Joshua and the Walls of Jericho — Bible story for kids

Jericho was shut tight because the Israelites were near. Before they arrived, Joshua had sent two spies into the city. Rahab hid them on her rooftop beneath bundles of flax laid out to dry. When the king’s men came searching, she sent them away in another direction.

Rahab had heard how the Lord had rescued Israel from Egypt and defeated powerful kings. She believed that Israel’s God was God in heaven above and on earth beneath. That night, she lowered the spies from her window with a cord, for her home was built into the city wall. The spies promised to spare Rahab and everyone gathered inside her house. A scarlet cord in her window would mark the safe place.

Soon all Israel stood beside the Jordan River. The river was overflowing its banks. The priests carried the ark of the covenant and stepped into the rushing water first. At once, the water upstream stopped and stood apart. The priests remained on dry ground in the riverbed while the entire nation crossed safely.

Then Israel came to Jericho. Its strong gates were locked. Its high walls and towers loomed above the people. But the Lord gave Joshua an unusual plan.

For six days, Israel marched around Jericho once each day. Armed men went first. Seven priests followed, blowing rams’ horns. Other priests carried the ark of the Lord, and a rear guard came behind it. The horns sounded, but the people did not shout or speak. They marched quietly and returned to camp.

Day after day, they obeyed. Jericho’s walls did not move. Its gates did not open. Still, Joshua, the priests, and the people followed every instruction God had given them.

On the seventh day, they rose early. This time, they circled Jericho seven times. At the end of the seventh circle, the priests gave one long blast on their horns.

Joshua told the people to shout because the Lord had given them the city. A mighty shout rose from Israel. Then Jericho’s walls fell flat. Dust rose into the air, and the Israelite soldiers went straight into the city.

God had commanded that Jericho be destroyed in judgment. The silver, gold, bronze, and iron were set apart for the Lord’s treasury. The city was burned, but Joshua remembered the promise made to Rahab.

The two spies hurried to Rahab’s house, where the scarlet cord hung in the window. That part of the wall remained safe. They brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and everyone who belonged to her family. Young and old came safely out together.

Rahab had once been an outsider in Jericho. Because she trusted the Lord and welcomed his messengers, she was welcomed among Israel. She lived with God’s people, and many years later she became part of the family line that led to Jesus.

Jericho’s walls had looked impossible to move. Yet Israel obeyed quietly for six days and shouted only when God commanded. At God’s chosen time, the walls fell.