William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Hebrews 11:30

After the faith of Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea, we have here the faith of Joshua and the Israelites before Jericho, recorded and related. Jericho was. walled and well-fenced city, and. frontier town, that kept them from entering into Canaan. God commanded them not to fight, but to walk, to go round the city seven days, and he would give them an unexpected entrance into it; they believe and obey, and the success was according to their desire: By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, &c.

Here note, 1. The grace exercesed, faith: they believed God upon his word, they enter Canaan at this frontier town; God remembers his promise, and disappoints not the faith and expectation of his people.

Note, 2. The readiness and exactness of the people's obedience; they compassed the town so many days, they do what God commands, and no more; here is no mount raised, no engine planted, no sword drawn, they only walk, not fight. Doubtless the men of Jericho made themselves merry with this sight, and said one to another, "What, will these men beat down our city with their eyes? Will they conquer us only by gazing upon us?"

And farther, as the army only must encompass the city, so must the priests blow the rams'-horns;. contemptible mean! had they made use of the silver trumpets of the sanctuary, that had been. good ground to hope for success, they being the symbols and sacred signs of God's presence with them; but verily trumpets of rams'-horns seemed more fit to move laughter, than to do execution; yet assuredly no ram of iron could have been so forcible for battery as these rams'-horns, when God had appointed them. It is the praise of omnipotency ofttimes to work improbabilities.

Note, 3. The event and success which followed their faith, and accompanied their obedience, The walls of Jericho fell down. Nothing can stand before the power of God and the faith of his people. If we will believe God's promises, and execute his commands, we need no shifts nor artifices, no power nor policy of our own, to work deliverance for us.

Learn hence, That when faith makes use of the means prescribed by God, though it cannot discern what influence the means can have to the end aimed at, yet the issue and event shall certainly be according to God's appointment and faith's expectation; By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after, &c.

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Hebrews 11:30

Old Testament

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