Joshua Study 2

An Unlikely Convert

Text: Joshua 2

Introduction

Themes of the book: Conquest, God’s promises, “holy war.”

Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding the Bible When the Events of This Book Happened

Archeologists of the ancient Near East call the period of 1550–1200 B.C. the Late Bronze Age. Many Canaanite ruins from this era have been excavated, revealing an advanced but idolatrous civilization. The archaeological data support either an early date for the destruction of Jericho (about 1406 B.C.) or a late date (about 1250 B.C.). The late date, however, does not allow the pre-monarchy period to last at least three hundred years (

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 1–2

Archaeologists have done a great deal of research at Jericho. They tell us

Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding the Bible Genre and Literary Style

Joshua is mainly a report of the military conquest and settling of Canaan,

Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding the Bible Themes

It was strictly limited to that time and place, so the book cannot be used today to justify military or civil violence for the purpose of advancing God’s kingdom.

Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding the Bible Themes

The book does show, however, that those who oppose God will not stand forever. During the present (Christian) era the only weapon Christians are to wield as Christians is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (

The many battles we will journey through are used to teach the world an imperative truth: The God of Israel is the one true living God!

You and I look forward to that day when that climatic moment of God reigning in triumph over every kingdom across the globe.

1) Calculated Steps Of Faith

A. God gave His promise & Joshua sent out spies (v1)

This may seem like Joshua was verifying God knew what He was talking about.

To the contrary. Joshua trusted God’s promise of victory over their enemies. However, he also knew that their was work on his part to be done.

APP — A working faith is a biblical faith.

Joshua spied out the land not because he doubted God, but because he believed Him.

If Joshua was to march into that massive fortified city, he needed to gather as much information as possible.

God has no problem for his people to gather the facts. He does expect us to trust Him in spite of the facts.

a) Sending spies had to potential to make Joshua vulnerable to negative criticism

Joshua was facing a heavily fortified city and would be using conventional warfare tactics.

Joshua needed specific info to develop a military strategy.

However, sending out spies hadn’t produced much faith in times past.

That would not be the case this time.

The huge migrating nation had put behind them forty years of murmuring and squabbling and were ready to take the Promised Land.

They certainly did not want to repeat the history of their early fathers.

History will always repeat itself when you commit the same sins.

2) An Un-Calculated Move Of Faith

A. A likely place to ask questions and seek refuge

While this was not the place for a Christian to be spending their leisure time, it was a good location for a few reasons:

More than likely you would find the info you were looking for and not having anyone ask questions in return.

Rehab’s house/inn was actually build into the outer fortified wall of the city.

(Most importantly) God knew the heart of this prostitute was humbled and open to Him. All she had to give was simple faith. That was all God desired!

God uses people with the simplest faith for greater purposes.

You might say, “But her past and present life was strongly sinful?”

There is no sinful history God can’t break through and forgive.

The shape you are in because of your past sins is not a problem to be reshaped by the great Potter’s hands.

B. A unlikely place where faith was exercised (v4-7)

Following hearing about the king’s command to search the land of the spies Rehab provided safe hiding for them.

(v6) Flax needed to dry out in order to be latter made into yarn. This yarn would be used to make fine linen. Flax grew anywhere from three to four feet tall.

What about her choice to lie in order to save the spies? Isn’t lying a sin?

Hebrews 11:31 “31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”

I’ve heard a few explanations:

God forgave her of her lie to provide peace to the spies.

Rehab was simply deceiving the enemy. That is acceptable during wartime.

Rehab wasn’t a Jew, so she shouldn’t be held to Jewish law.

Was there a better way to have kept them safe? Possibly.

I will say this, with her current mind shaped in idolatry and prostitution, her choice to lie for the sake of peace tells us her heart was heading in the right direction. However, she still had a way to go.

Place yourself in that high stakes position having to make a quick decision.

Your choice might not be the most perfect solution either.

God does not demand our judgment be perfect in every situation.

First of all, it is impossible for us to do that.

Secondly, all He asks is for us to do the best we can and trust Him.

That is exactly what Rehab did and therefore she was commended for her faith.

C. An unexpected profession of faith (v8-13)

Again, what you read here is truly amazing faith! Her being a pagan, a Canaanite, and prostitute would lead you to believe she would be too far gone to even be a little bit interested in God.

In simple terms she was willing to risk everything for a God she barely knew.

Q — Have you ever let a persons background or appearance hinder you from sharing with them to Gospel?

a) We learn what brought fear into their hearts

The Red Sea being dried up by God following 40 years in Egypt.

Victories over the Amorite kings, Sihon, and Og.

She said their hearts “melted” with fear.

This fear removed every ounce of courage they had.

This brings the guiding principal to light: There is alway a bigger picture God is developing far beyond your life through the circumstances He permits in your life.

b) Rehab’s profession if clearly presented

Joshua 2:11 “11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”

Her profession is also seen in her request (v12-13)

3) A Working Faith Was Required

A. The spies gave stipulations attached to their agreement.

This would surely be a test that would vet her trusting faith in Yahweh/Elohim.

James 2:18–20 “18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

James 2:26 “26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Big Takeaways

Our faith in God never removes our personal responsibility to do our very best with what we have.

Never underestimate what God is doing with the story He is writing in your life as you are going through challenging times. One soul or more may be ready to come to him. They need your life as the final nudge.

Never retract the gospel from those who may live or look different than you. Honestly, they are no different than you. They may just allow their sin to be more visible in the daylight than you.

God can work through anyone if they will simply makes themselves available to Him.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 6: Joshua Scripture Outline

Throughout the Bible and church history, God has opened new doors and new opportunities for his people through the most unlikely people. Through it all, God has shown himself able to fulfill the promises he made. He has indeed proved to be the God of heaven above and earth below without competition.