Jericho, The City Of Palm Trees

by David Padfield

 

Jericho is the oldest fortified city in the world. From the lofty heights of Mount Nebo, Moses had a marvelous view of this ancient city. "Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the South, and the plain of the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar." (Deut. 34:1-3).

Jericho was also the home town of Rahab the harlot (Joshua 2:1). Rahab is later listed in the genealogies of both King David of Israel and of our Lord (Matt. 1:5). The Hebrew writer tells us how that "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace." (Heb. 11:30-31).

Our Lord's teaching concerning the Good Samaritan tells us about the man who "went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves" (Luke 10:30).

NOTE: Full color photographs of Jericho (suitable for PowerPoint presentations) are also available.