Zion UCC

Once a month at Zion United Church of Christ, a well-known Bible story is incorporated into the worship service as an informational item. This is done to remind people of events in the Bible that sometimes might not be completely understood. This past Sunday, the story was about Joshua and the battle of Jericho. The book of Joshua follows the first five books of the Old Testament, called the Penta

teuch, which are often attributed to Moses. In the book of Joshua, a new leader takes the place of the deceased Moses. He is the son of Nun who was Moses’ minister, or attendant, since his youth. After crossing the river Jordan with all of Israel, Joshua’s first test was the city of Jericho. Two spies were sent into the city where its residents had already heard how the people of Israel had crossed the river Jordan on dry land. The spies became hunted men in the city. Rahab the harlot, hid the spies and helped them escape. The spies returned to the Israelite people and plans were made to invade Jericho. God spoke to Joshua about the invasion. A procession of seven priests with trumpets made of ram’s horns, followed by the Ark of the Covenant, more priests, and all the men of war were to march around the city once each day for six days. The priest were to blow their trumpets. On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times while the priests blew their horns. Then, when the priests made a final long blast, all of the people were to make a great shout. This was done according to God’s instructions. The walls fell down flat when the shout went up and the people of Israel went into the city and destroyed it all, except, as agreed, Rahab and her family who were spared because she had helped the spies. All spoils of gold, silver, and iron were to go to the treasury of Israel, nothing was to be kept personally. But someone must have kept something for himself, for things did not go so well after that. Joshua’s next venture went wrong. He had sent three thousand men to take the city of Ai. Defended only by 36 men, the city of Ai was able to beat back the Israelites. It is just like this today. With God all things are possible, but turn your back on Him, and failure is the result. Today it often seems like our nation is turning its back on God. As God-fearing people we cannot turn away. We must get down on our knees and pray for the people of this country and the world. Dennis Hanner, Pastor Zion UCC