The wisdom of the preparations appears, in that they secured,
II. The fall of the city—
The manner in which it was taken was indeed surprising —
[The armed men were appointed to go round the city in perfect silence d, once every day for six successive days; and, on the seventh day, they were to compass it seven times. In the midst of this procession the ark was to be carried by the priests, and to be preceded by seven priests with " trumpets of rams' horns," (or rather with the trumpets of jubilee e,) which they were to sound during the whole procession. On the seventh day, at the seventh time of compassing the city, the army, on a signal given, were to shout: and behold, no sooner did they shout, than the walls on every side fell down flat, opening a ready way of access for the hosts of Israel, and causing the dis- concerted men of Jericho to fall an easy prey to their invaders.]
It is also replete with instruction —
[We are not warranted perhaps to speak of this event as typical: nevertheless it was doubtless intended to convey most important instruction to all succeeding ages; and to shew to them, how easily God can make a way for the accomplishment of his own purposes, and for the salvation of his own people. If it did not typify, it certainly well illustrates, the victories which the Gospel was to obtain over all the principalities and powers of earth and hell. No human force was used : nothing but the sound of the gospel trumpet prevailed for the subver- sion of Satan's kingdom. Though preached by men of no education, it proved effectual for the destruction of idolatry, and the establishment of the Redeemer's power, throughout the earth. In like manner at this time it prevails over the lusts and prejudices of mankind : the publication of it is committed to weak and sinful men, who go forth in Jehovah's name to subdue the world to the obedience of faith: and though " the weapons of our warfare are not carnal," nor such as appear likely to be wielded with success, yet are they " mighty through God to the pulling down of strong-holds," and to the " bring- ing" of, not only the actions, but even "the thoughts, of men, into captivity to the obedience of Christ f." As for the weak- ness of the instruments, God has selected such on purpose, " that the excellency of the power may appear to be of himg."
d ver. 10.
e Rams' horns being solid, would be unfit for the purpose. The other seems the preferable translation. See Numb. x. 1 — 10. f 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. s 2 Cor. iv. 7.