Word of the Day:
“You shall not shout or make your voice heard neither shall any word go out of your mouth until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.” Joshua 6:10
In Exodus chapter 14 Moses is leading the Israelites out of Egypt, they’ve come to the impassable Red Sea and the entire Egyptian army is quickly pressing in on them. Fear drives the Israelites to panic and complain against Moses and the LORD. To which Moses responds “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14)
In Joshua chapter 6 we find the story of the fall of Jericho wall. As I was reading this passage I noticed something interesting. In verse 10 of chapter 6 it points out that Joshua commanded the people “You shall not shout or make your voice heard neither shall any word go out of your mouth until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.” I find it curious that in both Exodus and Joshua the people of God are called to silence. Could it be perhaps that in our fear we tend to speak things we shouldn’t?
James tells us that our words are like two-edged swords, powerful and potentially dangerous. Could it be that when we are in situations that frighten us the last thing we should do is open our mouths? I just can’t help but think of the first Ghostbusters movie at the moment. Do you remember the part at the end where anything they think of will come to life and kill them, and one of them accidentally thinks of the Stay Puft marshmallow man and he comes to life in giant form! Perhaps this is precisely why God tells us to stay silent when we’re afraid, because if we speak it could bring to life our greatest fear. However, if we remain silent perhaps that very fear will die unborn because it was left unspoken.
I can only imagine the comments those Hebrew troops would have made as they were circling the city if they had been allowed to talk, do you think the wall still would have fallen down if it had been covered in comments of doubt for seven days? I don’t think it would have. But God is wise, and He advised them through Joshua and Moses to just keep their mouths shut… and WATCH what GOD can do for them. He commanded them to be still and know that HE is God, then He parted the Red Sea and they walked on DRY ground. They kept their silence and the strongest walled city in all the land fell at their feet like dust because they did it God’s way and not their own. Do not let doubt or fear keep you from your salvation or your promised land, rather “be still and know that HE is God”. (Psalm 46:10)
Tamar Knochel 
Wow, that is very insightful! Over and over again the Bible warns us to “be to slow to speak” and to watch what we say. The more I learn about this subject, the more I find out that there is really great power in the things we say.
I cannot comment as to why. I must follow the scriptures you listed. I will say that today I read this and today was God’s perfect timing for me. I will shout when the wall comes down and when the path is wide open.
Wooooohooooooo!!!!!!!!!!
Actually, judging by these stories, you’ll shout and then the wall will fall because you shouted. 😉
Isn’t it so cool how I talked to you about this very post and it we both knew it to be true and on the day that you get to actually READ it, it becomes completely applicable! I LOVE HIS TIMING!!!!!
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