One Canaanite Woman's Crisis of Faith

Joshua 2: Rahab & The Spies

The story of Rahab and the Spies is an amazing historical narrative, whose storyline could easily be turned into a blockbuster drama for the silver screen. I have to wonder if Hollywood producers ever look to the Old Testament for movie storylines and ideas for a plot twist for their next production. If they were to do so, the book of Joshua describes many events that could easily be adapted to fulfill a movie audience’s hopes of being entertained by the suspense, drama and diverse characters who are part of the cast.

Last week we took a walk through the final portion of Joshua chapter 1. This section could have easily been adapted to be a Hallmark Movie or the first episode a new Netflix series.

You know, the command to prepare to go to into the promised land, “you’ve got three days to get ready and then we move out.” and the call for the men of valor for the 2 1/2 tribes to prepare to leave their wives, children and livestock, for the sake of the nation. By changing some of the facts, it could become a love story/drama. Last Sunday however, we stuck to the narrative as it occured and were able to identify some key qualities of a Christlike community. The people of Israel (2 1/2 tribes) demonstrated, Contentment, Caring, Commitment and Courage, all of which are qualities that Christ himself demonstrated while He was in human form on the earth and He certainly continues to demonstrate those attributes today. As little Christ’s we should hope and work toward living out those qualities as well.

This week, we are going to consider One Canaanite Woman’s Crisis of Faith.

The Cast

Joshua- Plays a Cameo role in this episode

The Spies (supporting actors who shall remain nameless)

Rahab- The Canaanite Prostitute (lead female part)

The King of Jericho- (is merely mentioned but doesn’t make an appearance)

The Kings Men- (supporting actors also nameless)

Rahab’s family- not shown in this episode but spoken of

God- certainly a central character, but is also merely mentioned.

The Theme

What one could easily assume from the first chapter of the book of Joshua is that the theme of this book/series is for us to see how God fulfills His promise to the Hebrews, the Israelites, the Jews. Now in chapter 2 there is a definite twist to the plot, which brings additional insight into the theme of the book.

Rahab- plays in the most scenes and has more lines than anyone else

Just like some movie genres such as Thrillers, Dramas, or War films where there are underlying themes or messages that are somewhat difficult to discern, the purpose and message of the story of Rahab and the Spies can be easily overlooked or misunderstood. In reality, God’s intended message from the 2nd chapter of the book of Joshua has far less to do with the human cast and has a far deeper meaning and far greater lessons for us to learn.

Let’s read through the text and then I will attempt to provide some insights that will help us understand that God has given us this story in His Word for a much greater purpose than merely entertaining us.

Joshua 2 ESV

1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” 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. 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. 12 Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign 13 that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” 15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall. 16 And she said to them, “Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way.” 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. 20 But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.” 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. 22 They departed and went into the hills and remained there three days until the pursuers returned, and the pursuers searched all along the way and found nothing. 23 Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them. 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.”

The Story Behind the Story

Yes, there are spies. Yes, there is a Canaanite women, who has a less than innocent lifestyle/occupation. Yes, there is a king who sends his men to find the spies, and we can assume he wasn’t looking for them so he could give them a room in the palace overnight. Yes, there is even the need for a stunt man. I don’t think many well paid Hollywood actors would want to climb out a window and let some dishonest, deceitful, harlot, lower them down to the ground from the roof of her house. They would use a stunt double. Though there are all the elements of a Hollywood thriller/drama, there is a much deeper meaning to this very real historical event that took place thousands of years ago. The more I studied this passage the more I found myself asking questions we either don’t have the answers to at least we don’t find the answers within this text.

SIDE NOTE: It is wise to ask questions about the text, THAT IS HOW WE LEARN AND GROW, but not to the point that we lose sight of the main purpose of the text. I believe we see the main point of this passage in the center of the chapter. Let’s read 2:8-14, which I believe helps us see through the forest of characters and circumstances and focuses our eyes onto the central purpose for this passage.

Joshua 2:8–14 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. 12 Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign 13 that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”

Here we see Rahab giving the spies some very important information. She reveals some interesting facts!

Historical Context

The Parting of the Red Sea

The Defeat of Sihon and Og (there names sound like they could have played a part in Lord of The Rings movie)

Rahab’s Testimony helps us to understand the effects these events was having on inhabitants of the surrounding area. Rahab tells the spies, how unnerving and worrisome these events have been to the people of this region.

“I know 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.”

“our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in them.”

The people of Jericho (and beyond) have been put in a situation where they are concerned about their future. They are left to question their safety and security. They are faced with the possibility of having their lives adversely affected by God or at the very least, in their minds a bunch of people who claim to be God’s children.

A Crisis of Faith

The Wonders of God lead us to make a choice.

Consider the facts of what Rahab has been told about God. This God has produced wind, with enough power that it dried up the Red Sea, so a million and a half people could cross on dry ground, and then moments later the water swept the Egyptians away.

The Choices:

Believe God, Trust Him

Deny Him and Trust in Man

Joshua 2:11 ESV

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.

Rahab’s Crisis of Faith

We should not be bothered when we come to a crisis of faith in our lives or when a crisis of faith occurs in the lives of the people we come into contact with.

Every human has a crisis of faith during their lifetime. Each one looks differently and each one is for a specific purpose.

Isaiah 6 tells of one of a circumstance that caused a “crisis of faith” for the prophet. The particular circumstance, caused him to become a prophet of God.

Jonah had several crises of faith, some he responded to with faith and some he responded with disbelief and lack of trust.

Rahab’s Response

Hiding, Lying, Deception

Receiving, Protecting, Believing

James 2:25 ESV

25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

Hebrews 11:31 ESV

31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

As I mentioned earlier, while I read this passage over and over, I began asking questions about it and I found myself asking, “Why?” a lot.

Why did the spies go to Rahab’s house (she was a prostitute)

Why did she choose to hide them?

How did the king find out about the spies?

Why did Rahab lie?

Why did Rahab get away with lying? (at least it appears that she did.

Why did the spies promise to protect her with their own lives?

Why was her family included in the deal/oath that was made?

We don’t necessarily know the answers to those questions but we do know . . .

God’s Response- Just and Right. . . Always!

God is a God who always does what is Just and Holy, Holy, Righteous and Just. He is a faithful God, who saves those who trust in Him. His timing is always perfect! His plan is always the best plan! He uses an immeasurable amount of circumstances and occasions to accomplish His work and will upon our lives.

What will our response be?

What circumstance is causing you to be in a crisis of faith?

What have you heard about the God of Heaven and Earth?

WARNING: Don’t be critical of this movie writer