Joshua Chapter 2
In our study last week we saw Joshua consult with the leaders and officers of each tribe and determine that the people were solidly behind him. God told them to get ready to cross over Jordan in 3 days which we discussed typified the three days and three nights that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lay in the grave before he rose victorious and ascended to the Father where he offered the blood sacrifice that would cover the sins of all men. We saw the chapter ending with the people vowing to do all the things that Moses had commanded them to do. We take up today in verse 1 of Joshua Chapter 2 and find that almost 40 years have passed since Moses sent spies into Canaan. Remember how that only 2 came back with a good report, one being Caleb and the other Joshua. Remember how that the failure to trust God was why the Israelites were forced to wander 40 years in the desert, one year for each day the spies were in the land. Now we see Joshua sending out 2 spies to spy out Jericho.
David Parham
12/20/20253 min read
Joshua – Lesson 2
Joshua Chapter 2
Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies
Website: http://www.kjvbiblestudies.net
Email: mail@kjvbiblestudies2.net
Introduction: In our study last week we saw Joshua consult with the leaders and officers of each tribe and determine that the people were solidly behind him. God told them to get ready to cross over Jordan in 3 days which we discussed typified the three days and three nights that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lay in the grave before he rose victorious and ascended to the Father where he offered the blood sacrifice that would cover the sins of all men. We saw the chapter ending with the people vowing to do all the things that Moses had commanded them to do.
We take up today in verse 1 of Joshua Chapter 2 and find that almost 40 years have passed since Moses sent spies into Canaan. Remember how that only 2 came back with a good report, one being Caleb and the other Joshua. Remember how that the failure to trust God was why the Israelites were forced to wander 40 years in the desert, one year for each day the spies were in the land. Now we see Joshua sending out 2 spies to spy out Jericho.
I. Note the Two Spies
Josh 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.
Josh 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.
When Joshua sent the two spies into the city of Jericho, he could not expect to receive help from the people since they were coming to take over the land. Note that the one who helps them is Rahab the harlot. We can learn from this that God can use all people in his service, and we know that Rahab got saved and was one of those that is mentioned as a woman of faith.
To help these men meant risking her life. Sometimes our service to God may require us to take some risks, but the rewards for being a good servant will outweigh any loss we may sustain. If we were to die in God’s service, we would be one of those who receive a Martyr’s Crown. It would take the Grace of God to stand in that hour, but if God helped us and we had the faith of the forefathers like Joshua, I truly believe we could die willingly for our Lord. We see in verse 1 that the men are told to go to Rahab the harlot’s house.
Prov 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
These men were directed by God, and he blessed their efforts.
Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
We know that by her name, that Rahab at one time had been a harlot, but the name did not mean she still was a woman of the night. Names stayed with people a long time after the fact, and God saved this woman and put her in His service.
Remember the story in Matthew about the man cleansed from leprosy. He was still called a leper as long as he lived.
Mat 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Mat 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
We see Simon still called a leper many months after being cleansed of his leprosy. God was using Rahab at this time to protect the men. Today, many of the finest Christians are those that have come from very sordid backgrounds. Part of the reason is due to the gratitude we have when God forgives many sins.
Luke 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Luke 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Luke 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
There was no doubt that the people of Jericho knew that the host of Israel were encamped opposite them on the other side of Jordan. Most likely they had a keen watch on them to be aware of any movement. Some Bible scholars claim that Joshua lacked faith in sending out these 2 men. But I believe it was like Moses sending out the spies, and God was pleased in it.
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