The battle of Jericho is an epic story of faith and victory, but did it really happen? Skeptics say no, it is merely a folk tale.
The Bible speaks clearly. The walls of Jericho collapsed when the Israelites marched around the city, worshiped and shouted. Archaeological discoveries confirm it.
Historically, when a city’s wall is breached, either an army uses a battering ram to break the wall inward or builds a ramp for soldiers to climb up and over the wall. Neither happened at Jericho. Archaeological digs have discovered that the walls crumbled on top of themselves, and then tumbled outwards.
That allowed the Israelite army immediate access. That’s exactly what the Bible says: “the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city” (Joshua 6:20).
Now, the citizens of Jericho were well prepared for a siege. They had built a freshwater spring, and at the time of Israel’s attack, the Bible says that the harvest had just been taken in so they had plenty of food (Joshua 3:15).
Guess what archaeologists have found. Lots of large jars in Jericho homes, full of grain. Also, charred evidence of a sudden fire. Here’s what the Bible says happened after the Israelites marched in through the crumbled walls, “they burned the whole city and everything in it” (Joshua 6:24).
It’s rather strange for archeologists to find full jars of grain in a besieged and conquered city. A siege takes a long time so the food is usually depleted. Also, if there is any food left, the victorious army takes it with them. But not in Jericho. Why might that be?
This siege took only a week, and then the Bible explains in Joshua’s words, “The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent” (Joshua 6:17).
God didn’t need the plunder of Jericho to take care of his people. God wanted everything burned, for a fresh new start with him in charge.
Rahab, the sinful woman who hid two Israelite spies, repented of her sins and risked her life to help God’s army. She and her family were spared, making a new start of their own.
Isn’t it amazing how the stories unearthed by archaeology eventually fit with the stories told in Scripture?! God’s Word is true.
PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for archaeology, science and the study of history. Thank you for your true Word. Bless our world with those whose skill and expertise seeks your wisdom above their own. Amen.
EVANGELISM ACTION: Share this message with a friend who appreciates science and might be skeptical about Scripture.
