The Book of Joshua – Part 6: ‘The Irony of the Moon Standing Upon a Moon’ for its Destruction – Joshua 6:1-17

[Study Aired March 25, 2023]

In the last study, we reviewed Israel crossing the Jordan and erecting two memorials for the house of Israel’s presence and for any who enquired. One was on the west bank of the Jordan, and the other was in the midst of the Jordan.

The relatively small, yet strongly walled, city of Jericho now confronts Israel’s growing strength through miracle empowerment. As with Israel, our successes, trials and sufferings teach us humility and deep respect for our Lord. A
miraculous win over our small trials likewise empowers us to forge ahead and, disappointedly, can cause us to be puffed up with a sense of having arrived at a full understanding.

For now, Israel is taking baby steps at confronting her enemies and learning the vital principle of trusting in her Lord’s strength to fight her battles. Her physical battles are our daily spiritual battles.

Jos 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
Jos 6:2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
Jos 6:3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.
Jos 6:4  And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of ram’s horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
Jos 6:5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.
Jos 6:6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.
Jos 6:7 And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.
Jos 6:8 And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.
Jos 6:9 And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
Jos 6:10  And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.
Jos 6:11  So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
Jos 6:12  And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
Jos 6:1  And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
Jos 6:14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.
Jos 6:15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.
Jos 6:16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
Jos 6:17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

The Body of Christ is well versed, knowing that in Joseph’s dream, his ten brothers represented the stars, the coming nation of Israel, and the sun represented Issac, their father, and the moon, Rebecca, their mother.

Gen 37:8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
Gen 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
Gen 37:10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to theeto the earth?

In the preceding studies in Joshua, we saw that the meaning of Jericho means “Moon”. How ironic that the developing Woman, the church in the wilderness represented as the ‘Moon’, will stand upon the ‘bowed down’ walls and city of Jericho, the figurative mother ‘Moon’ and one of the heathen nations for whom Israel became a lover.

Jos 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

Today, the rejected anointed Moon of Babylonian Christianity is “shut up” and darkens the word of God anytime we ingest her spirit of a different Jesus. Her iniquities are sealed for judgment at the time of her end on the eighth day; she is the negative of the Lord’s little flock who likewise is shut up where nobody other than those the Lord chooses can go out or come in to gain the Lord’s truths (Mar 4:11-12).

Israel, being the Woman, is clothed in the sun of the milk of the word and, standing on the symbolic Moon of Jericho and soon her heathen sisters, is given the power and strength of her Lord to lay flat the strong man’s walls that without the Lord’s miracles, would strike fear in her heart. (Rev 12:1-6, Mar 3:27, Mat 12:29). Ultimately, she becomes a strong man in harmony with her Lord with her enemies under her feet.

Psa 19:1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the expanse proclaims His handiwork.
Psa 19:2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor are there words; their voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4 Their line has gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, [The Bride is the Tabernacle of the Lord, the Son]
Psa 19:5 and he comes forth as a bridegroom from his canopy; he rejoices as a strong man to run a race.

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

The Woman with the Moon under her feet becomes equal in Christ, the strong man, in rulership, not headship, as Joseph was made equal in rulership under Pharaoh’s headship (Genesis 41). So is the Bride of Christ being made to rule all of Egypt within and rout her enemies, starting with the Moon of Jericho, a small representation of the developing Great Whore of lying wonders.

Jos 6:2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
Jos 6:3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.
Jos 6:4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

By our Lord’s power and might alone, we are given to rule over Satan and his demons symbolised as the King of Jericho and his mighty men of valour (Eph 6:12, Jam 4:7, Luk 10:17).

Luk 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

The significance of Israel’s men of war, once each day marching behind the Priests carrying the Ark of the Lord for six days, represents our flesh (666) for six thousand years torturously living our ways. Even though our trials and heartaches are of the Lord, and we flip-flop between loving and rejecting him, the arduous process, as it will be for Israel, is to teach us to trust in God. Knowing the end of the saga from personal experience, the Body of Christ knows that we are doomed to fail in our battles unless the Lord is going before us on every occasion.

Exo 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exo 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

The number 7 mentioned three times is significant since it represents completion, especially judgment. The Lord’s Elect alone is the first, as symbolised by Israel, to work six days depending upon their Lord, and not knowing how He will perform His miracles of conversion for Him to give them possession of Him on the seventh day depicted as Jericho’s fall, the small beginnings of many larger deaths within.

To the Amorites inhabiting Jericho (Jos 5:1), their initial intrigue must have turned into derision for this parade of ‘fools’ marching around their walls each day, and then contempt with underlying foreboding when the memory of Israel’s previous accomplishments come to mind. It mirrors the Body of Christ’s experiences with our brothers and sisters in Babylon as they deride our Christ-given understanding when they all parrot, ‘We are already saved, Christ did it all on the cross, and we don’t have to lift a finger.’

Psa 44:13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
Psa 44:14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
Psa 44:15 My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
Psa 44:16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.

Jos 6:5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

Individually, we are watchmen upon the wall of our city, the New Jerusalem within. Hearing the sound of the trumpet in us and behind us reminds us to call on the Lord to deliver us from our insidious trials and others we see approaching. If we deliberately reject the still, small voice behind us (in our minds), our blood will be upon our heads since we know the Lord’s will and don’t live it.

The people of Jericho represent the world who will see and tremble at Christ’s Christs ruling with the “great shout” of the rod of iron in the One Thousand-Year reign. The people will tremble, and their stubborn walls of self-righteousness will fall flat. Yet, they are not given to repent and appease Israel (the Christs) before they come to rule the world’s city within on the Seventh Day.

In fact, all the people of Jericho with the exception of Rahab and her family, who represent the Elect, the faithful city that too was a harlot, die, as does all flesh die at the end of the One Thousand-Year reign.

Eze 33:4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
Eze 33:5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
Eze 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

Mar 3:29 but whoever may speak evil in regard to the Holy Spirit hath not forgiveness—to the age, but is in danger of age-during judgment; (YLT)

Jos 6:6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark of Jehovah.
Jos 6:7 And he said to the people, Pass on, and go around the city. And let him who is armed pass on in front of the ark of Jehovah.
Jos 6:8 And it happened when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests bearing the seven rams’ horns passed on before Jehovah and blew the rams; horns. And the ark of the covenant of Jehovah followed them.
Jos 6:9 And the armed men went before the priests who blew with the rams’ horns. And the gathering [H622 – “rereward” gathering; company] army came after the ark, as the priests were going on and blowing with the rams’ horns.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

That understanding of Romans 8:31 is a foundational rock impacting everything we do in becoming as He is. Plain and simple, if Christ is for us, who can be against us? The vital element identifies the Ark, Christ, as the hidden-in-plain-sight weapon for the entire procession to march around Jericho.

Neither the Israelites nor we should be concerned about how our Lord will demonstrate His power over our enemies as we learn to not be timid when facing difficult trials.

Psa 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psa 75:10 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

A beast’s horns signify and identify the strength (H7161) of his power.

While most rams’ horns, as opposed to an ox’s, are not deadly in a fight, they still signify strength, and since the Priests are using the seven horns as instruments for sound, their sound announces the coming destruction of Babylon within, and beginning with the Lord’s Passover.

The order of the procession marching around Jericho is this:
Verse 7, first, armed Israelites go before all. Secondly, the seven priests bearing the seven ram’s horns; thirdly, the Ark of the Covenant of God, Verse 8, and bringing up the rear in fourth place is a representative of the whole (Number 4), or camp of Israel named as “rereward” (KJV) H622 – meaning, gathering; company.

For the Body of Christ’s spiritual understanding, we must be armed with all the vital tools of Christ to fight our enemy, having total trust in the Lord to win the battle. We most certainly pick up our spiritual sword of Christ by his word as we strike our enemies within and without anyone enquiring to receive that sword. As such, we all spiritually perish by His sword that ironically gives life.

Mat 26:51 And, behold, one [Peter] of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and he struck a servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
Mat 26:52 Then Jesus said to him, Put up your sword again into its place; for all who take the sword shall perish with a sword.
Mat 26:53 Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?
Mat 26:55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowds, Have you come out in order to take Me with swords and clubs, as against a thief? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not lay hands on Me.
Mat 26:56 But all this happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples fled, forsaking Him.

The Elect of God is those named “let him who is armed” pass on in front of the Ark of God. We know that many Christians claim the Lord’s name and are armed, yet, unwittingly, by a “different Jesus”.

Seven Priests who spiritually go before Israel (Babylonian Christianity within and without) blow the trumpet of war. That is precisely what the Body of Christ has been doing since His death on the cross to all who are given eyes that see and ears that hear those trumpets.

Next comes the armed people of Israel who “pass on” and encompass the city.

The spiritual order of the physical procession is this:
1. Since Christ’s death, the spiritually armed Christians who hold the word of God unrighteously have born the cross in the heat of the day.
2. The Seven Priests bearing the Seven Rams’ horns were originally part of the body of Israel but sanctified to primarily blow the horns within and not to their brethren; they represent Christ’s Church today. Their brothers and sisters in Babylonian Christianity do not hear neither can they receive their testimony.
3. Thirdly, the Christs bearing Christ, the Ark of the Covenant, are of Israel, but much later, and following Israel becoming a harlot, they come out of her to
remain as the Lord’s chosen few to be his Heavenly Jerusalem above, his Bride.
4. Following behind is harlot Christianity and the mighty mixed multitude of the entire world together in the Resurrection to Judgement, commonly known as the Second Resurrection.

One thing we always noticed in the WCG as we headed off into the night to do the traditions of men at Passover was the incredible sight of a beautiful full moon. Again, how ironic that Israel, who came out of Egypt on a full moon, is now destroying the little city-moon of Jericho. Israel is effectively destroying a part of the Whore (Moon) that Israel is to become since the Canaanites are within and were never entirely routed from her land.

Jos 6:10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.
Jos 6:11 So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
Jos 6:12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
Jos 6:13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
Jos 6:14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

Today for the Lord’s Church, his people, for the symbolic six days (correspondingly six thousand years for the world of humanity) armed with seven rams’ horns, blow their sound within as they work with the Ark of the Lord in their midst to kill their enemies within. During this time, the Lord’s little flock does not proselyte by raising their voice to instruct anyone other than those whom the Lord drags to his Body. His Church alone hears the sound of the ram’s horn within to avoid Satan’s devices.

The six days precede the Sabbath on the Seventh-day and herald the beginning of the Lord’s Feasts that outline the plan of God for the salvation of all mankind, as seen in the book of Leviticus 23.

The Lord’s people encompass their enemies within for six days while hearing their Lord’s warning horn reminding them that the battle is the Lord’s for the coming destruction of their enemies. Marching around the cities “once” daily is required once the enemy is identified, and then its battle is handed to the Lord.

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment,
Heb 9:28 so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. And to those who look for Him He shall appear the second time without sin to salvation.
Heb 10:1 For the Law which has a shadow of good things to come, not the very image of the things, appearing year by year with the same sacrifices, which they offer continually, they are never able to perfect those drawing near.
Heb 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because the worshipers, when they had been once for all purged, would have had no more conscience of sin.
Heb 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again of sins every year.
Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Once we have identified our sins, we aim not to repeat them with impunity. However, our Lord knows our frailty and that repeating them is exactly what we will do. Yet, we need a good conscience, with our entire hearts to die daily until the Lord destroys those tenacious sins, each day until the Seventh Day when we receive the fullness of our redemption in Christ. The process is to patiently possess Christ within us, knowing that our Lord will forgive seventy times seven the same sin as we forgive our brothers.

Pro 24:16 for a just one falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked shall fall into evil.

1Pe 3:15 but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope in you, with meekness and fear;
1Pe 3:16 having a good conscience, that while they speak against you as evildoers they may be shamed, those falsely accusing your good behavior in Christ.

The Elect of God alone get up early to prepare their household spiritual food. It is given to them to die daily, having marched around their cities once each day while remaining in the Babylonian Israel camp.

Joh 17:14 I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:15 I do not pray for You to take them out of the world, but for You to keep them from the evil.
Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth.
Joh 17:18 As You have sent Me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.
Joh 17:19 And I sanctify Myself for their sakes, so that they also might be sanctified in truth.

Jos 6:15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

It is on the Seventh Day, the Old Covenant’s Sabbath, that to us is Christ, that our work is completed in the meaning of the number seven ~ completion, especially for judgment. The Seventh Day represents His Elect, the Bride of Christ, marrying her Lord having had all her sins of the previous six days judged and forgiven.

Jer 29:10 For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.
Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. [The ages of the ages. The thousand years and the lake of fire/ second death]

Jos 6:16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
Jos 6:17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

The Israelites are having a lesson in faith and trust in God for their salvation by His strong hands while under the works of the law. That foundational physical lesson to be learned by the Israelites is for our spiritual understanding that is wonderfully easy when we learn to acknowledge our sins and trust in our Lord to do His marvellous life-changing works within.

Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Body of Christ shouts within and audibly with each other daily as we joyfully bear our Lord aloft by His word for the King He is. She was once Rabab, the harlot, and she and her household were saved ahead of her brethren.

Jer 31:6 For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
Jer 31:7 For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Each of us was hidden by our spiritual Rahab in Christ as we diligently searched the word of God daily, judging the Jericho moon within. Having found Jericho brazenly naked and a precursor to Babylon, we were protected and hidden by Rahab, a type of the Lord’s Church who, by His faith, makes for us a way of escape from the world (Revelation 18).

Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Be mindful of things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ our Life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry),
Col 3:6 on account of which things’ sake the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience,
Col 3:7 among whom you also once walked, when you lived in these.
Col 3:8 But now also put off all these things: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, shameful speech out of your mouth.
Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds
Col 3:10 and having put on the new, having been renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

Sadly, and for our benefit, Israel is only beginning to be the Lord’s first wife who became a harlot, out of whom came His Elect, the Bride. She becomes the final and glorious ‘Moon’ standing on the remnants of herself represented by Jericho. Jericho is the diminutive prototype of the coming massively larger ‘Moon’ of Babylon, the mother of harlots, the great prostitute.

Rev 12:1 And there appeared a great sign in the heavens, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head.

Rev 17:1 And one of the seven angels who had the seven vials came and talked with me, saying to me, Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot sitting on many waters,
Rev 17:2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and became drunk with the wine of her fornication, those inhabiting the earth.
Rev 17:3 And he carried me away into a desert by the Spirit. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored beast, filled with names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet. And she was gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.
Rev 17:5 And on her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

What an astonishing adventure the Lord has given His Elect, beginning with a small win over little Jericho as He gently ramps up our trials for a staggeringly beautiful end.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace,