Jericho As A Type

In the post of March 11, 2009, it was shown how the pattern for the plan of salvation was built into the exodus of the children of Israel out of Egypt.  Crossing the Jordan River (a type of going through the veil) into the promised land/Celestial Kingdom brought them into their land of inheritance.  The first city that they are to take on the west side of the Jordan River can be seen as a type of a wicked and fallen world being replaced by those who have followed God's laws and commandments until they are allowed to inherit their land of promise.

Nephi tells us that the people of Canaan had been forewarned and had "rejected every word of God."

1 Ne  17:35-40
 35 Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God. But behold, this people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fulness of the wrath of God was upon them; and the Lord did curse the land against them, and bless it unto our fathers; yea, he did curse it against them unto their destruction, and he did bless it unto our fathers unto their obtaining power over it.
 36 Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.
 37 And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked.
 38 And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes.
 39 He ruleth high in the heavens, for it is his throne, and this earth is his footstool.
 40 And he loveth those who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers, and he covenanted with them, yea, even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he remembered the covenants which he had made; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt.

The process by which Jericho was taken can be seen as a type for the righteous inheriting the earth as it becomes the Celestial Kingdom.  Israel followed the Ark of the Covenant around the city one circuit each day for seven days.  They were to be absolutely quiet and not utter one word as they made each round.  Then, on the seventh day they made seven rounds and on the seventh they were to yell and holler.  The wall came down and they were able to take the city and to destroy all that inhabited the city by fire.  This may be seen as a type for what happens at the end of the Millennium (seven days or seven thousand years)  when the earth is cleansed once again by fire and then dies and becomes a Celestial Kingdom to be inhabited by those who have followed God's laws (D&C 88:25-26).

Achan used terrible judgment when he took, contrary to God's instructions, gold, silver, and a garment for himself and hid them thinking no one would know.  Here a hard lesson was learn about oneness as taught by the Lord in the Doctrine and Covenants "be one, and if ye are not one ye are not mine" (D&C 38:27).  As a result of Achan's deed, Israel lost their next battle as they attempted to take the small town of Ai.  Therefore, Achan had to be sought out and destroyed.  His bad example of theft implied that one can be personally enriched by a wicked and fallen world and then take it with you into the Celestial Kingdom.  He also destroyed the oneness needed for Israel to be blessed in following the directions of their God.  The Lord could not allow him to do that.