelite Destruction of Ai? If God did use an earthquake to accomplish His purposes that day, it was still a miracle since it happened at precisely the right moment, and was manifested in such a way as to protect Rahab's house. The Jericho of Joshua's time could not be found-it was lost! At the north end of the tell of Jericho, archaeologists made some astounding discoveries that seem to relate to Rahab. Narrator: One day Joshua walked towards the city of Jericho. Robert Hampshireis a pastor, teacher, writer, and leader. But at the same time I know that the Lord will bless your hands for taking care of her . 220-24 in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East, Vol. Fair to Midland is an American progressive rock band that formed in 1998 and is based in Dallas, Texas. Visit the ABR Web site. This has been borne out by many large jars full of grain found in the Canaanite homes by John Garstang in his excavation in the 1930s and also by Kenyon. Tell es-Sultan (Sultan's Hill), 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) north of modern-day Jericho, became the earliest permanent settlement. The outside wall rested on top of a stone base. The citizens of Jericho were well prepared for a siege. Section drawing of Kenyon's west trench, showing the fallen mud bricks from the collapsed city wall (red area to the left of retaining wall KD). You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. Kenyon, K.M. Sellin, E., and Watzinger, C. 1973 Jericho die Ergebnisse der Ausgrabungen. "Early Jericho." Camels in Genesis are Right Where They Belong, Joseph's Estate Plan (Entrusted with the Sacred Things), Locating Sodom: A Critique of the Northern Proposal, The Duration of the Israelite Sojourn In Egypt, The Patriarch Job, Chalcolithic Ossuary Jars, and the Resurrection of the Body, Shechem: Its Archaeological and Contextual Significance, The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Part 2, The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Part 1, Foreshadowings of the Messiah's Resurrection, Is the Bible Syncretistic Literature? 1 John 1:7. I especially appreciated the point about Rahab separating herself from Jericho- being in the world but not belonging to it. I am so sorry to hear about your experiences with your mother. This ancient biblical passage is full of relevance for believers today. I am praying your triplets are well and you have much strength dear friend! The city of Jericho was surrounded by walls so that no one was able to get in, and the walls served as solid protection against attacks. Those walls are very strong. We can also learn some valuable lessons on leadership, teamwork, and courage when looking at this story as an allegory to the spiritual warfare that we face every day in our Christian life. 1990 Did the Israelites Conquer Jericho? Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. It was known to have double walls with one standing tall at over 10 feet and one way to enter would have been by destroying all the people inside. The walls of Jericho were no ordinary walls. This incredible passage in the Book of Joshua holds many valuable lessons that we as Christians can learn from and apply to our lives and understanding of God.