To see Joshua and his army, with seven priests blowing ram's horns, marching round Jericho once every day, and on the seventh day seven times, what could the men of Jericho think? Doubtless that it was the foolish parade of a set of weak-headed men. Had they told them, behold, on the seventh day's blowing of the ram's horns, the strong walls of your city shall fall down al our shouting, without any human power, they would have laughed them to scorn as a set of dreaming enthusiasts. The obedience of faith is the scorn and ridicule of carnal men. What of that? Our Lord was pleased with it. They had his word for their warrant; they believed his word; they did as he commanded; the event was as he promised: the Lord soon made it manifest who were the fools and madmen.
But why is it said, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down?" Was not this effected by the power of God Yes, but it was according to the faith of the Israelites, and agreeable to the word of God, which was the ground of their faith. Divine faith and divine truth are inseparable. So it is said, "by faith" we are "justified," and "have peace with God." Rom. 5:1. Yet "it is God who justifieth." Rom. 8:33. Faith no more procures justification than the Israelites threw down the walls of Jericho! The righteousness of Christ solely obtains this for us. But as they did, so we do by faith shout, Christ and salvation. All opposition from sin and Satan fall before us; we see the kingdom of heaven open to us.
Here was the obedience of faith. Though to carnal sense and reason the means commanded were even ridiculous, yet they obeyed. Study the Lord's word; obey his will; at his ordinances; look to the Lord for the promised blessing.
Here was the patience of faith. They encompassed the city seven days, and repeated their work. O christian, be not weary; hold on and hold out till the seventh day, the Sabbath of thy eternal rest, comes. Says Bishop Hall, "A good heart groans under his infirmities: fain would he be rid of them; he strives and prays; but when he hath done all, until the end of the seventh day, it cannot be." At God's time the walls fell: not one moment sooner. His word cannot fail. So, believer, at God's appointed time (you are immortal till then) shall your body, the prison-walls of your soul, fall. O, then faith may shout, "There remaineth a rest for the people of God" Heb. 4:9.