J e r i c h o
The physical, spiritual
and moral
aspects of a
biblical city in
two areas
We are all familiar with
Jericho where the walls came tumbling
down. After Jericho was destroyed by the Children of Israel, “Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, ‘Cursed be
the man before the LORD who rises up and
builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its
foundation with his first born, and with the youngest he shall set up its
gates.’ “ (Josh. 6: 26) During
the time of King Ahab’s reign, Hiel, a man from Bethel attempted to rebuild Jericho. When he laid the
foundation, Abiram his firstborn died, and when he
set up the gates his youngest son Segub died, just as
the LORD had said through the prophesy of Joshua the son of Nun (1 Kn.
16:34).
The reason why God had
forbidden the ancient city of Jericho to be rebuilt on the same foundation is because of the
heathen religion and culture of its people.
He does not want false religion to be revived. As you can see, God not only allowed a new Jericho to be built on another site but also made it prosperous.
Jericho is divided into
two areas
After the destruction of
the fortified city of Jericho the people returned to the area to build another city about
two miles east of the one that was destroyed.
Jericho later fell to the Babylonians, but was rebuilt when the
Jews were allowed to return from their exile. The city continued to be a resort
during the rule of the succeeding empires.
King Herod built his winter palace in Jericho and constructed an enormous aqueduct which carried
water from Ein Kelt.
In the foreground is the excavated remains of the ancient fortified city of Jericho
called Tell-es-Sultan that was destroyed by the Israelites described in Joshua 6.
In the background is the Jericho that was built later and remains until today.
Jericho is a key
location for many Old Testament stories, including: Elijah (2 Kgs 4.4-12), Elisha (2 Kgs 4.13-22), the capture of King Zedekiah by the
Babylonians (Jer 52.1-11), and the restoration of Jerusalem by people from Jericho (Neh 3.2).
The Road between Jerusalem
and Jericho
In the parable of the
Good Samaritan our Lord Jesus Christ commenced with, “A certain man went down
from Jerusalem to Jericho, . . .” (Lk. 10:30) Here we find two
cities of great contrast.
Jesus was describing the
man’s descent from a high
point to a low point. The elevation of Jerusalem is between 2,133 – 2,756 feet (650 - 840 meters) above sea level. The elevation of Jericho is 853 feet (260
meters) below sea level. Even at the
lowest point of Jerusalem there is still a difference of 2,986 feet (498
meters) in elevation between the two cities.
Jericho is the lowest city on the earth.
Map showing Jerusalem and Jericho. Comparative elevations of the two cities.
Mountain Road from Jerusalem to Jericho. The Valley of the Shadow of Death.
The route from Jerusalem to Jericho is a narrow and winding mountainous road that is still difficult and dangerous to travel. The "Valley of the Shadow of Death" is an actual location on this road that King David wrote: "I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (Psm.23:4).
From the religious view
point, Jerusalem is called “the holy city” (Mt.
4:5). Jericho is
“doomed by the LORD for destruction” (Josh. 6:17). The Lord’s parable indicates the man’s
spiritual level had dropped tremendously, from the state of holiness to the
state of sinfulness. The moral of this parable is that even when the man "fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead," and even when a priest and a Levite had both"passed by on the other side,"> yet there was a good Samaritan who would come to the rescue and showed love and kindness towards him (Lk. 10:29-37). No matter how awful or dreadful the situation may seem to be for those who are badly hurt and in great need, God will have some good Samaritans for them on the Jericho roads of this world.
Jericho is an Oasis
in the Desert
"He turns a wilderness into pools of water, and dry land into watersprings. There He makes the hungry dwell, that they may establlish a city for habitation." (Psm. 107:35-36)
Jericho benefited from natural irrigation afforded by the Jordan River which is
approximately four miles to the east, and from underground tributaries from the
Central Mountains which fed her famous oasis. This irrigation resulted in
teeming plant life and helped to transform Jericho into a city of greenery in an otherwise barren desert.
Jericho provides a place of rest, refreshment and also healing. At one time the Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples came to Jericho. There was a blind beggar named Bartimaeus who cried out to Jesus for mercy. "And Jesus answered and said to him, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' The blind man said to Him, 'Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go your way; your faith has made you well.' And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road." (Mk. 10:46-52)
The Bible describes
Jericho as a “city of palm trees” (2
Chr. 28:15). The palm tree not only produces dates but it also provides a sure sign there is water under its ground.
|
The
water in Jericho was healed by Elisha (2 Kn. 2:18-22).
This is Elisha’s Spring from which people drink the water.
|
Zacchaeus climbed
a sycamore tree to see Jesus (Lk. 19:1-10)
|
Despite
its low elevation and receiving an annual rainfall of only 145 mm (5.7 inches)
Jericho has a very good supply of fresh water that is fed from the
natural springs.
Jericho's natural
resources, beauty, and natural defenses caused it to become the ideal location
for trade, communication and other political activities. These attributes also made her the source of envy and a coveted
possession for invaders of ancient Canaan. Given the fact that Jericho has such a strategic position it had to establish and maintain a fortified city that is both attractive to friendly traders but intimidating and impregnable to enemies and invaders.
Click on the Button
The Ancient Fortified City of Jericho
