Joshua 2:1-24 and Luke 17:1-18:43

[Jimmie]

JOSHUA 2:1-24

The other “Spy Story” involves “two” spies. Yehoshua (Joshua) sends them out to spy out “Jericho” They arrive at the house of “Rahab” a prostitute, she hides them and expresses her faith in the “unseen God of the Hebrews” From verses 9 to 13 we read of her faith.

She hid the spies because the king of Jericho somehow found out that they had come to her. She risked her own life and the life of her family by hiding them on the roof.

“Our lives for yours” were the words of the spies when they left through the window by a rope. (vs 14) but faith needs action, (faith without works is dead) to show her faith, she needed to tie a scarlet cord in the window, so that when the Israelite army came, Rahab and her family would be saved.

This reminds us of Passover, that when the angel of death saw the “red” (blood) on the doorposts, the angel would “pass over” all who were in the house. In the case of Rahab and her family, they were saved from destruction, by obeying the mandate to;

“Bind this line of scarlet cord in the window…” (2:18).

Read chapter 6:25. Rahab and her family were taken from Jericho to the Israelite camp, just like the Israelites were taken from Egypt to (eventually) the promised land. Rahab received a new start and got exposed to a "new God" the ONLY God. She is part of the line that led to our Messiah Yeshua.

In our case, Yeshua is saying “My life for yours” What do we have to do? “Just believe and accept his one-time-only sacrifice” for all of our sins, past, present, and future. And we pass from the “camp” of sin to the “camp” of Adonai.

LUKE 17:1-18:43

Yeshua teaches here that “stumbling blocks” are inevitable, they will come into our lives, we will fall, yet we will get up again, that is part of the life of a believer. Our lives are like riding “roller-coasters” at times we are “up” and at times we are “down” because we are in our sinful bodies, yet it will only be “up” when we get into our “new bodies” in Heaven. Yeshua also speaks of forgiveness, which at times seems hard to do, especially when a person commits the same sin against us time after time, after time. YET we are COMMANDED to forgive. This can not come from the carnal man, only from the spirit-filled man (and woman).

Yeshua also speaks of “servanthood” Why do we do the things we do? To get special treatment or rewards? Or…because that which we do is expected of us from the Master? Yes, we are HIS servants, and because we ARE we do what we do using our spiritual gifts. YET Adonai has already promised rewards in heaven, but we shouldn’t do what we do because of the future rewards, but out of love for what HE has done for US on Calvary’s Tree.

Shalom

 

[First and the Last]

JOSHUA 2:1-24

The other “Spy Story” involves “two” spies. Yehoshua (Joshua) sends them out to spy out “Jericho” They arrive at the house of “Rahab” a prostitute, she hides them and expresses her faith in the “unseen God of the Hebrews” From verses 9 to 13 we read of her faith.

She hid the spies because the king of Jericho somehow found out that they had come to her. She risked her own life and the life of her family by hiding them on the roof.

“Our lives for yours” were the words of the spies when they left through the window by a rope. (vs 14) but faith needs action, (faith without works is dead) to show her faith, she needed to tie a scarlet cord in the window, so that when the Israelite army came, Rahab and her family would be saved.

This reminds us of Passover, that when the angel of death saw the “red” (blood) on the doorposts, the angel would “pass over” all who were in the house. In the case of Rahab and her family, they were saved from destruction, by obeying the mandate to;

“Bind this line of scarlet cord in the window…” (2:18).

Joshua 2:1, "And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there."

Joshua 2:1 highlights the importance of strategic preparation and seeking God’s guidance before undertaking significant tasks. It teaches us the value of planning and reliance on divine direction in fulfilling God’s purposes.

Joshua 2:2, "And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country."

Verse 2 tells us that the spies entered the house of Rahab the harlot and lodged there. The spiritual truth emphasized is God’s sovereign ability to use unexpected individuals for His divine purposes. Rahab, despite her occupation, displays faithfulness and becomes a key figure in God’s plan for Israel’s conquest of Jericho.

Joshua 2:3, "And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country."

In Joshua 2:3, when the king of Jericho learns about the spies, Rahab hides them and deceives the king’s messengers. This verse illustrates the courage and faith of Rahab, who risks her life to protect the spies. It shows the power of faith and loyalty to God, even in dire circumstances.

Joshua 2:4-7, "And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate."

Verses 4-7 describe the pursuit of the spies by the king’s men and Rahab’s deception to mislead them. This passage underscores the theme of divine protection and intervention. It demonstrates God’s faithfulness in shielding His people and fulfilling His promises, even amidst imminent danger.

Joshua 2:8-11, "And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath."

In verses 8-11, Rahab confesses her faith in Israel’s God and acknowledges His supremacy over the gods of Canaan. This passage reveals the spiritual truth of genuine repentance and belief in God’s power to save. Rahab’s faith leads to her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5), highlighting God’s grace and inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan.

Joshua 2:12-14, "Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee."

In verses 12-14, Rahab bargains with the spies for the safety of her family during the Israelite conquest of Jericho. This passage underscores the principle of intercession and the transformative power of faith. It demonstrates God’s mercy and willingness to extend salvation to those who turn to Him in faith and obedience.

Joshua 2:15-21, "Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way. And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and wh a tsoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window."

These verses detail Rahab’s plan to lower the spies from her window using a scarlet cord, symbolizing her faith and trust in God’s promise of protection. The scarlet cord signifies the blood of Christ and anticipates salvation through faith in Him. It illustrates the spiritual truth of redemption and the inclusivity of God’s salvation plan for all who believe.

Joshua 2:22-24 , "And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them: And they said unto Joshua, Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us."

Finally, Joshua 2:22-24 recounts the safe return of the spies to Joshua, reporting Rahab’s cooperation and the fear of the inhabitants of Jericho upon hearing of Israel’s God. This passage demonstrates the fulfillment of God’s promises and the victory He grants to those who trust in Him. It highlights the spiritual truth of God’s sovereignty and His faithfulness to His people’s obedience and faith.