Joshua 2- 6

In the study of this week, we are confronted with 2 astounding works of the Lord in the O.T.  One displays His terrifying judgment on sin; the other showcases His amazing grace toward sinners.  These divine acts which took place about 1400 years before Christ, in Canaan at a location just north of the Dead Sea, display truths we need to know in order to more fully understand the Lord.

The first work is the divinely ordained destruction of an important city in Canaan…every human being and economically valuable animal in the city of Jericho were killed.  Why did the Lord order such a deed?  The indication is that it was in order to put an end to a society that had built its culture around wrong values and practices- beliefs and behaviors that demonstrated rejection of God and defiance of His plan for people.  Canaan had been affirming and advancing cultural values detestable to the Lord…human sacrifice, sexual immorality and the worship of false gods.  The Lord used Joshua and the Israelites to purge the pagan people groups from Canaan, along with every aspect of their God-defying religion.

The second work addressed in our study of this large portion of Scripture shows another equally important aspect of God’s nature and work—His marvelous mercy.  God judges sin and He saves repentant sinners…no one is beyond the reach of God’s glorious grace. 

Rahab demonstrated herself to be a woman of faith and spiritual insight, one deeply concerned about the safety and protection of her family, and an especially helpful informant for the Israelite cause. 

The Canaanite and Hebrew language were closely related to one another which enabled the spies and Rahab to communicate in a meaningful manner.  When Rahab said “I know that the LORD has given you this land (v.9) she showed that she knew the personal name of the Lord and His authority and purpose…she accepted that the Lord had given the land to His own people.  She knew that He had dried up the waters of the Red Sea and bring them out of Egypt; that took care of the most powerful military force in the Biblical world. 

(v.11) Rahab understood that the Lord was superior to Canaanite gods in yet another way…God is God in heaven above and on earth below.  His authority knew no bounds.

Her house was built into the city’s walls.  By the spies entering her house, they were able to penetrate Jericho’s key defensive structure. The could examine the walls and defensive feature closely and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.  The walls that Rahab mostly exposed was the fact that the enemy’s will was not strong.  She revealed that their citizens had LOST HEART, AND EVERYONE’S COURAGE FAILED. 

Rahab showed the willingness to pay any price to meet the needs of another.  She risked her life to save the spies lives; therefore, the Israelites should be willing to spare her life and those of her family.

Rahab displayed tremendous courage in the midst of adversity when she spoke and acted in behalf of the Lord and His people.  She expressed her personal conviction about the Lord in an amazing statement of faith.  We too, demonstrate courage when we respond to challenging situations by verbally expressing our faith in the Lord. 

The spies knew that their safety to escape the city was directly in Rahab’s hands.  By saving just 2 Israelites’ lives, Rahab would gain the deliverance from death of all her closest kin.  It is clear that she accepted the arrangement that they offered her.  Her actions are noted in the N.T.: Jesus’ genealogy (Matt 1:5) in Heb. hall of faith 11:31James 2:25.  Rahab displayed great courage and won a spot in Biblical history when she responded to a challenging situation by demonstrating faith in action.  We can be just as courageous and faithful; in the midst of life’s challenges we, too, can translate God centered faith into action. 

As we reminded you last week:  The life of faith has been likened to a tightrope act in which the believer’s dependence upon God must constantly be balanced with human action.  It was like that for Israel.  On the one hand Canaan was, “the Promised Land 1:2.  God had promised, “I will not abandon you or fail to help you.”  1:5.  And “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  1:9 wonderful truths to claim.  But that didn’t mean the Israelites were free to sit back and do nothing!  There was a hike to begin, and a most important step of faith to take into the Jordan River—a step only the people could initiate. Where is God waiting for you to do His will through a step of obedience?  God has battles for you to fight and win in His strength, but you must do your part.

The inhabitants of Jericho probably felt protected by the floodwaters of the Jordan.  The Lord had performed a second water crossing miracle on behalf of His people – crossing the Red Sea which freed them from a land of bondage; the 2^nd, the crossing of the Jordan River – bound the people to a land of freedom.  God clearly demonstrated that He was Israel’s ultimate Promise Keeper. 

In the move across the Jordan River, we have a visual and action demonstrating the WALK of the Christian.  The waters of the Jordan River did not stand up and back to expose dry land until the priests’ steps entered the water on the edge of the bank.  The waters did not move back across the dry center of the river until the priests’ feet exited the bed unto the normally dry ground.  These were steps of obedience and faith in our God instructions!

4: 1-24 recount the Israelites’ obedience to God’s command.  They hastily made their way across the Jordan’s dry riverbed…one man from each tribe lifted a large stone on his shoulder and carry it to Israel’s first resting place in their new homeland.  Joshua created a memory evoking monument designed to help all future generations to know and remember what the Lord had done.  

The jubilation that the people must have felt upon setting foot in the Promised Land is quickly tempered by the realization that there are still battles to be fought and won.  Jericho. The first great military objective proves no match for God’s unorthodox tactics and obedient people. 

Can you imagine the reaction of Joshua’s lieutenants when they heard God’s battle plan for toppling Jericho?  What?  March around the city for a week blowing horns?  That is ridiculous!  We’ll be the laughingstock of all Canaan! 

The Israelites are encouraged by the news of a terrified enemy before them, and inspired by God’s miraculous parting of the flood swollen Jordan River.  Once the new generation has been set apart to God in the ceremony of circumcision, the stage is set for conquest.

God never explains the WHY behind the unusual strategy against the walled city.  Nevertheless, Joshua was obedient.  When I hear God’s directions for my ‘day’, do I do the same as Joshua?  He did what he had been commissioned to do.  And on the 7^th day, Jericho’s amusement turned to horror as “the walls came a-tumbling’ down”. 

It is not always easy to understand God’s will.  While the life of faith may sometimes seem as ridiculous as blowing a ram’s horn at the foot of an enormous problem – rest assured that God’s will can only be accomplished in your life by complete obedience to His Word.  When God’s unorthodox ways keep you from doing His will – blow the horn on yourself!!! 

In chp. 5 we are given details of Israel’s transition from being people on a sacred pilgrimage to people living in a sacred land.  They celebrated Passover (only 3^rd time) … reminder to the people of the Lord’s commitment to His people as they obeyed His instructions and promise of the coming Lamb.  Circumcision was carried out as the sign of their covenant with the Lord…a formal recognition of the people’s renewed commitment to the Lord.  A fitting confirmation of the Israelites’ transformation from sojourners to settlers is seen in the dietary changes that occurred at that time.  “There was no more manna for the Israelites; they ate from the crops of the land of Canaan. 

The remaining portions of this passage provide confirmation that not just on the journey but also in God’s land, God’s people were to follow God’s leadership. 

The spies who knew Rahab and would recognize her were given the responsibility of making sure that she was rescued with her family.  Rahab was a Canaanite woman with an Israelite heart.  Her faith had literally saved her.

What the blood on the doorposts on the 1^st Passover night in Egypt was to the houses of Israel, the scarlet cord in the window of Rahab’s house was!

There is practical advice for Christian living that Rahab’s life teaches:  Put your faith in the Lord and help His people where you can, knowing that God can use your efforts in ways beyond your wildest imagination.  The Lord rewards eternally and often temporally those who place their faith in Him.