Joshua: A Token Of Grace Series

A Token of Grace!

The Sending of the Spies

CBC Joshua Series #6

Joshua 2:1 - 24

INTRODUCTION:

• Chronologically, the events in chapter two were already completed before the events in chapter 1.

• Joshua had said, Prepare to go in three days.

• These spies were in Jericho three days, so they had already been sent before the orders to march.

I. Their Commission (1A)

Joshua 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho.

• NOTE: The word for spies is nearly the same as the word for blacksmiths and also for deaf and dumb persons. Some Jewish commentators have speculated that they went into the city as traveling smiths, or pretended to be deaf and dumb so as not to have to give answers. (Gill)

A. The Place

1. Of Departure

Abel-shittim. In the plains of Moab, 7 miles from Jericho. Some say 14.

2. Of Destination

From the book of Joshua, we learn a six things about the city of Jericho.

a. It is a sinful city (2:1).

b. It had a sophisticated political organization (It had a king).

c. It was well fortified (It had a gate and walls).

d. It had houses built on its wall. (It had two walls, inner 12’, outer 6’).

e. It had a thriving trade with distant cities (Goodly, Babylonish Garment 7:21).

f. It had an army, perhaps a strong one (6:2)

B. The Plan

1. Selective

• 40 years earlier, Moses chose 12.

• 10 returned with the wrong answer.

• 2 had it right.

• So Joshua will send only 2!

2. Secret

• It sounds ridiculous to say that spies went secretly.

• That would be assumed would it not.

• But they went secretly in reference to the Israelites.

• Joshua will not chance another popular uprising.

• Contrary to popular belief, not everyone needs to know everything.

C. The Purpose

1. Military - View the Land, Find roads, Check the mood of the people, find weaknesses.

2. Mission - To rescue Rahab.

• This was the providential reason.

• A woman and her entire family had come to believe in the God of Israel. She needed encouragement, protection and deliverance! (Getz)

• Joshua was to Rahab as Jesus would be to the woman at the well.

• John 4:4 And he must needs go through Samaria.

II. Their Contact (1B)

[1B] And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

• QUOTE: They did not go in for lust, but for lodging.

• This woman knew two things: 1) The history of Israel, 2) The attitude of the Canaanites.

III. Their Concern (2-3)

[2] And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. [3] And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

A. The King’s Fear

Life as he knows it is about to end. He is frightened for his life.

B. The King’s Facts

• The mission seemed destined to turn sour early on.

• Note the amazing surveillance system the king had in place.

1. He knew that they had entered Rahab’s house.

2. He knew that they were together and had not split up.

3. He knew that they were “sons of Israel.”

4. He knew their exact arrival time – that very night.

5. He knew their purpose – to search out the land.

IV. Their Concealment (4-7)

A. Rahab’s Sin (4-5)

[4] And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: [5] And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.

• She admits that the men have come.

• She denies that she knew their nationality.

• She tells them that they have left.

• She pretends to be interested in their capture (to remove suspicion from herself).

• There is a vast difference between what the Bible reports and what it recommends!

• Prov. 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

• God could have delivered them as he would the three Hebrew children.

• But, we must remember that she had grown up among pagans where it was considered a way of life.

• She was acting on the light that she had.