PREPARE TO GO FORWARD. Joshua 2 The events described in this chapter detail reconnaissance and espionage during wartime through the ages. Jericho was a well-fortified city, and like other cities in Canaan, each was a small kingdom ruled by a local king. Forty years earlier, the people of Jericho had heard about the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea by the recently freed Israelites. News likely came periodically of the wandering tribe in the wilderness, but after forty years, it was old news. The king of Jericho and its citizens had become accustomed to hearing about a tribe of people wandering from place to place in the wilderness.
More importantly, this chapter tells the story of one woman’s faith. It serves as a testimony of mercy and a model related to salvation. We can become so used to delays in judgment that we start to think it will never happen. God is not slack concerning His promises like humans are. What He has decreed will definitely come to pass, but He doesn't use a calendar or clock to tell time. “Times of visitation” of various kinds are how “time” is viewed from God’s eternal perspective.
Those convicted of their sins and hardness of heart need to understand that the “accepted time” to receive God’s salvation isn’t determined by dates on the calendar but by the fact that the Gospel message has come into their lives. The Holy Spirit and the word of God are working to bring the light of salvation, their need for forgiveness of sins, repentance to God, and faith in Christ to be the focus of their mind and heart. To ignore these concerns is to reject a “time of visitation,” which may never come again. When someone hardens their heart, the Gospel may never have such an impact on them again.
While the people of Israel were preparing their supplies and getting ready to cross the Jordan River, Joshua sought intelligence as a skilled army general would. This wasn't an act of doubt about the word of the Lord, but he was doing what he knew from past experience. God does not always tell us how He will accomplish the work He gives us. He expects us to act in faith. Acting in faith doesn't mean we should be careless and just wait for God to do His part without us. "Faith without works is dead."
The moment for judgment on the wickedness of the Canaanites that had been long awaited finally arrived. Just a short distance from the Jordan River, the people of Israel waited for God's command to advance. You can imagine the two spies and Rahab on her house's roof, gazing over the strong, well-fortified city, observing everything operating normally in the community. It had been that way for generations, and most people saw no reason to believe it wouldn’t continue as such.
When a herald of the Gospel comes “preaching peace by Jesus Christ, He is Lord of all,” a time of visitation has arrived, even if many Christians’ children mutter within themselves, “Oh no, not again!” Those who accept the truth being preached and believe in Christ are saved “from the wrath to come." Conversely, those who reject, ignore, or delay repentance to God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will be lost forever during the upcoming judgment.
Good intelligence is vital when involved in warfare, and we must move forward to claim what God has provided for us. The world disapproves of those whose faith in God alone motivates them. People might consider it unreasonable to avoid participating in the sinful activities of those around us. Many professing Christians attempt to blend in with worldly temptations that appeal to the flesh but have a religious appearance. The Lord, who directed the spies to a specific place, can do the same for us today. We may not realize what we are facing until we take time to reflect on the consequences of our actions.
Why would the spies go to Rahab's house? Her house was a private place and also a location where information could be quietly shared. It was a good spot to ask questions without getting answers in return. Plus, it was easy to escape because it was built on the wall. God led the spies there because He knew her heart was open to Him and that she would play a key role in Israel’s victory over Jericho. She believed what she had heard about the miracles happening to the Israelites. Her faith in those stories saved her. Jericho’s unbelief, however, was its downfall.
The Lord guided the spies to a safe place to escape danger, but it was also the only spot in Jericho where one person believed in the God of Israel. We do not judge a person’s interest in God by their background or lifestyle. Believers can be found in the most unlikely places. They know facts about God and His power but have not yet fully grasped the blessings of His grace. “I know the Lord has given this land to you.” God, in His mercy, arranges circumstances so they can hear the Gospel and respond in faith to Christ. "A seeking sinner and a seeking Savior always meet." Mercy was shown to Rahab, who knew judgment was near. “Great fear of you has fallen on us.” “All… are melting in fear because of you.”
She had heard of the miracle that happened forty years earlier when Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. She knew, like everyone else in that area, about the defeat of Sihon and Og on the east side of the Jordan River. “We have heard… the Lord dried up the water”; “what you did…”; “whom you completely destroyed.” She believed her city would be next to fall to the power of the Lord God of Israel. Others had hardened themselves against what was coming, but she wanted deliverance. “Everyone’s courage failed (no more courage).”
The word of the Lord was real to Rahab. By faith, she understood that Jericho’s days were numbered and its progress was coming to an end. Grace was about to run out for Jericho, and she also was a “child of wrath” like all the other people of Jericho. But she believed judgment was coming and appealed to the grace and kindness of the Lord. She trusted in His power through the words of His representatives and cried for mercy.
Rahab’s personal confession creates the outer framework of the events recorded here. The inner framework is the report of military intelligence. Between these is Rahab’s personal account, which provided vital information to the spies. The entire outcome depends on Rahab’s actions. God uses those He chooses to accomplish the objectives He sets in the ways He chooses.
Not everyone who has faith in God always does what is right. The moral standards of Canaan were different from those of God's people. She did not hesitate to lie in order to protect herself and her interests. Since lying is a sin, she was not justified in doing so. In Hebrews 11:31, Rahab is praised for her faith in God. Her lie is not mentioned. Under pressure in that moment, Rahab had to make a choice. Sometimes, the solution to a problem isn't perfect. He simply asks us to trust Him and do what is necessary at the time. Flax stacked on a roof made for a good hiding place. Today, lying is common among people, from children to national leaders. One child reportedly said in a Sunday School class, "A lie is an abomination to the Lord - and a very present help in time of trouble."
Moments of decision arrive, and our choices will impact us forever. Rahab believed what she had heard about God. She knew God was working for Israel, and she was aware that judgment was coming on Jericho. There is judgment approaching for the world that cannot be avoided. Sin brings judgment, but there is deliverance for individuals. Peace has been made possible through "the blood of His cross." In an unlikely place, there was an unlikely person who had faith in God. We cannot judge a person's interest in salvation by their appearance or lifestyle. We can share the Gospel and what God desires from them. By God's grace, they can be saved through faith in Christ, regardless of who or what they are.
Preaching impending judgment is a legitimate way to reach a person's conscience. To leave people unaware that sin has terrible consequences is unfair to them, amounts to deception, and is a disservice that can lead to eternal damnation. When someone desires salvation and freedom from sin, then we can tell them about the mercy and kindness of God. “The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath,” Rahab confessed her faith in God and turned away from the gods of Canaan that could do nothing to save her.
The pattern of conversion is "faith comes by hearing," and we hear the truth of God. Believing what is said to be true leads one to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." When someone seeking salvation puts their faith in Christ, they confess Him as Lord and find deliverance. "By faith, the harlot Rahab perished not..." To many who hear the Gospel today and the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ that He is coming again for those who believe in Him, that warning has become old and irrelevant to the world today. Some people even make jokes about it, not realizing that the delay in fulfilling the promise is a wonderful act of divine grace.
Many people believe the world has improved because people know a lot about many things. Knowledge has increased, but morality has not. Sin and death still dominate human affairs. God's creation continues consistently as He originally intended, but mankind's sin still results in the wages of sin, which is death. The testimony of upcoming judgment is treated like a story told to try to keep people civilized. However, most people do not believe in the coming of the Lord in judgment. A low moral attitude, even among believers, has spread throughout all of humanity.
Rahab knew her deliverance had to come from somewhere else. “Give me a true token.” She demonstrated her understanding of God's mercy by tying the scarlet cord in the window as proof of her faith. She received a promise from the spies, which she had to follow, just as they had to. The scarlet cord was not her salvation but her testimony that she believed the words of those God had sent to her. They confirmed their promise with an oath, a vow that represented their responsibility. Their pledge of assurance, “Kindly and faithfully,” to Rahab was followed by a statement of confidence, “When the Lord gives us the land,” for themselves.
Sometimes the hardest thing we have to do is to sit still and do nothing. Why wait? The Lord makes us wait sometimes to ensure we are ready before moving forward. Times of waiting directed by God serve a purpose. During that time, waiting allowed Rahab to be saved by grace, and her actions demonstrated her faith. There was a soul to be saved. One family in that city was saved because one person had faith. Her faith was shown by her actions [Jas.2:25]. Faith helps us to turn around and do what is right, no matter our pasts or others' disapproval. Through Rahab’s act of faith in peacefully receiving the spies, she was justified and declared righteous in God's sight. She was to share in the blessings of God's people. God's judgment was held back until her salvation was secured. The world is under God's judgment, but it hasn’t come yet because there are still those to be blessed.
Another reason was that God's people would be sanctified before claiming their possessions in the promised land. Separation must be clearly defined. "This is the will of God, even your sanctification." There was a separation that needed to be verified. Everyone in Rahab’s house was saved. They had to be separate from their surroundings. So were the children of Israel. God desires His people to be pure. "Be ye holy, for I am holy." How far am I willing to go in holiness before the Lord? During waiting times in life, we need to prepare to move forward. Waiting times directed by God are not periods of indecision but of sacred preparation. When the heart is prepared, and the soul is warmed and in fellowship with God, then we are ready to serve Him.