Joshua 2

Sermon Text: Joshua 2 / Reading: Joshua 2:8-14

Reflection Text: Psalm 103:1-14

INTRO

Today, we will hear a sensational account of how Rahab will come to know the God of this Bible as her HOPE and her LORD.

It is an incredible account of heroism, risk, faith, God’s Sovereignty, and covenant. We’ll look at some of those elements today.

Some good questions to have going into this chapter are:

“WHAT DOES THIS ACCOUNT TELL ME ABOUT GOD? …HOW HE DEALS WITH PEOPLE?”

IF GOD CAN USE RAHAB…IF GOD CAN USE HER STORY…WHAT WILL GOD DO IN AND THROUGH YOU?

Let’s dive into our text and see what’s happening as the HISTORY of God’s people unfolds right before our eyes.

In Joshua Chapter 1:

following right on the heels of Moses’ death, we got to listen in as God began speaking to Joshua

God told JOSHUA His Purpose, Gave them Great Promises to lead them with His Word (1-9)

Joshua called the people to ACTION, UNITY, AND COURAGE!

The officers have passed through the camp to inform the people to prepare - in 3 days they were going to cross the Jordan River.

Joshua faces a HUGE CHALLENGE

For context, the Israelites are still in (pr. Sheet-eem).

this is a place where they had given themselves to idolatry

this is a place where they were engaged with a false god named Baal of Peor and they were mixed up with its Moabite worshipers (Numbers 25:1ff.),

Joshua knows that Jericho is just across the Jordan River.

It’s in central Palestine.

It is walled. It is well-defended. A formidable enemy.

It is in the way - it is blocking Israel’s getting to the promised land.

He knows this; but HE HAS NO STRATEGY TO TAKE THIS CITY!

He has a PROMISE FOR GOD

BUT NO INSTRUCTIONS as to how to defeat Jericho.

So, like the good general he is in process of becoming, he will do AS MOSES DID - He will send out spies. Just 2 this time.

THIS IS WISDOM.

THIS IS RISK.

THIS SHOWS…REMARKABLE COURAGE.

JOSHUA 2:1A

Joshua 2:1 ESV

1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.”…

In fact, let’s jot that down as the first headers here of our chapter. I think it will help you see the scene unfold.

1. REMARKABLE COURAGE (1-7; 15-23).

There is REMARKABLE COURAGE on display as people are involved in God’s Work.

It took courage for many of the students from Life Community Church in Jamestown, NC to do something they HAD NOT DONE together yet…for many , this week was a week of “FIRSTS”…

They needed courage as they walked through neighborhoods to pray for more than 200 homes in the University City region on the Mallard Creek side.

They needed courage as they then stood by a table at a public park offering free Bibles and offering to pray to people - hoping to have a Gospel conversation.

They needed courage as they stood with Mission Bible and 19 churches yesterday morning to stand, pray, and worship at one of the darkest places in the Southeast - the busiest abortion center in this region.

Many of you need courage to be the salt and light at the gym, day in and day out - or at the office - on the job - at school - being pushed outside your comfort zone to do the things that we KNOW are right and true.

Joshua is displaying that…but Chapter 2 introduces us to another individual with remarkable courage.

RAHAB.

Joshua 2:1–7 ESV

…And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. 2 And it was told to the king of Jericho, “Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” 3 Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” 6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof. 7 So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out.

Notice the remarkable courage of RAHAB.

When Jericho’s King gets word that spies have entered the city and possibly entered the place where Rahab was…he sends word to her - BRING OUT THE MEN…

Rahab is identified as a PROSTITUTE

Although she is not living under God’s rule…she is still known as a woman with a reputation

in a Pagan town.

This is one of those terrible ways of living in open rebellion to beauty, truth, and God’s better way - even revealed in creation order.

But Rahab’s House was not just for her prostitution. In fact, it was most likely a common house for poor lodgers - a place to stay the night - like a modern-day hostel.

Her house was easily accessible. It was built into the city’s outer wall.

The spies found themselves there - a kind of HUB OF ACTIVITY. This would have been better than social media to get the scoop on what was happening in Jericho.

WHAT A REMARKABLE PLACE TO GO.

WHAT A RISKY PLACE TO BE.

WHAT COURAGE ON THE PART OF THE SPIES.

(V3) So the King’s Word arrives - by some of his officers, no doubt.

BUT RAHAB HAS ALREADY HIDDEN THE MEN. (V4)

SHE TAKES STALKS OF FLAX THAT WERE DRYING ON THE ROOF AND ARRANGES THEM IN SUCH A WAY THAT SHE COVERS THEM! (v6)

SHE COVERS THEM…THEN SHE COVERS FOR THEM (V4)

“YES, THEY WERE HERE!

I DIDN’T KNOW THEM OR WHERE THEY WERE FROM

THEY LEFT AS THE GATE WAS CLOSING

I DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY WENT.

YOU SHOULD HURRY TO CATCH THEM IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THEM.”

BUGGS BUNNY - “THEY WENT THAT-A-WAY!”

So the pursuers leave!

WOW! GOD IS PROTECTING HIS PEOPLE WITH A LYING PROSTITUTE!

WOW! GOD IS USING RAHAB!

Remember, God used Pharaoh as an instrument to bring about the freedom of His people.

THERE IS GREAT COURAGE / REMARKABLE COURAGE HERE ON THE PART OF RAHAB.

If you were to read verses 15-23 YOU SEE REMARKABLE COURAGE CONTINUING…

(15) She lets them down with a rope from the roof.

(16) She tells them how to escape so they won’t be detected by their pursuers

(22) They leave and go into the hills for 3 days and waited out their pursuers who were looking everywhere for them.

(23) The spies get back to Joshua…tell him all that happen…and drop this phrase on him (24)

Joshua 2:24 ESV

24 And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.”

How did we get there?

There are 2 amazing things that happened in the middle that are truly divine.

I believe the courage we’ve seen came from the LORD for Joshua, and the spies…

but what about Rahab’s?

In the text that we read out loud earlier as a church, you may not realize it you were hearing a…

2. REMARKABLE CONFESSION (8-11)

Joshua 2:8–11 ESV

8 Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof 9 and said to the men, “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. 10 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. 11 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.

She says:

(8) I know THE LORD have given you the land

we’re afraid because God is with you

others know that God is with you!

we’re all melting!

Hebrews 12:29 “for our God is a consuming fire.”

“WE HAVE HEARD!” mark that.

(10) THE LORD brought you across the Red Sea

brought you out of Egypt

defeated Kings

destroyed enemies.

(11) AS SOON AS WE HEARD IT - WE WERE AFRAID!

…BECAUSE OF YOU!

(She’s telling 2 men this. She’s telling 2 men that the nations have heard and are afraid because of what they have HEARD about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!)

She continues…

“ THE LORD YOUR GOD, HE IS THE GOD IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE AND ON THE EARTH BENEATH!”

by the way - That’s a key verse for you today…also for our kids. It’s their memory verse they’ll work on for next week.

that’s quite a confession!

WHERE DID SHE GET THIS KIND OF COURAGE, THIS KIND OF CONFESSION?

Romans 10:17 “17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

She BELIEVED what she heard about the Israelites…

which led her to BELIEVE what he heard and learned about their GOD.

She will be saved by faith…just like we were - those who are Christians - following the LORD Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:10 ESV

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

We don’t exactly HOW she heard…but we know THAT she heard. Remember in the Old Testament times, God used various ways to speak to His people and reveal Himself to others.

It’s likely that news traveled of Israel’s AGAINST-ALL-ODDS victories. She heard, she investigated, she believed.

We know that…

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Can I just pickup on that for us today, though?

How will someone HEAR ABOUT THE POWER AND MAJESTY OF OUR GOD or the LOVE OF HIS PEOPLE TODAY?

What is God’s plan?

Romans 10:14–15 ESV

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent?…

This is not JUST the office of the preacher - this is the ACT OF PROCLAIMING / HERALDING.

Jesus said,

Mark 16:15 ESV

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

RAHAB HAD A REMARKABLE COURAGE TO DO WHAT SHE DID WITH THE SPIES…

Why? Because SHE HEARD SOME THINGS…SHE BELIEVED SOME THINGS.

REMARKABLE COURAGE.

FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE HEARD AND BELIEVED…WE HAVE A REMARKABLE CONFESSION TOO.

BUT THE ONLY HOPE THAT RAHAB OR THE SPIES HAD AT “LIFE” WAS A…

3. REMARKABLE COVENANT (12-14, 17-21)

Just like Joshua was going to lead his people to victory and life…

RAHAB WOULD BE THE ONE TO LEAD HER FAMILY TO SAFETY AND LIFE!

**BTW, A Covenant is a strong contract or agreement between 2 parties.**

We read verses 12-14 earlier but look…she says,

Since I spared you

Swear to me by the LORD that gives you strength that you will spare me and my family

The men respond,

We will give our lives for your life.

Don’t tell anyone our plans…and we will deal kindly and faithfully with you!

CRAZY. REMARKABLE.

I’m sorry but it sounds like a really bad joke set up, “A pagan prostitute and 2 Hebrew spies make a covenant…”

But God can take incredibly broken people and make something beautiful out of them.

He can take DRAMATIC “BEFOREs” AND TURN THEM INTO TROPHIES OF GRACE!

That’s what He does - that’s who He is.

You haven’t gone too far…you haven’t said too much…you haven’t outrun the ability and kindness of the LORD to forgive those who call upon His name.

The God of this Bible is the God of the Universe and there is evidence to support that.

He knows every thought you’ve ever had…

…every deed…

…every word…

…and He loves you; He sent Jesus to die for you…

CRAZY…REMARKABLE

Let’s quickly glance at a key detail of this covenant…then we’ll close

Joshua 2:17–19 ESV

17 The men said to her, “We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear. 18 Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household. 19 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.

Use the Scarlet cord that you let us down with

tie it in the window so we can see it

everyone who comes in the doors will be safe

everyone who leaves these doors will do so at their own risk

She replies

Joshua 2:21 ESV

21 And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

REMARKABLE COURAGE…A TRULY REMARKABLE CONFESSION…AND A REMARKABLE COVENANT THAT BRINGS LIFE!

There is a tradition in the church that the scarlet cord represents the blood of Jesus and that this scarlet thread goes all through Scripture, from Abel’s sacrifice to Calvary.

Colin N. Peckham

IT’S LIKE THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB OVER THE DOOR OF THE ISRAELITES DURING PASSOVER - IT BROUGHT LIFE.

CHARLES SPURGEON cries out to our friends who are not Christians yet…He points to a SINGLE THREAD in their life…

631You are hanging over the mouth of hell by a single thread, and that thread is breaking. Only a gasp for breath, only a stopping of the heart for a single moment, and you will be in an eternal world, without God, without hope, without forgiveness. Oh, can you face it?—37.527

Charles Spurgeon

Hmm…do I want the thread of death or the scarlet cord of life?

My way?

Proverbs 16:25 ESV

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Or God’s Way

Psalm 16:11 ESV

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The Bible records that Rahab not only found LIFE…but in the New Testament, she is recorded as being JUSTIFIED BY HER FAITH…AND HER WORKS PROVING THAT SHE HAD BEEN JUSTIFIED!

Not only was this covenant for HER LIFE…

…she would marry Salmon…they would have son named Boaz

…she would have a grandson named OBED

...who was the grandfather of David…

…and in the fulness of time, God would send forth his Son JESUS through this family line…

CRAZY - REMARKABLE!

CONCLUSION

Rahab’s courage resulted in LIFE for others…

How can you demonstrate that kind of remarkable courage this week? To protect someone else that is vulnerable…maybe voiceless.

In the NT, James would point us to widows and orphans for a reason.

TRUE COURAGE brings life to others.

Rahab’s confession resulted in LIFE for herself…

You and I get to demonstrate EVERY DAY that we belong to Jesus…

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Rahab’s remarkable covenant was a part of God’s eternal plan.

Rev 1:5 points us to the fact that God’s people, those who have repented and believed the Gospel - trusting Christ alone for their salvation have been freed from their sins by the blood he shed on Calvary’s cross as the eternal seal for our covenant.

We’re not just getting out of a broken, war-torn situation - escaping the crumbling kingdoms of this world…

WE ARE HIS PEOPLE NOW!

WE WILL RULE AND REIGN WITH HIM FOR ETERNITY!

THAT’S REMARKABLE.

THAT’S AN ETERNAL COVENANT.

WHO WILL YOU CONFESS HIM TO THIS WEEK?

FOR WHOM WILL YOU HAVE COURAGE THIS WEEK?