Joshua 2 The Spies
As Moses sent spies into the land 40 years ago, Joshua sends two spies into the land. Their target in Jericho. They are protected by Rahab, a prostitute and an ancestor of Jesus.
I’m sticking Joshua 2 in front of Joshua 1 because of the timelines in each story. In the story for today, the spies were gone at least 4 days. And when they returned to the camp of Israel, they had to cross back over the Jordan. In Joshua 1, the people are told that, “in three days” they will cross the Jordan. There isn’t time for the spies to do their job if Joshua 1 happened first.
The main point is that, Moses is dead and Joshua is now God’s man to lead Israel. Let’s join Joshua as he prepares for the people to take the land of Canaan.
♥ ♦ ♥
The days for mourning for Moses are nearing their end. Joshua knows what that means; it will soon be time to cross the Jordan and begin their campaign to take the land that God has promised them. Joshua wants a little more information on what lies ahead. He trusts God with ALL his heart, but he still wants to be prepared.
Joshua calls two of his most trusted men. When they come to his tent, he gives them instructions.
“I am sending you into the land to spy it out. Use stealth, and don’t let the inhabitants of the land detain you. ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’ (Joshua 2:1b)”
The two men hurry to their tents and gather skins for water and pouches for bread. They take no staves as they would easily be identified. They also take no weapons as their mission isn’t one of warfare. When they are ready, they return to Joshua.
“We are ready my lord.”
“May the Lord go with you and give you success. May He be your rear guard. May he guide your journey, each step of the way.”
Both men bow their heads in gratitude of Joshua’s blessing, then set off on their mission.
The Jordan river is at flood stage this time of year. The men carefully make their way to the ford in the river. Once night falls, they slip across, using the rope that is strung for passing barges back and forth. It is a slow process and takes much of their energies to keep from being swept down river. They are safely on the other bank shortly before the sun rises. There is a cave nearby where they kindle a small fire to warm themselves and dry their clothes. They are careful to shield it from sight.
“Where should we go first?”
“Joshua told us to spy out Jericho.”
“But he said to make sure to ‘include’ Jericho, no go there exclusively.”
“So where do you think we should go first?”
“Let’s make a wide circle and see what defenses that Jericho could call on before going to the city itself. That should be our last stop.”
“Agreed. As soon as it is light, we can start out on our journey.”
“I think we should do as much traveling at night as possible. It gives us a better chance of not being seen.”
“We will have to go to Jericho in the daytime though, as the gates will be shut at night.”
“This is true. Let’s leave the planning to the Lord. Joshua asked that He guide our steps.”
“Alright. We will go without fear, and let His Spirit guide our steps.”
“Right now, my body is telling me that I need to rest. The crossing took a lot out of me.”
“I agree. Now that our clothes are dry, let’s douse the fire and remain here until we are rested.”
The spies move as far away from the mouth of the cave as possible, so they will remain hidden while they rest. It is near midday when they rouse from their sleep. They carefully check to see if anyone is near the cave before exiting. Their journey begins.
It takes two full days for them to circle around Jericho through the planes. They find other cities some distance away from Jericho, but no garrisons that could provide reinforcements. What they do find lifts their spirits. The land is indeed rich and fertile. It is harvest season, and OH how plentiful that harvest! They hire on for an afternoon at one location. It helps them with their cover and they can converse with the other workers.
Finally, they come to the gates of Jericho. They make their way inside the city and look around. Having worked in the field, they have a little money to spend. It makes their task of blending in easier; or so they think. While in the market, they begin to garner the attention of the guards. Their style of dress is different from those of Jericho.
“We need to get out of here” one whispers to the other.
“I’m with you there! I don’t like the looks we’re getting.”
The two men make their way out of the market, as casually as possible. It is hard keeping watch over your shoulder while also watching for trouble coming your way. As they near the edge of the market, they are approached by a young woman.
“Follow me. I have a place you can hide.”
The two men look at one another. Both of their spirits know instantly that they can trust her. They give a curt nod and follow her out of the marketplace. Once they are out of the site of the guards, the three slow to a casual walking pace.
“I am Rahab. I live in the city wall. You can hide in my home until the danger passes.”
Again, both men feel their spirits saying “Yes” to the offer. The three quickly make their way to Rahab’s house and breathe a sigh of relief once the door is closed.
“You are men of Israel, aren’t you” Rahab states.
“How did you know?”
“Your manner of dress and now your speech gives you away.”
The men look down at their clothing. They didn’t consider them of any consequences until they were in the market.
“I suppose that we don’t look like your normal visitors.”
The men look around the room where Rahab lives. Their suspicions grow as they notice the prominence of a bed and paraphernalia surrounding it.
“Do you mind if I ask you what you do here in Jericho?”
Rahab hangs her head in shame. “I am a prostitute. I was taken into this life when I was very young, but I pleased the king so much that he granted me my freedom. On one condition; that I service him and his officers whenever they please.”
“That’s terrible!”
“We shouldn’t be here” whispers the other.
“You felt it yourself. The Lord leading us to her. Let’s see how things work out.”
Night is falling and the city gates close. The king has heard the report of the guard in the market. The guard included the fact that they were seen in the company of Rahab.
“Go and get them. Bring them to me immediately” bellows the king.
“At once, my lord” offers the guard as he slowly backs his way out of the throne room. Once he is safely outside, he grabs a small contingent of soldiers and they set out across the city.
Rahab has no doubt that the guard will report their sighting soon. She has to get them hidden FAST before trouble comes knocking on her door.
“I have to hide you. If they find you here, they will kill all of us.”
Rahab looks around frantically. She doesn’t see any immediate, and workable, hiding places. All of a sudden, an idea occurs to her
“You will be safe on the roof. No one but me goes up there, and I’m currently drying flax. You can hide under it. No one should think to look for you there.”
The three quickly make their way to the roof. The two spies move the flax to one side so they can lay on the bare roof. Then Rahab covers them up. “Don’t make a sound, no matter what you hear. Stay here until I come and get you.”
Rahab descends back down the ladder just as the guards come knocking on her door. She takes a moment to make sure she looks presentable and that no evidence of the flax is on her before answering the door.
“Good evening, my lord” Rahab purrs as she opens the door.
The head officer’s eyes roam over her body for a moment before he remembers his reason for being here. “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” (Joshua 2:3)
Rahab puts on an innocent and confused look. “What spies? Two men spoke to me today, but I don’t know where they were from. When the gate was getting ready to shut for the night, I saw them slip out. I have no idea where they were going. Perhaps if you hurry, you can catch up with them.”
“Thank you for your service to the king” the head officer. “I’ll be back to see you after we have caught them” he whispers to Rahab.
Rahab puts on a coy smile and bats her eye lashes at him as he walks away. As soon as they are off her porch, she shuts and bolts the door before sliding down it to the floor. She sits where she has melted until her heart stops its wild beating in her chest.
From her nearness to the city gate, Rahab could hear the guards shouting for the gate to be opened so that they could leave on their quest. She also heard the heavy bolt being driven home as the gates were closed and secured for the night. She knew it was safe now.
Rahab climbed the ladder to the roof again and spoke quietly to the men. “It’s safe now. They are chasing shadows across the plains” she says with a smile. Then her face turns serious. “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” (Joshua 2:9-13)
The two men looked at one another with astonishment.
“Surely the Lord has led us to this woman” says the first.
The second nods his head in agreement, then adds his voice too. “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” (Joshua 2:14)
The three made their way back down from the roof. Rahab began gathering supplies for their journey. “I will let you down through the window. That way you won’t be seen by anyone. ‘Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way.’ (Joshua 2:16)”
One of the men stopped Rahab in her preparations by taking her by the shoulders. He wanted to make sure their eyes met and hers held no deceit. When their eyes locked, he released her shoulders.
“We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down,…” The spy hands her a scarlet cord, which Rahab dutifully takes, “…and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household. Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head. But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.” (Joshua 2:18-20)
Rahab had also searched for signs of deceit. She found none. She nodded her head and replied; “According to your words, so be it.” (Joshua 2:21)
Rahab turned back to her work and then handed the men bundles with food for their stay in the hills. She carefully looked out her window and saw the glow of the torches of the king’s guards were very far away.
“Come quickly. Climb down this rope. I will see you soon. When you come into the land. I’ll be waiting.”
The rope Rahab used was sturdy and reached nearly the bottom of the wall. The two spies easily descended it and turned towards the hill country. They would find a cave and wait out the three days.
Rahab brought the rope back inside her room and covered it with a basket. As soon as the rope is stowed away, she rushes to the window and attaches the scarlet cord the spy gave her to it. She hopes no one will notice it, but if they do, she is sure she can come up with a plausible excuse.
The three days pass quietly for all but the king’s guards. They scour the countryside looking for the two spies. They go as far as the fords of the Jordan itself. They will NOT go across the Jordan, lest Israel set upon them! On the second day the frustrated army returns to the city. They haven’t found anything.
Rahab waits until the soldiers return before setting out on her mission to convince her family to join her in her home when Israel comes. She can’t tell them the whole story, but she has to convince them that they will be safest if they stay with her.
The spies were close enough that they could hear the thundering hooves of the horses as the guards returned to the city.
“Do you think it’s safe to leave yet” the first asks.
“Rahab said to wait three days. We are not leaving an hour earlier than that.”
On the third day, as soon as it was fully night, the spies slipped from their hiding place and made their way back to the Jordan. They took extra precautions not to be seen. When they reach the ford they looked at one another and shrugged their shoulders. Nothing to do but repeat their process from when they came into the land.
The Jordan is still flowing swiftly and peaking at the edge of its banks. It takes all their strength and ability to hold fast to the rope and make the crossing. Once they reach the other side, they fall to the ground in exhaustion. They can’t stay here long, because there is no cover to hide them.
After a few minutes of rest, they get to their feet and begin to make their way back to Israel’s camp. They are cold and wet, with their teeth chattering, but also excited!
“Meeting Rahab HAD to be the hand of the Lord!”
“I completely agree. I’m looking forward to seeing her again.”
“Surely not!”
“NOT in that sense of the word brother” the second scowls at his companion. “When we meet again, she will be part of Israel. He ways will assuredly be different. With all that the Lord has done for us through her, it couldn’t be any clearer.”
“We will see. First though, we will tell Joshua of our bargain.”
“Can we get out of these wet clothes and get a bowl of soup first to warm us?”
“I think Joshua wouldn’t begrudge us that” he says with a smile.
The men are approaching camp just as the sun is rising. They quickly stop to change their clothes and grab a hot drink before making their way to Joshua’s tent.
“How did your mission go” Joshua asks.
“It was a little scarry there for a bit, but it was well worth it!”
“That it was! We met, and were helped by a woman from the city. Her name is Rahab and she hid us from the guards. She spared our lives and asked that we spare hers and her family’s in return. I am… WE are certain that the Lord brought us to her.”
Joshua and the men discuss the bargain they had struck with Rahab.
“That sounds like an equitable bargain. We will honor your word.”
With a sheepish look on his face, the second spy tells Joshua a little more about Rahab. “My lord, Rahab is a prostitute who was sold into slavery when she was young. But she KNOWS that our God is stronger than ALL the other gods. She wants to be one with us.”
“The Lord can redeem ANY life. Moses murdered a man in his youth. Did you know that?”
The two look at one another in surprise and shake their heads.
“Her life will be quite different here. IF she loves the Lord, I’m certain He will make her into a precious vessel for His own use.”
“Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.” (Joshua 2:24)
“That he has!” echoed Joshua and the other spy.
As the two spies return to their tents, Joshua can’t help but compare the two times spies were sent into the land. The first resulted in 40 years of punishment and death for the first generation, because they refused to believe. THIS mission brought back the reply that he and Caleb had originally spoken to the people. “Soon!”
(to be continued)
While I was writing this story, I wondered about the rope. Had Rahab let other men down by that rope? Maybe so they wouldn’t be seen exiting her home? Whether it was ever used before, it served the Lord’s purpose that night. She took a BIG chance when she invited the spies to her home. And they took a BIG risk in trusting her. I have NO DOUBT that God prompted their spirits to accept the invitation.
God can use ANYONE, no matter what their past, for His Kingdom. I think that the GREATEST thing about this story is, the fact that Rahab was fully redeemed. She is actually one of the few women mentioned in Jesus’ ancestry. The former prostitute gave birth to Boaz. Boaz goes on to marry Ruth, a Moabite woman, who was once married to an Israelite. From Ruth, we have Obed. He is the grandfather of King David. So, Rahab was King David’s great, great grandmother.
Father God, THANK YOU that I am NOT beyond redemption! That there is NO ONE whom You won’t redeem if they give their life to You. YOU are the ULTIMATE at doing ‘make overs’.
You have made over my life! You’ve taken me from the angry child to the loving woman. Thank You for that Father God! Keep working on me. I still have a LONG way to go.
