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Shofar - the biblical trumpet
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‘Joshua fit de battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit de battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumblin’ down’
It’s a catchy tune about a familiar story - a populace on the march supported by a surge of trumpet blasts and committed to a mission to bring down the imposing walls of the city of Jericho. The events are emblematic of the Battle of Jericho, the first in the eventual conquest of the Promised Land. The song is certainly captivating and the story, as told in the Book of Joshua, is well known. Trouble is, archeologists subsequently excavating in Tell es-Sultan, i.e., biblical Jericho, approach unanimity in concluding the events as described never happened! But hasn’t history taught us that assemblies of men and women united in their determination are indeed capable of causing impenetrable walls of all stripes to come tumbling down? Not sure? Think Berlin Wall. Think breaching of walls to pass the Civil Rights and the Voting Rights Acts. Think millions voting with their feet during the March on Washington, Mother’s Day Marches, and Selma to Montgomery.
