Steven A. Bush - November 5, 2023
The Jericho Curse and Worse
While Jericho's ruins were still smoldering, Joshua delivered a chilling prophetic utterance. Joshua 6:26 says: "Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, 'Cursed before the LORD be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates.'” (ESV) 500+ years later a guy named Hiel learns that Joshua's words had teeth. In the time of evil King Ahab, 1 Kings 16:34 records the following: "In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun." (ESV) When the plumbline of God's Law is dropped beside any of us, it reveals we are all lawbreakers. And all those who break God's law are under a curse, the curse of the law leading to judgment and eternal death. But Galatians 3:13 brings Better News: "...The Anointed One, the Liberating King, has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. It was stated in the Scriptures, 'Everyone who hangs on a tree is cursed by God.'” (VOICE) The lawbreakers' sin was imparted to the Law-Keeper, Jesus. In turn, the perfect record of the Law-Keeper was imputed to the lawbreakers--us! Christ Jesus became a curse to vanquish the curse! And we are granted life forevermore with Him! All glory to His Name!
Scripture References: Joshua 6:24-27, Matthew 10:28, 1 Kings 16:29-34, Deuteronomy 27:26, James 2:10-11, Galatians 3:10-13, Revelation 22:1-5