Scripture: Joshua 2:1-24

Aim: To show that God protects His people as they serve Him.

Golden Text: “The Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11b)

Joshua sent two men to the city of Jericho to spy out the conditions there. The men came to Jericho to the house of Rahab the harlot. The report was given that two men were in the city to spy out the city. The authorities were sent to capture the men (vs. 1-2).

I. Rahab hid the men under shocks of flax and deceived the kings men (vs. 3-7). The king of Jericho sent men to find the men and bring them to him (vs. 3). Rahab hid the men on the roof where she was drying bundles of flax (vs. 4). When the men approached Rahab, she admitted that the spies had come to her house but said she did not know where they were from. Not only that, she said, they left the city some time before (vs. 5). The men hurried to pursue them (vs. 7).

II. Rahab confronted the two spies and made an agreement with them (vs. 8-24). First, Rahab related how the Lord had put fear into the hearts of the people. They heard what Israel had done to Egypt and the nations they came through.

Second, she acknowledged that the people were filled with fear for their own safety since Israel had crossed over the Jordan River into the land. She related the actions of the Lord for Israel (vs. 10) and told how the people were paralyzed by fear (vs. 11).

Third, Rahab recognized the Jehovah is the true God (vs. 11). She acknowledged that He is God of heaven and earth. She recognized that God was God above all the idols of her people and the rest of mankind.

Fourth, Rahab asked that she and her family—mother, father, brothers, sisters—might be delivered from the destruction which was to fall upon the city of Jericho (vs. 12-14).

Fifth, the spies agreed and instructed her (vs. 15-21).

Sixth, she must let down a “scarlet cord” from her window (which was on the city wall, vs. 18).

Seventh, she was to bring all her family into her house. Any who went out into the street were left to their own devices and safety (vs. 19).

Eighth, she was warned not to reveal the truth, which she knew to the people and leaders of the city (vs. 20). She agreed to the requirements and let the spies down from her window, over the wall of the city (21).

The spies hid in the mountains for three days. This was time enough for the hunting party to give up and return to the city. The spies then reported to Joshua (vs. 22-24). The visit was a good success. The two men shared their confidence that God was going to deliver the city into the hands of Israel (vs. 24).

The two spies are pictures of faithful men who carried out their responsibility with personal integrity. They took care of the matters to which they were assigned with personal care and dignity. God’s people ought always to act in an honorable way as they seek to do the will of the Lord.

Rahab and her family came to a faith in God. This meant that she now took the side with Israel against her own people and nation. When one becomes a Child of God, his allegiance must be transferred from all else to God, His kingdom, His purposes and His people. There is to be a complete transformation and allegiance made with God.

There is a great need in our nation today for individuals, families, churches and church organizations to repent and turn back to allegiance to God, His will, His Word, and to pleasing Him above all else.

Do you need to make some changes?

Why not do so now?

Become a faithful servant of Jehovah God today.

Howard Tillery is the pastor of New Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Grady County. He lives in Cairo.