By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
AMAZING GRACE
Joshua 2:4–21
Last week our study ended as the nation of Israel began a three-day period of preparation to cross the Jordan River and enter the land of Canaan. The fascinating story of Rahab is intertwined with the story of Joshua sending two spies to scout out Jericho just as Moses had sent out 12 spies to scout out the land of Canaan 38 years earlier. Perhaps Joshua dispatched only two spies because in the earlier scouting mission, only two of the 12 returned with a faithful report.
A Bold Act (4–7)
The king of Jericho was told that two Israelite men had come to investigate the land and that they were hiding in Rahab’s house. He immediately sent men to her house to apprehend the spies.
Although it put her in danger, Rahab hid the two spies on her roof under stalks of flax and told the king’s agents that the spies had already departed from her house. The king’s agents hastened to chase after the spies.
Rahab clearly lied to the king’s agents. Rahab’s deception presents us with an ethical dilemma. It is significant for us to note that the writer of Joshua did not justify or condemn Rahab’s deception, although her actions saved the lives of the two spies.
Lying is sin to God (Ex. 20:16) for He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). God commended her faith (Heb. 11:31; James 2:25) as expressed in verses 9–16, not her lie. God never condones any sin, yet none of us is without some sin (Rom. 3:23), and thus we all need God’s forgiveness. But God also honors true faith, as small as it is, and imparts saving grace (Ex. 34:7).
A Kind Action (8–13)
In these verses, Rahab revealed why she had welcomed the spies into her home and protected them from the king of Jericho.
She used the personal and covenantal name of God as she spoke with the spies. Rahab shared that she knew Yahweh had given the land to the people of Israel. She acknowledged that her people were all terrified of them and were panicking because of them.
God’s reputation had preceded the arrival of the spies. They had heard how Yahweh had dried up the waters of the Red Sea when He guided them out of slavery in Egypt.
They had also heard that Yahweh had enabled them to destroy Og and Sihon, the two Amorite kings. Rahab and her people understood that the God who defeated these kings could destroy any king of the land.
Rahab pleaded with the spies to show her and her family kindness because she had shown kindness to them. She confessed that their God, Yahweh, is the God of heaven and earth.
A Daring Escape (14–16)
The spies agreed to show kindness and faithfulness to Rahab and her family if she remained faithful and did not expose their mission. She helped them escape by letting them down through a window in the city wall.
She directed the spies to flee toward the hill country for three days to evade capture before returning to their camp.
A Firm Assurance (17–21)
The spies confirmed the details of their agreement with Rahab. When they entered the land, she had to have the scarlet cord they gave her hanging out her window. The spies promised that everyone in her house would be delivered from the wrath to come.
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