Joshua 2. PREPARE TO GO FORWARD While the people of Israel were prepared their supplies and arranging things to move forward across the Jordan River, Joshua sought intelligence as a good army general does. This wasn't an act of doubt regarding the word of the Lord, but he was doing what he knew how to do from past experience. God does not always let us know in advance how He is going to accomplish the work He puts into our hands. His expectation is that we will act in faith in Him. Acting in faith does not mean we take a careless view of things and sit by and wait for God to do His work without us. "Faith without works is dead."
Good intelligence is important when warfare is involved and we are to go forward to claim what God has done for us. The world is not happy with those whose faith in God alone is their motivation. People might think it is unreasonable to have nothing to do with the sinful activities of those around us. There are many professing Christians who want to cross-pollinate with the things happening around us that appeal to the flesh but have a religious flavor to them. The Lord who guided the spies to a specific place, can do the same for us today. We may not realize what we are up against until we take time to consider the consequences of our actions.
Why would the spies go to the house of Rahab? The house of Rahab would be a private place and at the same time be a place where information would be quietly made available. It would be a good place to ask questions and have no questions asked in return. It was also a place for quick escape because it was built on the wall. God had directed the spies because He knew her heart was open to Him and that she would be instrumental in Israel’s victory over Jericho. Not every person who has faith in God does everything right. The moral standards of Canaan were not the same as those of the people of God. She did not hesitate to lie to protect herself and her interests. Lying is sin so she wasn’t justified in that. In Hebrews11:31, Rahab is commended for her faith in God. Her lie is not mentioned. Under the pressure of the moment Rahab had to make a choice. The solution to a problem may not always be perfect. He simply asks us to put our trust in Him and do what is needed at the time. Flax stacked on a roof made an excellent hiding place. Lying is a common practice among people today, from the children all the way to leaders of nations. 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."
The Lord led the spies to a place to escape from danger, but it was also the one place in Jericho where one person believed in the God of Israel. We do not gauge a person’s interest in God by their background or lifestyle. We may find believers in the most unlikely places. They know the facts about God and His power but have not yet understood the blessings of His grace. “I know the Lord has given this land to you.” God in His mercy arranges things so they can hear the Gospel and respond with faith in Christ. "A seeking sinner and a seeking Savior always meet." Mercy was shown to Rahab who knew judgment was coming. “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, as did all the others in that area, of 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 the next to fall under 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).”
Moments of decision come and our choices will have an effect on us forever. Rahab believed what she had heard about God. She knew God was working for Israel and she knew judgment was coming on Jericho. There is judgment coming on 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 her faith in God. We cannot determine a person's interest in salvation by their appearance or lifestyle. We can tell them the Gospel and what God desires from them. By God's grace they can be saved through faith in Christ no matter who or what they are.
Preaching of coming judgment is a legitimate way to reach a person's conscience. To leave people unsuspecting that sin has terrible consequences is unfair to them, is a form of deception and is a disservice to them that has eternal damnation as the result. When a person desires salvation and deliverance from sin, then we can tell them of the mercy and kindness of God. “The Lord your God is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” Rahab confessed her faith in God and turned 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 one seeking salvation puts their faith in Christ, they confess Him as Lord and find deliverance. "By faith the harlot Rahab, perished not..."
Many people think the world has improved because people know a lot about many things. Knowledge has increased but morality has not. Sin and death still reign over the affairs of men. The creation of God continues on consistently in the way He intended since the beginning but the sin of mankind still brings the wages of sin which is death. The testimony of coming judgment is treated like a tale that is told to try to keep people civilized. But the coming of the Lord in judgment is not believed by most people. A low moral attitude even among believers has permeated all of humanity. Rahab knew deliverance had to come from somewhere else beside her. “Give me a true token.” She testified to her understanding the mercy of God by binding the scarlet cord in the window to show evidence of her faith. She received a promise from the spies that she had to adhere to as well as the spies.
Sometimes the hardest thing we have to do at times is to sit still and do nothing. Why wait? The Lord has us wait at times before we move forward to make sure we are ready. Waiting times directed by God have a reason. At that time, waiting was so that Rahab could be saved by grace, and her faith was testified to by her works. There was a soul to be saved. One family in that city was saved because one person had faith. Her faith was evidenced by her works [Jas.2:25]. Faith helps us to turn around and do what is right regardless of our past or the disapproval of others. By Rahab’s work of faith in receiving the spies in peace, she was justified and declared righteous in the sight of God. She was to be a sharer in the blessings of God's people. The judgment of God was held back until her deliverance was assured. The world is under the judgment of God, but it hasn’t happened yet because of those yet to be blessed.
Another reason was that God's people would be sanctified before going to claim their possessions in the promised land. Separation has to be defined. "This is the will of God, even your sanctification." There was separation to be confirmed. Everyone who was in Rahab’s house was saved. They had to be separate from what was going on around them. So were the children of Israel. God wants His people to be clean. "Be ye holy, for I am holy." How far am I willing to go in holiness before the Lord? In the waiting times in life, we need to prepare to go forward. Waiting times directed by God are not times of indecision but of holy preparation. When the heart is ready and the soul is warm and in fellowship with God, then we are ready to go forward to serve Him.