Joshua 6:18 And you, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest you make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 487] Jericho was one of the principal seats of idol worship, being especially devoted to Ashtaroth, the goddess of the moon. Here was centered all that was vilest, and the most degrading in the religion of the Canaanites. [Patriarchs & Prophets pp 127] In the groves were set up the altars of false gods, and human sacrifices were offered upon the neighboring heights….. It is worthy of note that it was not any supernatural spell that was cast over the city, that caused it to be accursed.
It was the deliberate practice of idolatry in its darkest hues, that caused the classification to be stated by the God of heaven. Thus, a warning was issued to the children of Israel that they should not appropriate to themselves, any of the accursed things for by doing so they would be guilty by association. At the command of God, they were to go there, and do exactly, and only what God had told them to, but they are not to bring home to themselves anything which belonged to Jericho, because it was accursed.
If for any reason, someone was to take the accursed things to themselves, not only would they become accursed, but there will also be naturally occurring collateral damage to persons who had nothing to do with the violations, since God’s protection would be removed, leading to signal failure and defeat. This is why it was stated earlier, that very careful consideration must be given to the subject matter.
Joshua 6:19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!