# Overview Joshua Chapter 2 recounts the story of #Rahab and the #spies. As #Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, prepares to enter the Promised Land, he sends two spies secretly from #Shittim to scout the land, especially #Jericho. The spies enter Jericho and stay at the house of Rahab, a harlot. The king of Jericho learns of their presence and demands Rahab to bring out the men. However, Rahab hides the spies on her roof and deceives the king's men, claiming the spies have already left the city. This act of protection by Rahab demonstrates her faith in the God of Israel and her recognition of the fear He has instilled in the land. Rahab's actions are pivotal, as they not only preserve the spies but also secure her and her family's future safety. In return for her kindness and protection, the spies promise Rahab that she and her family will be spared during the impending conquest if she ties a scarlet cord in her window as a sign. Rahab's faith is further emphasized by her acknowledgment of #God's sovereignty and the miraculous deeds He performed for the Israelites, such as the drying up of the #RedSea. The chapter concludes with the spies returning to Joshua, reporting that the Lord has indeed given the land into their hands, as all the inhabitants are faint-hearted because of them. This chapter serves as a testament to God’s protection and providence, showcasing the importance of faith and obedience in His divine plan. ## Theological Insights #Joshua Chapter 2 presents several key theological insights that reveal the nature of God’s work among His people and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. 1. **Faith and Redemption of Rahab**: Rahab, a #Canaanite and a #prostitute, becomes an unlikely instrument in God’s plan. Her faith in the God of #Israel is evidenced by her actions in hiding the spies (Joshua 2:9-11). Her acknowledgment of the Lord’s supremacy—"for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath"—demonstrates a profound theological truth: God’s redemptive purposes extend beyond Israel to include Gentiles who express faith (Joshua 2:11). This anticipates the inclusion of the Gentiles in the New Testament, as seen in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1]] where Rahab is listed in the genealogy of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. 2. **God’s Sovereignty and Promise**: The chapter underscores God’s sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises. The fear of the Israelites had already permeated #Jericho, fulfilling God’s promise to give the land to Israel. Rahab’s recognition of God’s past actions—parting the #RedSea and defeating the Amorite kings—demonstrates God's historical acts of salvation, reinforcing that what He promises, He will accomplish (Joshua 2:10). 3. **Covenantal Faithfulness**: The spies' agreement with Rahab highlights the theme of covenantal faithfulness. The scarlet cord Rahab is instructed to hang from her window (Joshua 2:18) serves as a sign of the covenant between her and the spies, echoing the #Passover blood in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 12]], which marked the Israelites for salvation. This imagery of protection and salvation through a sign foreshadows the redemptive work of #Christ, whose blood marks believers for salvation. 4. **Transformation and New Identity**: Rahab’s story is one of transformation. Her faith leads to a new identity, as she and her family are incorporated into God’s people (Joshua 2:12-14). This transformation is significant in biblical theology as it demonstrates the power of faith to change one’s destiny, aligning with the New Testament theme of believers becoming new creations in Christ, as seen in [[2 Corinthians/2 Corinthians Chapter 5]]. 5. **The Fear of the Lord**: The fear and reverence of God by the inhabitants of Jericho (Joshua 2:9-11) remind us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, a theme prevalent in the wisdom literature, particularly in [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 9]]. This fear of God leads to Rahab’s decision to protect the spies, showing that even those outside the covenant community can recognize God’s power and authority. By considering these insights, we see the overarching narrative of God’s redemption and the preparation for Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land, setting the stage for God’s unfolding plan of salvation history. ## Thematic Connections ### Faith and Courage In Joshua 2, #Rahab's actions underscore the theme of faith and courage. Despite being a Canaanite and living in a city destined for destruction, Rahab demonstrates remarkable faith in the God of #Israel. Her acknowledgment of the LORD's sovereignty over heaven and earth parallels the faith of other non-Israelites who recognize God's power, such as [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 5|Naaman]], the Syrian army commander. Rahab’s courage in protecting the spies and her willingness to align herself with the God of Israel anticipates the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan, as seen in the New Testament (e.g., the Roman centurion's faith in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 8|Matthew 8]]). ### Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency This chapter illustrates the interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency. While God has already promised the land to Israel, Rahab’s involvement shows how God uses individuals in the fulfillment of His promises. This mirrors other instances in Scripture, such as [[Esther/Esther Chapter 4|Esther]], where God’s purposes unfold through human actions, emphasizing that God’s plans often involve human participation and decision-making. ### The Fear of the LORD Rahab’s confession that the inhabitants of the land are melting in fear because of the LORD echoes the theme of the fear of the LORD as a precursor to God’s intervention. Her words resonate with the fear and awe experienced by nations surrounding Israel due to God’s mighty acts, as seen in the Song of Moses in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 15|Exodus 15]]. This theme highlights the recognition of God's power by both His people and their enemies. ### Covenant and Promise Rahab's request for a covenant of kindness from the spies reflects the broader biblical theme of covenant and promise. Her plea for the safety of her family is reminiscent of the covenants made with the patriarchs, such as the covenant with [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 9|Noah]] and the promise made to [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Abraham]]. The scarlet cord she uses as a sign of the agreement can be seen as a symbol of redemption and protection, prefiguring the blood of Christ as the ultimate sign of the new covenant in the New Testament. ### Redemption and Inclusion Rahab’s story is a powerful narrative of redemption and inclusion, foreshadowing the broader salvation history that includes Gentiles. Her inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1|Matthew 1]] underscores the theme of God's grace extending beyond the boundaries of Israel. This theme is further developed in the New Testament, where the Gospel message reaches all nations, exemplified by the Apostle Paul's mission to the Gentiles in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 13|Acts 13]]. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### Rahab and the Lineage of Jesus In Joshua 2, the story of #Rahab, a Canaanite woman who assists the Israelite spies, is a significant foreshadowing of the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan. Rahab's faith and actions not only lead to her salvation and that of her family but also secure her place in the genealogy of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], as detailed in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1]]. This inclusion in the lineage of Jesus fulfills the prophetic vision of a Messiah who would be a blessing to all nations and peoples, aligning with the promise to [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Abraham]] that through his offspring, all nations of the earth would be blessed. ### The Scarlet Cord as a Symbol of Salvation The scarlet cord that Rahab uses as a sign for her safety (Joshua 2:18) can be seen as a prophetic symbol pointing to the redemptive blood of #Christ, which offers salvation to all who believe. This act of faith by Rahab prefigures the New Testament concept of salvation through faith, as seen in the writings of [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 11]], where Rahab is commended for her faith. It underscores the theme of redemption and deliverance that is central to the Gospel message. ### The Fall of Jericho as a Prelude to Divine Victory Though the fall of #Jericho is detailed later in [[Joshua/Joshua Chapter 6]], the reconnaissance mission in Joshua 2 sets the stage for this significant event. The destruction of Jericho, a formidable city, prefigures the ultimate victory of God’s kingdom over the powers of the world. This aligns with prophetic visions such as those in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 2]], where God's kingdom is depicted as a stone that crushes all worldly kingdoms. The narrative in Joshua 2 highlights God's sovereignty and the assurance of victory for those who place their trust in Him. ## Verses - **Joshua 2:1** - "Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, 'Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.' So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named #Rahab and stayed there that night." - See the account of the spies in [[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 13]]. - **Joshua 2:2** - "But someone told the king of Jericho, 'Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.'" - **Joshua 2:3** - "So the king of Jericho sent orders to #Rahab: 'Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.'" - **Joshua 2:4** - "Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, 'Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from.'" - **Joshua 2:5** - "'They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.'" - **Joshua 2:6** - "(Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.)" - **Joshua 2:7** - "So the king’s men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. And as soon as the king’s men had left, the gate of Jericho was shut." - **Joshua 2:8** - "Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them." - **Joshua 2:9** - "'I know the LORD has given you this land,' she told them. 'We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror.'" - Reference to the terror of the LORD in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 15]]:16. - **Joshua 2:10** - "'For we have heard how the LORD made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed.'" - Reference the crossing of the Red Sea in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 14]]. - The defeat of Sihon and Og is detailed in [[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 21]]. - **Joshua 2:11** - "'No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.'" - **Joshua 2:12** - "'Now swear to me by the LORD that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that'" - The nature of oaths is discussed in [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 19]]:12. - **Joshua 2:13** - "'when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families.'" - **Joshua 2:14** - "'We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety,' the men agreed. 'If you don’t betray us, we will keep our promise and be kind to you when the LORD gives us the land.'" - **Joshua 2:15** - "Then, since Rahab’s house was built into the town wall, she let them down by a rope through the window." - **Joshua 2:16** - "'Escape to the hill country,' she told them. 'Hide there for three days from the men searching for you. Then, when they have returned, you can go on your way.'" - **Joshua 2:17** - "Before they left, the men told her, 'We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions.'" - **Joshua 2:18** - "'When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house.'" - The significance of the scarlet rope is reminiscent of the Passover in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 12]]. - **Joshua 2:19** - "'If they go out into the street and are killed, it will not be our fault. But if anyone lays a hand on people inside this house, we will accept the responsibility for their death.'" - **Joshua 2:20** - "'If you betray us, however, we are not bound by this oath in any way.'" - **Joshua 2:21** - "'I accept your terms,' she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window." - **Joshua 2:22** - "The spies went up into the hill country and stayed there three days. The men who were chasing them searched everywhere along the road, but they finally returned without success." - **Joshua 2:23** - "Then the two spies came down from the hill country, crossed the Jordan River, and reported to Joshua all that had happened to them." - **Joshua 2:24** - "'The LORD has given us the whole land,' they said, 'for all the people in the land are terrified of us.'" - Fulfillment of the promise in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 2]]:25.