Joshua 5-8: Do Words Really Matter?

But Joshua had commanded the army, “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!” So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the army returned to camp and spent the night there. - Joshua 6:10  NIV

The Battle of Jericho was not a war of words.  In fact, for the first six days, they were completely silent.  Not only were they silent, but they were recently circumcised, they had celebrated Passover and the manna had stopped.   One could guess they were still feeling the residual effects of all that had recently transpired, but that was of little consequence.  The only thing that mattered was that God had sent his messenger once again.  This time, the messenger was the 'Commander of the Army of the Lord'. The people did as he told them to do, they marched silently around Jericho for six days with only the sound of the trumpets.  Then on the seventh day, when the trumpets blew they shouted and Jericho fell.

Such was not the case with the next city they tried to conquer.  After Jericho, Ai looked like an easy target, but their was sin in their midst.  One of the Israelites had been tempted by the plunder of Jericho and it affected all of their actions.  They would not be successful until they gave back that which was devoted to God and God only. 

I wonder, if the Commander of the Army of the Lord appeared in our midst today, what he would say.  Perhaps, we should use less words and more soul searching if we want to be victorious.