Why God required silence before the shout—and what it means for those waiting on a breakthrough.
Joshua 6:10 NKJV
Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.”
I’m not a talkative person by nature. I’m more quiet. Reserved. Contemplative.
That’s not to say I am silent. Sometimes there is a difference.
I can speak when it’s unnecessary.
I can say too much. Over explain.
I can reason my way to paralysis.
Even though I am quiet, my words can betray me.
When silence is required…
That’s why this story from the book of Joshua is so appropriate.
Some scholars believe Israel was commanded not to speak even when they returned to their camp.
At any point, their silence was required.
But why?
Why were the people instructed not to speak for the first six days.
I believe every instruction given by God is specific and intentional. He always has purpose behind his word.
I believe there’s silence was for several reasons.
Ominous
First, it produced an ominous scene.
A few commentators talk about how the people of Jericho probably mocked the Israelites as they marched around the city.
I think the opposite.
Numbers 26 gives us the breakdown by tribe of those 20 years and older who are able to go to war. The total number was 601,730 men.
Imagine over 600,000 men walking around the city of Jericho. Not speaking a word. No noise whatsoever.
The crunch of earth beneath their feet. Their feet stomping the ground.
Crunch, stomp, crunch, stomp, crunch stomp.
The sound of swords dangling by their side. Metal clinging against itself.
Close your eyes and hear it in your imagination.
Crunch, stomp, sch-ling. Crunch, stomp, sch-ling. Crunch, stomp, sch-ling.
No other sound. Just the eerie march of 600,000 men moving in cadence as they circle the city.
What an ominous scene. Almost creepy.
If I saw that I wouldn’t mock, laugh, or find it humorous. I would be terrified.
So, I think God’s instruction brought about a psychological form of warfare.
When God Speaks
Second, when God speaks, there is nothing left to be said.
We often feel the need to offer commentary to what God dictates. This is unnecessary. God’s word is final.
God was teaching Israel to trust. To see that His Word prevails. His methods, ways, and dictates rule.
Any commentary on their part was fodder. They could bring nothing substantial to the situation other then their obedience.
Their silence taught them to see God. To hear God. To contemplate, consider and think about their awesome God.
As they plodded along day after day, no human voice heard. Only the sound of their faithful feet marching to the order of God. They could hear the silence.
Psalm 46:10 instructs us to:
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
While this Psalm was written long after the walls of Jericho fell, I’m quite certain it was a truth that rang in their hearts as they marched around the city.
Elijah didn’t hear God in the wind, earthquake or fire. He heard him in the still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12)
There is something about silence that awakens the soul. It’s counter-intuitive. We love noise. Busy. Excitement.
But God values quietness. Silence. That’s when He often speaks.
Israel could hear because they weren’t speaking.
Canceled Faith
There is another reason I see for their silence. This had to do with their faith.
We tend to talk ourselves out of the promise, blessing, and way of God. When God speaks, our role is obey. Not argue, reason, or debate.
Yet…
This is what often happens. We hear (or read) a promise from God. Our minds question how, when, why, and what-if. Then our words give expression to our doubts, fear, and unbelief. Before long, we have canceled the promise by our own confession.
This is not some ‘name it-claim it’ psychobabble. Studies in neuroscience prove that our words can either propel us forward in confidence, or keep us stuck in the past.
The words we use (speak) create the images we use to define ‘our reality.’ In other words, words paint pictures (we think in images not letters). Those pictures define how we see ourselves and the world around us.
Studies at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences found that certain languages are better at connecting the right and left hemisphere’s of the brain. It appears that middle eastern languages do this best.
One reason (I suppose) is that Hebrew and Arabic languages are more image based. That’s just my opinion.
Regardless, words paint pictures and the pictures we hold in our minds drive our decisions, beliefs, and actions.
That’s why silence can be beneficial. It keeps us from negative self-talk. We often talk ourselves out of what God wants for us because we talk too much. Instead of listening more.
Israel was asked to trust God in this battle against Jericho. The lesson: don’t talk yourself out of trusting God.
Israel’s silence during this time helped them avoid complaining, arguing, and worrying about was happening.
Let’s be honest. Their track record wasn’t very good when it came to trusting God. They often complained and murmured. By staying silent, they avoided the pitfall of sinning with their mouth.
Not a bad lesson to learn for all of us.
Final Say
One more thought.
God’s Word – when God speaks – it is the final say.
The more we talk, rationalize, and verbalize, the greater the risk of missing what God is doing and saying.
I remember a teacher for grade school saying, ‘Silence is golden.’ That rule still stands.
We would do well to practice the art of listening and obeying in silence.
Follow me on Substack
