Joshua 6 describes the destruction of Jericho. No human work was involved. The people were even expressly instructed to remain silent. As Moses had once said to the people: “YAHWEH will fight for you, and you will be silent” (Ex.14:14). The well-known story is that the people walked around Jericho once for six days and seven times on the seventh day. But does this history also have a deeper meaning?
image of this world
The city of Jericho is located nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) below sea level in an area that is the deepest point on Earth. This makes it an image of this world, the old creation. It has “sunk deeply” and will be exchanged for a new creation. Jericho is built on the Firstborn (1 Kings 16:34). A representation of Christ, the only begotten Son (John 3:16) in whom all things were created:
Colossians 1
16 For in Him all things were created…
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18 …He who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that He might have the preeminence in all things.
the ark
Paul says in 1 Cor. 10:6 and 11 that these things happened to Israel as examples (>types) for us. We read in Josh.6:10 that Israel would silently follow the ark. The ark is a type of Christ. The ark was made of wood overlaid with gold, an image of death and resurrection. This ark was the center of the tabernacle and stood in the most holy place: the inner sanctuary. A picture of heaven (Heb.9:24).
Would we fight against this world, the evil in this world, or sin in general? No, we would be silent and follow Him. The only thing heard in the history of Joshua 6 is the blowing of the trumpets (>shofar). That is a representation of God speaking. We would hear His word, be silent and not fight against this world.
the seventh day
This world and the evil in it will come to an end of its own accord. After six days of a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8) the seventh day will come. On the seventh day they walked around the city seven times (Josh.6:15). Seven is the number of perfection, of completion. In the seventh day which is very near, the day of the Lord, God will complete His plan with this old creation. There will be a new creation and only that which was by faith will remain (Josh.6:25; Heb.11:31).
2 Peter 3
10 Now the day of the Lord will be arriving as a thief, in which the heavens shall be passing by with a booming noise. But the elements that are destroyed by heat will be dissolved, and the earth and the works in it will be burned up
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13 But according to his promise we look for a new heavens and earth, wherein dwells righteousness.