Joshua 6:26, commentary and pictures

Joshua adjured Israel at that time in solemn declaration before all Israel, cursing before the Lord any man who should rise up and build the city Jericho, that he would lay its foundation at the cost of his firstborn and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son. The destruction of Jericho is presented as a judgment from God, and its restoration is forbidden under this curse.

The curse belongs to the divine instruction for the capture of Jericho as the first step in the conquest of Canaan. Joshua had sought assurance of divine guidance, and near the camp Christ Himself stood before him as Captain of the host of the Lord, accepted his worship, assured him that Jericho with its king and mighty men was given into his hand, and directed how the city would be taken.

Jericho was judged and devoted to destruction as a heathen stronghold and center of the vilest and most degrading Canaanite idolatry, the worship of Ashtoreth. It was devoted to extravagant idolatry and was very wealthy, corrupt and blasphemous, crediting its gold and silver and riches to its gods and provoking the God of Heaven by wicked works. The city fell by divine power after its walls were thrown down and its inhabitants slain. The Captain of the Lord's host came from Heaven to lead the armies of Heaven against the city, and angels laid hold of the massive walls and brought them to the ground, so that no human hand brought the walls down.

The whole city with all it contained was declared accursed to destruction as a sacrifice to God as the first-fruits of the land. Under that ban every living thing in the city was put to the sword and the city was burned with its palaces and wealth, except faithful Rahab with her household who was saved because of the favor she showed the messengers of the Lord, while what fire could not destroy, the silver and gold and vessels of brass and iron, was devoted to the service of the tabernacle. God caused the city to be destroyed and laid its site under a curse never to be rebuilt as a stronghold, intending it to remain unbuilt as a lasting monument of His displeasure and judgment from God. It was left desolate under God for five centuries, so that even the life-giving springs that had made that part of the valley desirable were blighted.

The curse and the command to keep from the accursed thing were God's particular guard to keep Israel from being charmed by Jericho's attractive groves and shrines, temples and altars and worshiped things and having their hearts diverted from Him. They were to impress on Israel that in Canaan they fought not for themselves but simply as instruments to execute the will of God, not for riches or self-exaltation but for the glory of Jehovah their King. The curse was fulfilled when Hiel the Beth-elite rebuilt Jericho in the days of Ahab's apostasy after Jezebel revived Ashtoreth worship, the ancient seat of that worship. That rebuilding was sanctioned by Ahab in defiance of the prohibition, and Hiel lost his firstborn Abiram when laying the foundation and his youngest son Segub when setting up the gates, showing that God's word through Joshua came to pass.

The conquest of Jericho was a victory unlike any in the history of nations, won by simple means against the power and skill of a bold, warlike race because God fought for His people and directed the work. The victory must be ascribed to God alone who was to receive the glory, with human agents taking part but taking no credit. It glorified His name, strengthened the faith of Israel, and brought terror, shame and confusion on the surrounding nations. It teaches that the only sure ground of success is the help of God working with human effort, not human wisdom and skill, and that humble trust in God and faithful, implicit obedience to His commands apart from the maxims and customs of the world are as essential in Christian spiritual warfare as they were at Jericho.