Jericho

The Old Testament miracle concerning Jericho occurred in Joshua 6:20 (the shouting down of Jericho's walls) and purifying the water in 2 Kings 2:18-22. Here in the New testament we have another miracle at Jericho and this time it is a blind mind that receives his sight. The common theme between the old and new testament at Jericho, is the passion of the person/s wanting the victory, the conviction, the obedience and the complete faith in God to do the impossible. Bringing down the fortified walls of Jericho, purifying the water with salt, and restoring the sight of a blind man reminds me of Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

What is your Jericho today? Are you living in spiritual blindness?

In Proverbs 3:5-6 says: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Joshua 6 The Fall of Jericho

God had the Israelites march around the city once for six days with the Ark of the Lord’s covenant with the priests blowing their ram horns, then seven times on the seventh day. The seventh time around, as the priests sounded the long blast on their horns, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the town! Jericho and everything in it must be completely destroyed as an offering to the Lord."

2 Kings 2:18-22 Elisha’s First Miracles

18 Elisha was still at Jericho when they returned. “Didn’t I tell you not to go?” he asked. 19 One day the leaders of the town of Jericho visited Elisha. “We have a problem, my lord,” they told him. “This town is located in pleasant surroundings, as you can see. But the water is bad, and the land is unproductive.”20 Elisha said, “Bring me a new bowl with salt in it.” So, they brought it to him. 21 Then he went out to the spring that supplied the town with water and threw the salt into it. And he said, “This is what the Lord says: I have purified this water. It will no longer cause death or infertility.” 22 And the water has remained pure ever since, just as Elisha said.

Mark 10:46 Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.

Jesus healing a blind man comes directly after Jesus accuses the disciples of spiritual blindness (Mark 8:14–26 the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000) and James and John's spiritually blind request for positions of power in the kingdom of God. Apart from this miracle the emphasis is on our spiritual blindness. Here was a man that was literally blind, but he responds to God with faith. He believed that God will heal him and discards his coat, symbolising the leaving behind of his possessions. He calls Jesus the 'Son of David' thereby acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah.

Overall, to summarise the miracles at Jericho:

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight!

Put your trust and faith (without doubt) in God!