The Jericho Prophecy

By

Shelby G. Floyd

April 9, 2006

Prophecy when it is uttered is no proof of the inspiration and divine origin of the Bible, but when it is fulfilled it is as good as a standing demonstration of a miracle. One such prophecy is the prediction of the curse placed on the rebuilding of Jericho. Joshua spoke this solemn oath from the Lord shortly after winning a stunning victory over this wicked city:

"Cursed before the LORD is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho:
"At the cost of his firstborn son
will he lay its foundations;
at the cost of his youngest
will he set up its gates."

(Joshua 6:26)

In this prophecy the man’s oldest son would die when he started to rebuild the wall and his youngest son would die when he finished it. Joshua made this startling prophecy in about 1451 B.C. About 533 years went by before this statement was fulfilled to the very letter.

In Ahab's time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken by Joshua son of Nun. (1 Kings 16:34).

Examples like this, and there are many of them, demonstrate that every word of the Bible is inspired. (2 Timothy 3:16).These prophetic statements were not privately unloosed from the speakers mind, but were spoken as they were motivated by the Holy Spirit. (1 Peter 1:20-21). Truly as Jesus said, “The scripture cannot be broken.” (John 10:35).