Joshua 02
Joshua Sends Spies into the Land
2:1 Joshua son of Nun sent two spies out from Shittim secretly and instructed them: “Find out what you can about the land, especially Jericho.” They stopped at the house of a prostitute named Rahab and spent the night there.
Joshua was one of the original spies who brought back a positive report during the days of Moses. Joshua now sent out two spies to find out about the land. Jericho was one of the most powerful fortified cities of Canaan. God’s providence led them to the house of a prostitute named Rahab. Many commentators like to soften Rahab’s profession, calling her an inn-keeper instead. However, Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 recorded that she was an immoral woman. Many beautiful pagan women were sold into temple prostitution by their fathers. Many kings and priests forced beautiful women into prostitution temples.
2:2 The king of Jericho received this report: “Note well! Israelite men have come here tonight to spy on the land.”
The disguise of the two Israelite spies was not good enough to fool the people of Jericho.
2:3 So the king of Jericho sent this order to Rahab: “Turn over the men who came to you – the ones who came to your house – for they have come to spy on the whole land!”
The King of Jericho ordered Rahab to turn over the spies.
2:4 But the woman hid the two men and replied, “Yes, these men were clients of mine, but I didn’t know where they came from.
Rahab hid the two men, placing her own life in danger.
2:5 When it was time to shut the city gate for the night, the men left. I don’t know where they were heading. Chase after them quickly, for you have time to catch them!”
Rahab lied. Some commentators point out that lying is not a sin if it is used as a war strategy for good purposes. Had Rahab not lied, then God would have provided protection for the two spies in a different way. The Book of Hebrews commended Rahab for her faith. She was not condemned for her lying. Only liberals who do not know Bible doctrine condemn Rahab for lying during a time of war.
2:6 (Now she had taken them up to the roof and had hidden them in the stalks of flax she had spread out on the roof.)
Rahab hid them under the stalks of flax on the roof. Flax was dried on the roofs for linen cloth.
2:7 Meanwhile the king’s men tried to find them on the road to the Jordan River near the fords. The city gate was shut as soon as they set out in pursuit of them.
Rahab sent the soldiers on a wild goose chase.
2:8 Now before the spies went to sleep, Rahab went up to the roof.
After the soldiers left, Rahab went up on the roof to talk to the two spies.
2:9 She said to the men, “I know the Lord is handing this land over to you. We are absolutely terrified of you, and all who live in the land are cringing before you.
Rahab was a Canaanite living in the land of Canaan. Every man, woman, and child was to be exterminated. Did this genocide include Rahab also, who had just claimed faith in the one true God? Rahab also reported to the spies about the low morale of the Canaanite troops.
2:10 For we heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt and how you annihilated the two Amorite kings, Sihon and Og, on the other side of the Jordan.
The Red Sea had dried up forty years earlier. The Canaanites still remembered this supernatural event.
2:11 When we heard the news we lost our courage and no one could even breathe for fear of you. For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below!
Rahab again expressed her faith in Jehovah. This meant that she was one of the elect called by God before the foundation of the world.
2:12 So now, promise me this with an oath sworn in the Lord’s name. Because I have shown allegiance to you, show allegiance to my family. Give me a solemn pledge
Rahab asked for a pledge in Jehovah’s name.
2:13 that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and rescue us from death.”
All of the Canaanites were to be exterminated, but Rahab asked for mercy for herself and her family.
2:14 The men said to her, “If you die, may we die too! If you do not report what we’ve been up to, then, when the Lord hands the land over to us, we will show unswerving allegiance to you.”
The spies agreed not to execute Rahab and her family. God did not rebuke the two spies for this decision. God told Abraham that He would give the Amorites 400 years to repent. Rahab and her family were the only converts, so God saved them. If the other Canaanites had turned to God, then they could have been spared as well.
2:15 Then Rahab let them down by a rope through the window. (Her house was built as part of the city wall; she lived in the wall.)
There was an outer wall and inner wall surrounding the city. Rahab was not wealthy, so she lived on the outer wall.
2:16 She told them, “Head to the hill country, so the ones chasing you don’t find you. Hide from them there for three days, long enough for those chasing you to return. Then you can be on your way.”
Rahab sent the spies in the opposite direction of the soldiers.
2:17 The men said to her, “We are not bound by this oath you made us swear unless the following conditions are met:
The spies gave some survival conditions to Rahab.
2:18 When we invade the land, tie this red rope in the window through which you let us down, and gather together in your house your father, mother, brothers, and all who live in your father’s house.
Rahab was to tie a red cord in her window. Her family was to stay inside of the house at all times.
2:19 Anyone who leaves your house will be responsible for his own death – we are innocent in that case! But if anyone with you in the house is harmed, we will be responsible.
Anyone who left the house would be killed.
2:20 If you should report what we’ve been up to, we are not bound by this oath you made us swear.”
If Rahab reported to the spies, then the agreement was null and void.
2:21 She said, “I agree to these conditions.” She sent them on their way and then tied the red rope in the window.
Rahab agreed to these conditions.
2:22 They went to the hill country and stayed there for three days, long enough for those chasing them to return. Their pursuers looked all along the way but did not find them.
There were many limestone caves in the hill country. Some of these hills were 1500 feet high. The soldiers were not able to find the spies.
2:23 Then the two men returned – they came down from the hills, crossed the river, came to Joshua son of Nun, and reported to him all they had discovered.
The two spies gave a report to Joshua.
2:24 They told Joshua, “Surely the Lord is handing over all the land to us! All who live in the land are cringing before us!”
This was a much different report than that of the ten spies from forty years earlier.