The Lord told Joshua, “The wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him” (Josh. 6:5). The language is about a collapse downward. This image matters so that we don’t misunderstand the prediction. The wall isn’t going to fall outward as one piece, for then it would put the marching Israelites in danger. And it isn’t going to fall inward toward the confines of the city. The prediction is that the wall will collapse—it “will fall down flat.” The fulfillment of this promise is recorded.

The most well-known story in the book of Joshua is, probably, the story of Jericho’s fall in Joshua 6. But well-known stories aren’t always known as well as they could be. Familiarity has a way, sometimes, of obscuring key—even obvious—truths.

If we took some time to slowly read through the story about Jericho’s fall with fresh eyes, we could make a series of observations, which include these six:

1. The Administration of Jericho Refused to Surrender

I’m using the language of “refusal” because the people of Jericho knew what Rahab knew. She had said “the fear of you has fallen upon us” and “all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you” (Josh. 2:9). They had heard what God did in Egypt and at the Red Sea, and they knew what God had done to the two kings Sihon and Og (2:10).

Knowing these truths, Rahab confessed the living God and was ready to trust him (Josh. 2:11–13). Knowing these same truths, the others in Jericho did not trust in the Lord. They refused him, shutting their city. In Joshua 6:1 we read that “Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in.” The reaction of the city (in Josh. 6:1) was a collective hardening of heart. It was a refusal of repentance. It was a doubling down on their stance against Yahweh and against his people.

2. Only Specific Israelites Were to March Around the City

Growing up and hearing Bible stories, I used to imagine that the whole nation of Israel marched around Jericho every day for six days and then seven times on the seventh day. But that’s not what happened. The group of marchers was very specific.

In 6:3–4 and 6:8–9, we learn that Israelite warriors were placed at the front and the rear of the procession. In the middle of the front and rear guard were seven priests who held seven trumpets, and after these priests came other priests who held up the ark of the Lord. So: Israelite warriors, then seven priests who trumpeted, then priests bearing the ark, and finally a rear guard of warriors. All other Israelites would have remained in Gilgal, at their encampment.

3. The Marchers Were to Remain Silent as They Walked

You might imagine that when ancient warriors approached and attacked a city, the air was filled with their shouts and rallying cries.

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