Today's lesson comes from Joshua 2: 1-15. Joshua selects two men as spies and sends them to the city of Jericho. This is a very dangerous mission because the inhabitants of Canaan have been warned about the Israelites. If God does not intervene, it is likely the spies will not return from their mission.
The Canaanite culture was a reflection of the gods they worshipped. The names of their gods included: Baal, Anat, and Asherah. They all typified the worst of human behavior. Their religious festivals were degraded celebrations of the "animal side" of human nature. This was the society of Rahab. Yet, God had touched her heart, and there was born a longing to know Him and a better way of life.
he first section is: "The Spies Sent." (vv. 1,2) Joshua had received God's promise of success, but that did not preclude his human effort. In theology, we study things like the Sovereignty of God and human responsibility. By Sovereignty of God, we mean that God is in control of everything that has happened, is happening and will happen. There is nothing outside the control of the purposes of God. If there was, that person or power would be more powerful than God. By human responsibility we mean that even though God is going to do what He wants to do, He works through secondary causes. Secondary causes can be you and me. Secondary causes are sometimes the means through which God exercises His Sovereignty. In this case, Joshua had the promises, but set in the spies to determine how his army would attack Jericho.
Some believe that Rahab was a harlot. Others, believe she was a simple innkeeper. Nevertheless, God sovereignly sent the spies to her for protection. God sends the spies to a woman that is hungry to know the true and living God.
The summary points of this section are:
1. Having God's promises does not mean that you have no need to prepare and plan.
2. A wise leader will encourage his people and keep them from becoming disheartened.
3. God uses all types of people to further His purposes.
The second section is: "The Spies Concealed." (vv. 3-7) The king of Jericho receives word that the two Israelite spies had entered the city. Further, he learned that they had gone to Rahab's house. The king sends soldiers, and they command Rahab to, "bring forth the men that are come to thee." Rahab is now at a crossroads. What does she do? She lies! She hides the spies and sends the soldiers off in another direction. Did God approve of her lying? As Christians we have a tendency to want things black and white. Jews don't have the same approach. In fact, under Jewish law, the following are times it is actually commanded to lie:
1. To preserve peace and give comfort to another.
2. To avoid hurting another person if the truth was told.
3. To not appear arrogant.
4. For the sake of decency.
5. To protect your property.
Under these guidelines, Rahab did nothing wrong in lying to the soldiers. Sometimes we forget that the Bible is a Jewish book and there is a culture that must be examined and understood to gain a proper knowledge of the Word of God.
The summary points of this section are:
1. Sometimes it is acceptable to lie.
2. What you believe you will do.
3. We should always seek to preserve life.
Th third section is: "The Spies Informed." (vv. 8-11) After the soldiers left, Rahab went to the roof and told the Israelite men the following:
1. She knew that the LORD had given them the land.
2. That the Canaanite people were afraid of them.
The Canaanite people had heard the report how God had dried up the Red Sea forty years earlier. Then the news was learned that the Israelites had completely defeated the Amorite kings. The courage of the Canaanite people was gone. Rahab stated the following in verse 11: "The LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in the earth beneath." The spies were informed. They had learned all they needed to know.
The summary points of this section are:
1. God in His Sovereignty can direct the hearts of even unbelievers.
2. When we are faithful to God, He can bring fear to our opposition.
3. God is Sovereign over heaven and earth.
The fourth section is: "The Spies Promise." (vv. 12-15) Rahab had shown "kindness" to the spies by saving their lives. She now asked for "kindness" in return. The Hebrew word for "kindness" is "hesed." This word refers to God's unwavering commitment to steadfast love. Even if one party breaks the promise, God will remain faithful. Hesed is not what you might do, it is all about what you are going to do. Hesed is about action. There is covenant language between Rahab and the spies. The men replied, "Our life for yours." They made a promise, "When the LORD hath given us the land, we will deal kindly with thee." In these verses, specific instruction is given to Rahab, i.e. tying a scarlet cord in the window of her house. Some believe that the scarlet cord was symbolic of the blood of Jesus Christ. The point is that those who were destined for destruction found salvation through the faithfulness of the spies motivated by hesed.
Rahab was a heathen woman who longed to know the God of the Israelites. God, in His Sovereignty, sent two spies to her that ultimately led to her entire family being saved from destruction. Rahab had her name placed in the heroes of faith in the book of Hebrews as well as in the lineage of Christ. Rahab is a marvelous story of God's faithfulness and His Sovereignty.
The summary points of this section are:
1. God is faithful to fulfill all His promises.
2. God can satisfy every hungry heart.
3. God will keep His promises even if men will not.
The Golden Text is: "Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land." (Joshua 2: 24) The spies returned with an encouraging report. There was no mention of the difficulties they faced. The spies were careful to acknowledge that it was the Lord who had delivered the land into the hands of the Israelites. Victory would be theirs because of the power of God. God's promises to us today are just as sure as His promises to the children of Israel.
Next week: "Crossing the Jordan." (Joshua 3: 5-17)
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