Sounding the Horns of Doom at the Battle of Jericho – Part I
Joshua was a great military leader and a controversial figure in the Bible. With Moses’ death at Mount Nebo, Joshua was elected the new leader of the tribes of Israel. Under Joshua’s leadership, the Israelites would continue in their quest to possess the land of Canaan believed promised to them by God. It was during this conquest that two important battles and their outcomes took place that would demonstrate the harshness and psychological aspects of war at Jericho, and at the same time highlight the brilliance of Joshua’s military thinking at Ai.
On the Road to Jericho
Joshua’s conquest of Canaan began with Israelites pulling out of Shittim, an ancient city in Moab, now Abil-ez-Zeit, Jordan. Once the spies had made contact with a willing ally in Jericho named Rahab, who provided valuable information, the Israelites marched to the banks of the Jordan, where they encamped. Three days later Joshua gave the order to cross. Those to cross first were the Levites who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant.
‘The Ark Passes Over the Jordan’ ( Public Domain )
