The shutting up of Jericho, with no traffic, no coming in or going out, signifies that the powers of darkness, the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenlies, were bound (Matt. 12:29; Eph. 6:12). See note Exo. 23:23^1a, par. 1.

God’s people did not need to do anything to destroy Jericho. They only needed to believe and trust in God, to listen to the instruction from the Captain of the army of Israel, and to exalt Christ by bearing the Ark. The bearing of the Ark here by the priests shows that in the spiritual warfare the first thing we should do is exalt Christ.

Here to remain silent until the command was given to shout means to carry out the matter in the Lord’s way without expressing any thought, opinion, or feeling.

The victory over Jericho in Israel’s first battle after crossing the Jordan was won not by Israel’s fighting but by their blowing the trumpets and shouting, signifying the testifying and proclaiming of God with Christ (the Ark) through faith in God’s word of instruction (vv. 2-5). These were the vital factors that enabled them to win the victory.

See note Josh. 2:1^1b, note Josh. 2:11¹ and note Josh. 2:18^1a.

This word was fulfilled with Hiel in 1 Kings 16:34.