Sermon Tone Analysis

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.

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.

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

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

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