“Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho. Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, and the walls came tumbling down!” Many children are familiar with these lyrics from Sunday School classes. Many adults, though, are puzzled. Archaeologists continue to wrestle over the possible date for the battle of Jericho. The idea of a “holy war” smacks of radical Islam and of stereotypical views of an angry God.

What does the biblical context tell us? As Moses had been commissioned by the Lord to confront Pharaoh (Exodus 3:5), so Joshua had been commissioned to undertake the Lord’s battles for Canaan (Joshua 5:15). God promised the land to Abram (Genesis 12:7). Ultimately, this was God’s battle. 

“Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites” (Joshua 6:1a). Jericho had refused to hear the message of the Israelites, the facts of the Exodus, the Red Sea, and their military conquests. “No one went out and no one came in” (v.1b). The LORD had said to Joshua, “See I have delivered Jericho into your hands” (v.2). The victory had already been won. Israel’s God had already given Jericho and its people into Joshua’s hands. All that remained was for Joshua to claim that victory. The walls were the last remaining obstacle. Jericho would then become a symbol of the sovereign power of Israel’s God to all who had the eyes to see it.

Beijing is the capital city of the People’s Republic of China. It is the center of China’s political, military, and economic power. With over 21 million residents, 91 universities, and the second busiest airport in the world, Beijing is a global megacity. And it has an ideological focus that is not simply consumerism or materialism, but one that promotes President Xi-Jing Ping. At some level, Beijing appears impenetrable to the Gospel. Yet, there are no walls too big for God. There is no firewall too strong for Him. God has his saints inside the city (Acts 18:10). God has his plans for that great city (Jeremiah 29:7). He is as sovereign over Beijing as He was over Jericho, as He is over every city. What may look like an impressive and intimidating megacity to men and women like us, is not so with God. There are no obstacles for Him!