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Joshua Ch. 6.
** Resurrection Life Handles it All! **
Chapter 5 is Resurrection Life causing Water to "stand upon an heap"
Chapter 6 is Resurrection Life causing "walls to fall down flat" The Lord is very versatile, there are many issues where that which stands "shut up" needs to "fall down flat" and many issues where things are flowing like the river of Jordan (Jordan means "decender") into death (The Dead sea.) that need to be stopped and "stand upon an heap"
The Children of Israel could only advance into the promised land by the power of God; which is for humanity dwelling in the regions of death, the experience of "Resurrection Life". Christ came to give abundant life and he did that by conquering the grave and swallowing it up with Resurrection Life. All humanity dwells in the shadow of death and is occupied with grave enriching nothingness. Matthew 6:31-32 (KJV)  31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
There can be NO forward gains in the purposes of God without "Resurrection Life"; in other words without Jesus as he has said with his own words.. John 15:5 (KJV) 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
** Eternal Value of EVERYTHING! **
What have you been doing today? is your answer nothing? How much is daily living filled with nothingness. in Eternity's terms; cleaning house, mowing lawns, ironing, washing, shopping, de-fleaing the cat, spending time in academic studies, rideing the stock market, leisure time on the tennis court, cleaning the crystal, shining the silver, counting the dollars saved and a myriad of other things which all may have varying values of importance in the natural but our heart should be fixed on the eternal value of everything. "Lord please be in my day today, raise me up above the death breathing natural into the God breathed eternal so that your "meaty" purposes of eternity are accomplished with me and through me issuing in lasting pleasure and joy" even though I may have to vacuum the carpet and clean the bathroom.
** See **
Joshua's wonderful encounter with This Mighty Captain of the Lord's host (who is none other than Jesus Christ) continues in the beginning of ch. 6 with the Lord's declaration to "see" that The Lord had given the City to Israel. The encouragement as Vine also suggests was for Joshua to "Perceive".
Hebrew Strong's Number: 7200
Hebrew Word: ???????
Transliteration: r??â
Phonetic Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Root: a primitive root
Cross Reference: TWOT - 2095
Part of Speech: v
Vine's Words: See (To), Perceive
A primitive root; to see, literal or figurative (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative) :- advise self, appear, approve, behold, × certainly, consider, discern, perceive ... +++.
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
The Fact that the Lord was there to meet Joshua with a sword drawn in his hand exuding such power and Glory was ample evidence and encouragement for Joshua to "perceive" that there was a great Victory ahead under the mighty hand of this "Captain" who then proceeded to give instructions of the victory plan. [Chapter 6 verse one is a continuation of Joshua's encounter with this mighty captain at the end of ch. 5.]
As we get to know this Glorious Captain of our salvation we shall "perceive" the wonderful victories he has for us to enter into the "Promised Land" of his purpose and rich blessing; after all it is Jesus (our Joshua) we are following contrary to the drum beat of this world and if we don't see Him with "a sword drawn in his hand" there is very little encouragement for us to "see" that, that which is "straightly shut up" could ever possibly fall.
** Only by Glory! **
Why did the Lord reveal his glory to Peter James and John? Why? - Because there were Battles, percecutions and trials ahead mixed with blessings that he had prepared for them; into which they could only dare to enter with a knowledge of his power and glory.
** Sword Drawn for You! **
Dear brother and sister you have by you as with Joshua, a mighty captain of your salvation with "a drawn sword in his hand" He is "the first and the last", the same one that John saw on the Isle of Patmos who is unfailing in his defence of you and will bring you through. Fear not!
After this meeting of revealed glory you can be sure that Joshua was filled with joy and purpose to advance by faith
** Straightly Shut Up! **
A trouble and difficulty that defies all possibilities; enough to make one to be discouraged and lament.
Sometimes The Lord can allow obstacles that you could only term "straightly shut up". Paul had a "thorn in the flesh" concerning which he sought the Lord for it's removal and the Lord gave him resurrection victory of grace. Job faced being "straightly shut up" to great difficulties but the Lord raised up an answer to his plight with great blessing that was double the huge quantity that he enjoyed in material things but most of all the soul lesson and the spiritual blessing produced a man of giant spiritual worth.
Jonah certainly knew what it meant to be "Staitly shut up" in the Lord's appointed "fishing trip" inside the fish at the bottom of the ocean! and he said "The earth with her bars was about me forever" [Jonah 2:6.] Jesus said that resurrection would be the only "sign" that would authenticate tokens of his authority and power just like the resurrection of Jonah from the depths of the earth in the prison of the whale and so a "great city" was spiritually "raised from the dead" through the preaching of this resurrection powered evangelist! We need to make no mistake about the absolute reality that Fruitfulness and the work of the Lord can only spring forth as it did with Jonah in resurrection Life!(the fish spat Jonah out "upon the dry land") [Jonah 2:10.]
** Rams Horns Announcement of
Power and Celebration! **
The rams' horns speak of rejoicing and celebration. The trumpets were to be blown in the celebrations of the year of Jubile concerning the will of God for every man and his family to be free and be positioned to gain a full inheritance among the Lord's people. When the Lord spoke to Abraham of this Land of Inheritance, Abraham asked "how shall I know that I shall inherit it": [Genesis 15:9-21.] He was advised to gather a sacrifice and one of the animals was to be a ram. Abraham experienced at this offering among other things "a horror of great darkness" in connection with the Children of Israel but there appeared among the alter offering a "smoking furnace and a burning Lamp" which was a reminder to Abraham that the God of Israel was "a consuming fire" and that he would see to it that the 'seed of Abraham" would come into their inheritance because of the strength of the alter atoning sacrifice which pointed to the all powerful atonement provision of Christ upon the cross.The ram (in the Hebrew word expression) speaks of strength and this "strength" was clearly illustrated to Abraham, and in the cerimonial law the ram was stipulated for the purpose of "atonement" and "consecration" of the people and in particular the priesthood. Christ's atonement for us on the cross was a Powerful atonement of great strength and Grace that takes sinners (as Hannah prayed) from the dunghill and sets them among Princes and causes them to inherit the throne of Glory; what good reasons there are as Paul said ... 2 Timothy 2:1 (KJV) 1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
As Israel moved toward Jericho it was in this atonement strength of God's power with them and the Jubile celebration of every man entering into his God given promise and inheritance that the Priesthood were to go forward blowing on their "Jubile rams' horns". How great should our rejoicing be In Jesus for all the great inheritence of His unsearchable riches! There is no Victory where there is no Blowing out a joy and celebration of his grace and glory. This instruction of "Blowing the rams horns" was vital in the conquest of Jericho and "the joy of the Lord" is a vital quality and condition for spiritual progress.
Jesus is Reaching for You.
 God Bless.
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Joshua Ch. 6. Victory Under The Mighty Captain.