The walls of Jericho falling is something we learned at a young age. Most remember that the people of Jericho shut themselves within their walled city (Josh. 6:1). The Israelites recognized they would not be able to break through those walls by force and they faced a test of their faith in God. God provided the instructions to the people and the Israelites followed exactly what God told them to do (Josh. 6:2-20). Like Noah, the Israelites that destroyed Jericho teach the vital lesson of following God’s instructions fully (Gen. 6:22). As much as we need the basic lessons, we also need to challenge ourselves and study events deeper than just the surface. In this article we will examine some information I recently studied that caused me to appreciate the walls of Jericho even more.

            Depending on the date one subscribes to when Joshua lived, I hold to somewhere around 1300 B.C. or thereabouts, what should amaze you is that walled cities were already being constructed this early in history. Maybe you had not noticed in your personal study of the Old Testament, but Jericho is the first mention of a city with walls. There is no mention of a wall in Egypt, not in the Sinai Peninsula, not anywhere before this account. It is strange that Jericho’s walls are mentioned and to the best of my knowledge, not another walled city is mentioned during the conquering of Canaan. Archaeologists and scientists were baffled at this for centuries. In their minds, nations were not being established at this age and groups of people most certainly would have still been hunter-gathers. When archaeologists found Jericho, this is what they discovered, “At Jericho… was an eight-acre town, housing 2000 or 3000 people, who made their living by cultivating the fertile zone of the surrounding oasis” (John Keegan, A History of Warfare, 124). Keegan continued to describe Jericho’s walls as, “surrounded by a continuous wall ten feet thick at the base, thirteen feet high and some 700 yards in circumference” (Keegan 124). The cities of Jericho and Catal Huyuk in Turkey are the oldest walled cities discovered to date. The difference between these two cities is that Catal Huyuk’s walls were made out of mud, while Jericho’s were built with stone. That being said, it is likely that the walls of Jericho that God brought down during the time of Joshua were the first walls made by man and they certainly were the strongest walls built during the time.

            If you are imagining a border-crossing wall just thrown together in haste, think again. The walls of Jericho included a curtain wall, a keep, and a moat. This wall was not a deterrent built to scare bandits away; the walls of Jericho were a true fortified stronghold that would be able to stand against large armies (Keegan 124). We must remember, siege engines were not invented yet. The only physical way someone could conquer Jericho was by forcing them inside their city for months until resources were depleted. It is safe to say that Jericho was impenetrable in a physical sense.

            The stronghold fortress that archeologists dated as being built as early as 7000 BC (Must be careful with dating, do not take this date literal. I provide this so you know it is the same wall the Israelites faced), was brought down by God and it fell flat (Josh. 6:20). The power of God is clearly seen in His bringing down these walls without the use of destructive force. God did not need to rain down fire and brimstone as He did against Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24). He is Lord over all things, man’s constructions are nothing in His sight. Just as God did at the tower of Babel, the Lord was able to thwart the walls of Jericho in a creative way (Gen. 11:1-9). These impenetrable walls simply fell over at the Lord’s command. The power of the Lord struck terror in Jericho and the land of Canaan (Josh. 2:9); that same power should also strike terror in those who do not obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Thess. 1:5-10).

-Brandon Foresha

Pilate was responsible for the death of certain Galileans (Lk. 13:1). The Jews to whom Jesus ministered were obviously upset that a Roman officer would allow his soldiers to shed the blood of Jewish Galileans who were worshiping God in offering sacrifices. How could God allow this? When Jesus was told this, He answered, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Lk. 13:2-3). We tend to think the circumstances we find ourselves in are directly linked to our standing before God. If something bad happens to us, it is natural to question if we have done something wrong. Some people get angry at God, because they expect everything to go right for them if they are trying to serve Him. Jesus dispels this notion. Suffering is not always directly related to sin. However, when suffering occurs, we should take stock of our lives and repent, if need be, rather than getting angry at God or drifting away from Him.

On the flip side, we should not allow good things we enjoy in life to lead us away from God either. Romans 2:4 says that the goodness of God leads us to repentance. Thus, we should be ready to repent when bad things happen and when good things happen. How can we have the proper attitude to repent in both circumstances?

We must first remember what we deserve. The reason many don’t grasp repentance today is because they think God owes them a pleasant life with no suffering. But in reality, what God owes us is far different than this popular myth. We have all sinned (Rom. 3:23). The just payment for our sins is death (Rom. 6:23). We cannot of our own efforts redeem ourselves from this death sentence (Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:7-9; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). If we sacrificed all we have to God, it would not atone for our sins (Heb. 9:12). The only accountable person who was completely innocent was Jesus, the one who was crucified by Roman soldiers by the command of Pilate, at the request of the Jews, outside the gates of the city where animal sacrifices were continually made to God (Lk. 23:13-48). Because of obstinate hearts that called for the murder of God’s holy Son, blood would flow in the streets of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Lk. 13:34; 21:20-24). But really all of us deserve to have our blood mingled with our sacrifices to God. My sins put Jesus on that cross (Isa. 53:5; 1 Pet. 2:24).

Secondly, we must also see that God is committed to redeeming us. Just after this in Luke 13, Jesus presents the parable of the fruitless fig tree that deserves to be hewn; however, the keeper of the vineyard is committed to giving the tree another chance to bear fruit before it is cut down (Lk. 13:6-9). It is not enough to beat ourselves up over our sins that run afoul of God’s holiness. We must also see God’s love for us. We must consider God’s goodness as well as His severity (Rom. 11:22). In Luke 15:22-24, God is represented as a father who, instead of relegating his prodigal son to the status of a servant, throws a merry feast and adorns him with fine attire fit for a beloved son. God’s commitment to blessing us by saving us from what we deserve is the source of Christian joy and the motivation for all true repentance.

This is how we are able to repent in good times and bad. When bad times come, we remember we deserve far worse. When good comes our way, we don’t say, “It’s about time!” No, we remember we don’t deserve any of the good things God has placed in our lives. Whatever your circumstances, good or bad, contrast what you deserve with what you receive and be ready to repent.

-Mark Day

A person once said, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” One today reading those words would think that the reference was made regarding 2020 and not referring to America’s struggle for independence from England written in 1776. Indeed, it is trying times we are living in. Living in a time of Coronavirus, riots, stock market fluctuations, employment uncertainty or for some unemployment, etc., our Presidential election is currently underway due to Coronavirus and “Election Day” will be this Tuesday. In regard to the U.S. President, “there can be only one.” That means there will be some disappointed and others jubilant of the results when (or whenever) the winner is determined. As New Testament Christians we should be concerned with who our government leaders are. However, as New Testament Christians when facing the things previously mentioned or facing the “normal” trials of life (whatever that means now), we must remember God is on His Throne, He is in control, and He is still God.

We must remember God is on His Throne in Times of Joy. Exodus Chapter 14 records the Israelites crossing the Red Sea after leaving Egyptian bondage. The Red Sea was divided by the Lord allowing Israel to cross. Pharaoh’s soldiers pursued after Israel but were drown in the sea after the Lord “overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea” Exodus 14:27. Exodus Chapter 15 is the Song of Moses after the Lord and Israel’s victory. As expressed in verse 18 of that chapter “The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.” A time of victory, a time of celebration, a time of joy, and God is on His throne. We must remember that during times of joy and celebration, God is on His throne.

We must remember God is on His Throne in Times of Trouble. Psalm 10 expresses the writer’s great distress due to the wickedness of people that resulted in bringing much sorrow and misery to the poor and oppressed of the land. As the psalmist wonders why God does not intervene in the situation, he expresses the truth “The Lord is King for ever and ever,” 10:16. Jehovah is not an earthly king, He is an eternal King. Being deity God will live forever and He is on His throne just as long as He lives, forever and ever. When we see the sorrow, misery, and sadness brought to others by wicked, godless people, we must remember that God is on His throne. He is ruling now and throughout eternity.

We must remember God is on His Throne in Times of Trials and Persecution. The book of Revelation is a wonderful book worthy of our diligent study and application of those things we read and study in this book. (cf. 1:3) The book of Revelation was written to those who were suffering persecution in the first century. Revelation 4:1-2 we read, “…I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” Chapter 4:8 we learn that the one sitting on the throne is God. God is letting His children know that He is not only concerned about the wellbeing of His children, but He is a God who is in control. His throne is “set” in the heavens, suggesting stability and determination. Christians from Pentecost day have suffered persecution in one form or another (2 Timothy 3:12). We must remember that in the days or years ahead, should persecutions increase against God’s children, God is on His throne and He in control.

Because of the reign of God, we must obey Him, we must live for Him, and we must prepare for eternity, because some day we will stand before the King of Kings in judgment.

 -Jerry D. Sturgill

Revelation 17:14, “Hallelujah: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigneth.” (ASV)

            Last month we discussed the archaeological evidence present on the islands of Cyprus and Crete that point to Phoenician colonization and trade. This article will examine the farthest reaches of the Mediterranean world and show that Phoenicians were settling and trading in areas as far away as North Africa, Sardinia, and Spain. The city-states that made up the Phoenicians were vital to trade in the ancient world, notice the many nations God mentioned that were trade partners with them (Ez. 27:3-25). This was not a small trade network, but a vast and intricate web that spun throughout the Mediterranean.

            One of the most famous Phoenician colonies was Carthage. Tyrian colonists settled Carthage around 800 B.C., but the Phoenicians may have been traveling to this region earlier, due to cattle bones found that predate the founding of the city. The similarities between the Phoenicians and Carthaginians are overwhelming. Both the Phoenicians and Carthaginians worshipped Baal and the other Canaanite deities (1 Kgs. 16:31). The most extraordinary connection is that archaeology has unearthed strange religious structures that many believe to be Tophets, which were altars used to sacrifice children. The Bible describes these objects, but none have been found in Palestine (2 Kgs. 23:10; Jer. 7:31). The Tophets at Carthage housed several pots that contained the burnt bones of different children. After the Phoenician city-states fell to Nebuchadnezzar, Carthage became its own entity. It stood as a world power until the Romans destroyed Carthage after the Punic Wars.

             Sardinia is a large island to the West of Italy. On this island an artifact was unearthed called the Nora Stone. This stone is an ancient stele dated to the 9^th-8^th century B.C. and is the oldest Phoenician inscription found on Sardinia. The dating is accurate because the style and letters used is similar to other stele’s found in Palestine that date to this period. The message of the stele is still unknown, but the majority of the text has been deciphered. The two leading theories for its purpose is that it was a memorial to a Phoenician conquest or commemoration for a temple to a Phoenician god. What is bizarre with this stone is that within its text it mentioned Tarshish, which the Bible mentions several times as well (Ez. 27:12, 25; Jon. 1:1-3). In fact, Solomon sent ships to Tarshish with Hiram king of Tyre every 3 years to trade (2 Chr. 9:21). When God destroyed Tyre and Sidon, Tarshish would lament because it had gained much wealth from Phoenician trade (Is. 23). Was Sardinia close to the Biblical Tarshish?

West of Sardinia is southern Spain and archaeologists have discovered that the Phoenicians were in fact trading here as early as the 9^th century B.C. Phoenician colonies were set up near the Straits of Gibraltar, Ibiza, and other locations and were like factories used to work and store minerals exploited from the region. Not only did the Phoenicians inhabit this area, but they also traded with the indigenous people. Sites such as Sant-Jaume and Aldovesta are testaments to how Phoenician trade shaped Spanish culture. A 36-piece tableware set used for feasting was found at Sant-Jaume. The majority of the cups and vessels in this set were Phoenician in origin, signifying that the locals quickly incorporated Phoenician goods into their own. Also, evidence of a Middle-East practice of spicing wine with honey has been found, which was not present in Spain until Phoenician trade was established. The question that has baffled scholars for decades is did the Phoenicians go farther than Spain? Philip Beale, a British naval adventurer, recently built and sailed a replica Phoenician ship from Tunisia (Carthage) to the Dominican Republic. What this expedition proved is that the ancient Phoenicians could travel across the open seas and may have been the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

-Brandon Foresha