Introduction: The historical record of the Battle of Jericho teaches us important spiritual lessons about the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Our release from bondage to sin

Achieving victory over sin

The Battle of Jericho occurs over the 7 days of Unleavened Bread

Joshua 5:2-8 They were circumcised in preparation for the Passover

Joshua 5:10-12 They observed the Passover and began eating unleavened bread

Joshua 6:1-5 Instructions to march around the city 7 days

Why was Israel going to attack and destroy Jericho?

As we have just read, the battle of Jericho took place after the observance of the Passover on the 14th day. And to truly understand why and how Israel ended up here on the west side of the Jordan ready to attack the city of Jericho with its very thick, very high, guarded walls and fortified gate… we have to go back to the first Passover that took place back in Egypt.

Israel was Redeemed from Slavery to Serve God

Exodus 1:13 Israel was enslaved by Egypt

Exodus 3:10-12 God was going to redeem them from their slavery and servitude… so that they could serve Him.

 

God was going to remove Israel from their service as slaves to the Egyptian Pharaoh (or state). From now on God would be their king… He would feed them, provide them with clothing, He would give them a home… the promised land. But God would do much more than take care of their physical needs… He would be their lawgiver and teacher!

 

Egypt does not give up without a fight. God does battle with the Egyptians unleashing terrible plagues that not only bring them to their knees but show His power and authority over all the things that their supposed god’s ruled… the supposed god of the Nile, the supposed god of the sky etc. Finally, he unleashed His equivalent of the atomic bomb. He vows to kill all their first born if they do not surrender.

 

And so God did just that on 14th day… the day we call the Passover.

Exodus 13:3-10

The Feast of Unleavened Bread pictures release from bondage

Israel was instructed to observe these days to remind them of their release from the hard physical bondage to the Egyptians. But Israel’s release was so much more… Israel was not simply set loose to run and scatter like a bunch of zoo animals where the cages had all been left open. NO, Israel was taken from their hard dark lives of bondage into a different kind of service under a different master… God Himself! Leviticus 25:55, 26:13

 

Deuteronomy 5:6, 15 6:1-3 the 10 Commandments are presented within the framework of redemption from bondage in Egypt. (see also 15:15, 16:12, 24:18, 22). Not only were they redeemed from physical slavery, they were redeemed from ignorance. They were given God’s holy righteous law so that they might enjoy long life and good things in the land. They would be given REST from their hard service and safety from their oppressors. Deuteronomy 12:10 free from war and strife etc.

 

For Christians, the Days of Unleavened Bread are also a time when we consider and remember our deliverance from bondage and ignorance of the truth. Keeping the Feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity AND TRUTH … During these days we consider and remember how we were are brought out of our slavery to sin and into the service of God… but not as mere servants. We are to be sons, children, heirs!

 

Romans 6:3-6, 12-23 Just like Israel we are not set free so that we may go where ever our spirit takes us. We are brought into service of the one who freed us so that we might serve Him. “Obedience to righteousness”

 

John 8:30-45, 56

Hebrews 11: 16 instead they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one

 

The Feast of Unleavened Bread shows how we win the battle for the better country

We left off in the book of Joshua with Israel poised and ready to begin the long-awaited day when they would take possession of the promised land where they would find rest from hardship and oppression. But first there were some battles to be fought.

 

Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (see also -- Deuteronomy 7:1-16 etc.)

The people who were living there were to be eradicated COMPLETELY. Why?

As punishment for their abominations before God.

So they would not influence Israel and lead them into idolatry and sin.

 

Joshua 6:6-21 The attack and destruction of the city – on the last day of the 7 days of Unleavened Bread the walls fall and the city is destroyed. Jericho was only the first of many such cities that would have to be destroyed but it was the first and in some ways it is presented as the ideal pattern for how God wanted Israel to deal with the Canaanites.

 

It is also a pattern for our battle with sin that we picture during these 7 days of Unleavened Bread by putting leaven out of our lives.

 

II Corinthians 10:3-6 casting down every stronghold

Romans 8:13 – Col 3:1-17 putting to death the sin that is in our lives and our minds

The Disobedience of Achan

Joshua 7:1 Achan disobeys

Joshua 7:14-26 Achan (and family destroyed; just like Canaanites)

 

Ephesians 5:5-10 everything not fit for the kingdom of God will be burned.

 

Conclusion: Going into battle is a frightening thing. Israel standing on the plains of Jericho could see their enemy, they could also see their prize. You and I face principalities of power and wickedness in high places we cannot see and we face an enemy within… our own minds which long for fleshly things. The walls we face are high, sometimes built up over many years. And like Israel we are not much to look at. God has not chosen us because we are special or deserving of His attention… but because we are ordinary. The one thing we have to be is willing.

Joshua 1:2-9