Chapter 7: The March

Then God gave Joshua the seven-day battle plan. Israel would march around the city in silence. And Joshua made it clear to the people:

JOSHUA“Do not give a war cry. Do not raise your voices. Do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout.”— Joshua 6:10

For six days, the procession was the same. The armed guard marched first. Behind them, seven priests blowing trumpets made of rams' horns. Behind the priests, the Ark of the Covenant. Behind the Ark, the rear guard. They circled the city once each day, in complete silence, and returned to camp.

Meanwhile, the soldiers on Jericho's walls watched this happen day after day while their confusion turned to something unsettling.

For the seventh day, God had instructed them to march around the city seven times. On the seventh circuit, as the priests blew a long, sustained blast on the trumpets, Joshua spoke to the people.

JOSHUA“Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! The city and everything in it are devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab and those in her house shall be spared. Keep away from the devoted things. Do not take any of them, or you will bring destruction on the camp of Israel.”

Six days of silence broke in a single roar. And the walls of Jericho collapsed. The entire wall fell flat to the ground. Then every man walked straight into the city.