Most Bible students know the story of Joshua and the destruction of the city of Jericho. I remember learning a spiritual that had these words: "Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls came tumbling down". You can read the account in the Book of Joshua chapter six.
Easily overlooked in this dramatic account is the fact that Joshua pronounced an oath. He delivered a curse. Here it is: "Cursed before the Lord is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho; at the cost of his first-born son will he lay it's foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up it's gates.". So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land. Joshua 6:26-27.
End of story? Not hardly. The years rolled by until the man Ahab was King of Israel. How did Ahab rate on God's chart of judging kings? The Bible simply says: "Ahab, son of Omri did more evil in the sight of the Lord than any of those before him.". Ahab would serve and worship Baal. He would marry the wicked Jezebel. That name still describes certain women in our society. I believe it was Frankie Laine who sang: "Jezebel! If ever the Devil was born without a set of horns it was you, Jezebel." So the worst of the worst teamed up and they provoked a loving God to anger.
With the societal and religious change, along came a builder named Hiel. He hailed from Bethel, less than fifteen miles from the destroyed remains of Jericho. Surely he had heard of the curse on the one who would rebuild this city that God laid low. But he didn't care. He committed to build the city. He laid the foundations at the cost of his oldest son, Abiram. We don't really know what happened, but lots of things can happen in building.Then, as Hiel set up the gates of the walls, his youngest son, Segub, was killed. I Kings 16:34 sums it up clearly with these words: "in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken by Joshua, son of Nun."
Was this building project worth it to Hiel? I hardly think so. However, he ignored a prophesy that he must have rationalized was out of warranty. It was a new day, and new leaders, and Baal was now god. The city was rebuilt. Jericho is there today. The curse, however, was carried out just as Joshua proclaimed.
YOU add the moral to this event. We all know of sad examples of parents who sacrificed their children for fame or fortune. Even with warning flags waving. Careful.
