Hebrews 11:30Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Trumpet sounds can in no way destroy stone walls, even if someone were to blow the trumpet for a thousand years. But faith can do all things. Do you see how faith never follows the order or laws of nature, but accomplishes everything unexpectedly? So here also, everything was unexpected. Having said many times that one must believe in hopes for the future, the Apostle composed this whole discourse so as to make clear that, not only now but from of old, all miracles were accomplished and received through faith.

By faith: for when God commanded, Joshua and the people did not doubt and did not say, "What is this? Can trumpet sounds destroy stones and fortresses?" Rather, they believed that it would happen, and it happened (Josh. 6).

By faith the walls of Jericho fell after being encircled for seven days. Jericho was a very fortified city, and there was no possibility of taking it by force. There remained only one hope: God and His wondrous help. But this help is always given only to the believer. The Hebrews turned to their God with fervent prayer, and the Lord commanded them to go around the walls of Jericho for an entire week. For six days they were to go around once a day, and on the seventh, seven times, while blowing trumpets. The Hebrews did so. On the seventh day, after the seventh circuit, at the sound of the trumpets and the prayerful cry of the besieging Hebrews, the walls of Jericho fell. Clearly they fell not from the trumpet sounds, but from the faith of those who prayed, which drew to itself the almighty mercy of God.

By the faith of Joshua and the people, the walls of the city of Jericho fell. For in faith they went around it seven times, peacefully and without battle. At the sound of the voice of faith, its towers and fortifications were destroyed on the seventh day (Josh. 6:20).

Indeed, God commanded Joshua that seven priests, with seven trumpets and the sound of trumpets, should go around the city of Jericho. It was strongly fortified and seemed unconquerable. They were to go around it seven times in a day, and do this for seven days. Believing that by this means they would take the city, they fulfilled the command. Finally, during the seventh circuit on the seventh day, at the sounds of the trumpets, the walls fell of themselves, or rather, were overthrown by God's command (Josh. 6).

In this well-known historical event, what was the special trial of the Israelites, and how was their strong faith revealed? Behind the walls of Jericho sat strong and armed enemies, ready at any moment to fall upon the besiegers. Meanwhile, on the seventh day of the siege, the Israelites were commanded to go around the city seven times. Such rapid circling must certainly have brought the Israelites to the final degree of bodily exhaustion. Yet they submitted without contradiction to the command of their leader Joshua. Clearly they did not hope in the power of their weapons, but believed in God's miraculous help. Their faith was justified: at the sound of the sacred trumpets, the walls of the fortress of Jericho fell. "Trumpet sounds cannot destroy walls," St. Chrysostom observes on this matter, "even if someone should blow the trumpet for a thousand years. But faith can do all things."

Holy Michael, to whose protection this temple is entrusted! Leader of the heavenly hosts, who does not refuse to assist earthly hosts also, as You plainly guided the leader Joshua and taught him to destroy strong Jericho not by weapons, but by faith. For "by faith the walls of Jericho fell" (Heb 11:30). Receive also into Your protection this dwelling of those being prepared for the defense of the Fatherland. Stretch Your gracious wing over the minds and hearts of the children and their guides. Guard this new garden as a paradise of God, that the seeds of truth, goodness, and honor may be abundantly sown and grow in it. And let faith, victorious over the visible and invisible, not allow the enemy who attempts to sow tares.

The whole people of Israel also showed faith by following Moses into the sea, by going around the walls of Jericho for seven days, and by thus performing a deed which, to all appearances, could in no way have brought about their fall.