The Spies of Jericho pt.1
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
I began to name this the ‘Bible Person Study’, but chose to go with the ‘Bible Character Study’. I hesitated to name it that, as I don’t want to diminish the fact that these are real people we’ll be examining. But the reason that it’s named the Bible Character Study is because we’ll be focusing on the person’s character throughout. But don’t forget that these were real people, with real lives that made real choices that had real consequences.
I. The Spies’ Nature
I. The Spies’ Nature
((What is their History / Background?)
Known but to God
The several times these men are referenced in Scripture, they are not named. They are referred to as:
‘two men to spy’ - v1
‘two men’ - v4
‘the men’ - v9;17
‘two men’ - v23; 6:22
‘young men that were spies’ - v6:23
An entire chapter + is dedicated to their deeds in Jericho, yet we’re never given their names.
Granted, the chapter is more so focused on Rahab and her wisdom & faith in the God of Heaven, but still, it’s noteworthy that they are not named.
They are known but to God
Grew under Godly Leadership
Undoubtedly these men were younger than 20yo when the first spies entered into Canaan’s Land 40 years earlier. Odds are, they were born in the wilderness given the term ‘young men’ in Jos. 6:23.
That being said, in their life, they were fortunate to be guided by a man by the name of Moses for the majority of their life. Then afterwards, they served under Joshua.
So they grew under Godly Leadership. They were fortunate to be around Godly people and witness faith in action.
They Grew under Godly Leadership
Grew under God’s Provision
Next we see that they grew under God’s Provision.
These young men fed from manna from Heaven.
They drank from water from a rock
They picked up stakes and followed the Glory of God in the Wilderness
They made their way to the Tabernacle, laid hands on the head of their offering, slew them & watched as the atonement blood was put upon the altar
Given Opportunity to Make a Difference
These two men were given an opportunity to make a difference. A difference in the lives of a multitude.
We’re not told any details as to how these two men were chosen - all we know is that they were given this opportunity, and this opportunity was huge in the history of a nation.
Given opportunity to make a difference
II. The Spies’ Notoriety
II. The Spies’ Notoriety
(What they are known for?)
Taking Refuge at Rahab’s (Jos. 2)
This chapter comprises about 95% of what we know about the spies:
They were sent
They were hid
They came and reported
It’s just a short chapter, but it’ effects are seen all the way until the birth of Jesus.
Known for Taking Refuge at Rahab’s
Delivering Rahab and Family (Jos. 6:22-23)
Once we go through the next couple chapters, where the COI cross over Jordan and march around Jericho and such, we see a few more verses - the men keep their oath and secure Rahab and her family from the destruction that would follow.
Delivering Rahab & Family
III. What Makes them Noteworthy
III. What Makes them Noteworthy
(What Lessons we can Learn from them?)
Character Matters
Character (def) the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.
By the actions of these men, we can make determination upon the character in which they have. And let me say this: CHARACTER MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Your character not only determines the kind of person you are, but largely what you will accomplish in life. And the one who determines your character is you, and you alone.
Character Matters. Now, let’s look at the character of these men.
Their Attributes
Courageous (v1a)
Consider if you will that your whole life, you’ve wandered around in the wilderness. You’ve fed on manna and been part of a nation of people - hundreds of thousands of people.
Now you’re being asked to leave the safety of numbers and go across Jordan and enter into a fortified city and serve as a spy. This most certainly is a death sentence if caught! Yet, they leave and move forward as asked.
I can’t imagine that they had no fear rising up within them. It would be the natural reaction to such a thing. If not in the camp when they spoke w/ Joshua, certainly as they went forward and the camp stayed behind.
It’s been said before but bears repeating, Courage is not the absence of fear, but continuing on in spite of it. These men showed great courage in the situation they were in.
I can only picture Joshua - the faithful servant of God - echoing the Words of God unto them as God had given unto him in Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
They were Courageous
Obedient (v1b)
‘And they went…’
They could have said:
‘Send someone else’
‘I’m not going’
‘Why should I have to?’
‘Look at all these people - what will they do?’ (Like Peter - Joh. 21)
But instead we’re told ‘they went’. This truth displays a great character trait that - if more Christians had, America would look drastically different today.
Let me ask you this: What does your obedience look like? Are you:
Sharing the Gospel?
Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Living Holy?
1 Peter 1:15–16 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Faithful to the House of God?
Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
In your Tithes & Offerings?
Malachi 3:8–10 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, Even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
These men put their lives on the line to be obedient, but oftentimes, we won’t even sacrifice our pride, or sacrifice a Big Mac to be obedient.
Obedience - a necessary Character Trait for a successful Christian life
Truthful (v14;17-20)
These men told the truth. They said “This is what we’ll do, and if you don’t keep your word, we we’re not held to ours”.
Remember - Rahab could have easily at that point still turned them over, so they weren’t saying stuff just to tickle her ear - they told the truth.
This is something that is dear to me. I’m like the psalmist in that I hate lying. Psalm 119:163 “I hate and abhor lying: But thy law do I love.”
But not everyone feels this way. And it’s funny - this is the one sin that everyone admits!
Truthfulness is a Godly Character trait, and we see that in the two men
Honorable (6:22-23)
This could fall in line with the fact that they were truthful, but it goes deeper than that.
We see that in Jos. 6:22, they had obviously conveyed that they had promised this unto Rahab. Not only that, but they also conveyed that she was a ‘harlot’.
Some would have had little problem breaking their word to one such as her. She would have been considered of ‘little value’ to many. But these were honorable men.
Whenever they reported back to Joshua - though it’s not recorded - it’s apparent that they told Joshua the story and their pledge to her. They were committed to keeping their word, even though most wouldn’t have cared to. That’s honor - and it’s something rare today.
Honor & integrity are the things that you do that glorify God when no one else is looking. You don’t do it for profit or recognition - but simply because it’s the right thing to do.
They were honorable
Full of Faith (v14;24)
This church is the catalyst. You want to know why they had Godly Characters? Because they knew and were full of Faith in the God of Heaven!
v14 - ‘when the LORD…’
v24 - ‘truly the LORD hath…’
The battle was already over as far as these men were concerned! These men were full of faith - AND IT SHOWED!
Do you know why so many people who profess Christianity live like Hell? Because of a lack of faith.
They don’t have faith that God means what He says
They don’t have faith that they’re accountable to God
They don’t have faith that God will reward the innocent and the guilty accordingly
It’s simply a lack of faith.
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
They were full of faith
The Aftereffects
Direction (v1b)
Do you think that it was by accident or happenstance that they found their way directly to Rahab’s house? That was most certainly the direction of God!
Because of their faith, God directed their steps!
Church, if we have faith in the Word of God, it will direct our steps as well!
Psalm 119:105 “NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:130 “The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.”
Some people follow the direction of:
Their parents
Their peers
Their teachers
Few follow the direction of the best navigational tool known to man - the Word of God! But for those who have faith in it, it will direct their path!
It might take you to the Red Sea, but it’ll lead you through it!
It might take you to the wilderness, but it’ll sustain you in it!
It will lead you unto the promised land, and cause you to conquer it!
It’ll give you direction
Discernment
In Listening (v4;6)
When the spies got to Rahab’s house, she begins to give them direction - and they listen!
Think about that - who is she that they should listen to her? But God gave them discernment! They understood that there’s a time to talk and a time to listen - and this was the time to listen!
So often people are led astray because of a lack of discernment. Instead of listening to Godly direction, they fall prey in listening to foolishness and vanity.
Consider Rehoboam, Solomon’s son - he had opportunity to listen to two different people, yet he lacked discernment and was led astray.
God gave them discernment in listening, but also in speaking
In Speaking (v14-20)
God gave them what to say in that time as well… and I love when God does that!
(Ill.) I spend a lot of time in study - because I need it. I recognize that it’s my duty as a minister of Christ to devote time to it - and I believe God honors that. However, there’s been times (recently) when I was called on to speak and I didn’t have time to study or prepare at all… and God was so gracious several times in giving me wisdom in words and thought to share in those times. (Devotions at school, Bible study during study hall)
Faithfulness in God will give you discernment in Speaking as well
Deliverance
God gave them deliverance from the perilous situation they were in.
Although it was a tremendous test & the odds were stacked against them, God delivered them from the situation.
Church know this: God is in control! God doesn’t control all (as the Calvinist thinks), but God is most certainly in control - and there is nothing that can come upon you that He doesn’t permit, and IF HE PERMITS IT, IT’S FOR A PURPOSE FOR YOUR GOOD AND HIS GLORY if you Love Him and called according to His Purpose.
He give you Deliverance.
Character Matters - and it affects everything you achieve (or don’t) in life.
We Choose who we Become
Their parents may or may not have made it to the promised land. It’s possible that their parents were under 20 and had them and they all got there, but not likely.
Providing that their parents were a part of the faithless generation that died in the wilderness, and then display this great character to do this great thing for God, we notice this fact: We choose who we become.
They could have become like the generation before them, or they could be like Moses & Joshua. Regardless, they chose to be like Moses & Joshua.
We don’t choose what circumstances we’re born in
We don’t choose what community we’re born in
BUT WE ALL CHOOSE WHAT CHARACTER WE WILL LIVE OUT!
We choose who we become
Godly Leadership and Provision can make an Impact on the Young
As we notice, these young men had godly influences in their lives - whether their parents were or not! And it’s obvious that the Godly influence shaped them into the people who would do this great thing for God and a nation.
(Ill.) When I consider both my own experiences and those of whom I’ve seen, sometimes, ministry is frustrating. No matter whether it’s ministering to the young or old, it can be frustrating. But as you know, I make it a point to give of my time, effort and wisdom to the youth in our church. It’s important to me, do you know why? Because I believe I can make a positive difference in their lives. I won’t all, but I will some!
When the youth see what a Godly leader should be, it’s inspiring. It’s inspiring, because it’s not something many of them see very often! Then when they see God move in your life and ministry, it can make an impact. It certainly did these men!
Godly Leadership and Provision can make an Impact on the Young
What we Do is more important than Who we Are
I made mention that the Bible doesn’t give us their names… and you know what? That’s fine. Because it’s not about who you are, but what you do. Your name doesn’t define you, but what you do does.
A generation from now, if no one remembers the name ‘Scott McGraw’ that’s fine. All I want is for the effect of the life of Scott McGraw to have made a difference. I want the call & cause of Christ to be furthered by my life and ministry.
It’s not about lifting ourselves, it’s about lifting up the name of Jesus! That’s what matters!
What we do is more important than who we are
Opportunity is too Precious to Squander
This was an opportunity like no other. Had they not seized this opportunity, would they have had another like it?
We must take advantage of every opportunity that the LORD provides for us - for they are just too precious to waste.
Opportunity is too precious to squander
Conclusion
Conclusion