Joshua - Josh. 2:3-7 DailyBibleStudy.Org

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Josh. 2:3-7

Lesson # Josh. 2:3-7
Study Material - Josh. 2:3-7

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Josh. 2:3-7

3 And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, 'Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.' 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, 'Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And it came about when it was time to shut the gate, at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.' 6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. 7 So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.

The search was on for the two spies sent by Joshua. Joshua had sent spies to check out the land and especially the vicinity of Jericho. As we will see they will not find out much about the layout of the city, its defenses, strengths, weaknesses, but they will discover what God intended for them to discover, the fear of the population regarding the Israelites.

On the horizon is the destruction of the city and its occupants know it. They have heard the stories of those defeated over the past 40 years beginning with the Egyptian army. Now there were spies within their very walls.

Rahab gets a knock on the door and an interrogation, but a superficial one at that. 'Yes she has seem them, but doesn't know where they came from.', and this is a true statement. She has seen them. She didn't know 'exactly' where they came from. It was common knowledge that the Israelites were out in the desert somewhere, but even though Jericho was only about seven or so miles from the Jordan River, the location of the Israelites was not known.

Jericho was concerned about two men within their city walls, and there were some two million more Israelites just a few miles away. Jericho did not have their own spies out and about checking out the Israelites. Their movements, strengths, weaknesses, disposition, and so forth. Jericho was not making plans for a battle except in their closing and hiding behind the city gates at night. And, of course, they were searching for two men, in obvious Israelite apparel, but couldn't find them.

God makes His presence known to whom He pleases. Those who are positive will discover the truth. Those who are negative can't find it even when it is right under their nose. The spies did not walk into the city announcing themselves and asking for Rahab. In some miraculous way, they made their way into the city and stumbled onto Rahab, who immediately recognized who they were, and immediately made a plan to conceal their identities. Rahab was a quick thinker, and courageous. She did not lie in her deception, but protected the men as well as her own family for the sake of what is right. This cannot be construed as justifying some means for some good result. Certainly many politicians, salesmen, those who would deceive for their wicked agenda, might tell little white lies to protect something they believe is good. But that good thing, generally turns out to be something selfish or a phony cause. We should tax everyone to the maximum in order to feed the children. Well the kids do not get fed, but the politicians paychecks get fatter, and so forth. Lies can never be justified and generally become as front for even more deceptive lies, however, when there is a clear distinction between right and wrong as in a military situation, when capture may mean ones own execution or the endangerment of others in a fight for freedom, then one does not have an obligation to tell the enemy anything truthful. Withholding information in this case is not a lie.

The people of Jericho were degenerate and under judgment from God. They practiced all manner of sin, crime, violence, human sacrifice, and the list continues. This degenerate list is given regarding the nature of the peoples in the land of Canaan in later passages. Yet, even in the midst of all this degeneracy, Rahab found Bible doctrine and changed her own life. So obviously there was doctrine available in some form even though most rejected it. They had over 40 years of hearing stories about the Jews coming out of Egypt and all their adventures, yet the people of the land continued to reject even the most awesome miracles performed by God, as well as rejecting God Himself.

The spies slipped out of sight briefly as Rahab told that they had gone somewhere, perhaps they left toward the Jordan?? As men from Jericho rushed to chase this shadow, Rahab rediscovered these men and hid them on the roof under some flax. The men of Jericho, probably a small number, a squad, pursued the two toward the Jordan river. The gates were closed. The spies were safely hidden under the flax. The city was in fear.

Joshua will not gain much military information from this reconnaissance, but the city will suffer yet another anxiety attack. Thinking that they are next on the list to be destroyed. Their lives at the brink of death. The spies came in among them and left without being seen or found. How much more helpless could they feel? Yet, still knowing all this. Knowing all they knew about the Israelites and the God of Israel, they did not change their minds. They did not repent. They did not come running out begging for mercy. They did not even consider that this God of Israel might be the real thing, and perhaps they should get a little more information on God. They remained stubborn in their unbelief.

Their gate is closed and so is their attitude. They were chasing something that did not exist and would never find it. They were always looking in the wrong place. Such is the life of the negative unbeliever, and so to the negative believer. Always following their own 'better' course in life, but never realizing that it is totally wrong. In doctrine there is safety even in the midst of evil and danger. If God wants you hidden, no one will find you. In this case simple flax was more than enough.

Now is the time to post a prayer.

End Of Lesson

Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.

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