Joshua Sends Men to Spy Jericho

Joshua 2:1-24

INTRODUCTION: The story of Rahab gives a wonderful type and illustration of salvation. Not only is she a Gentile and a woman, but she is also a despised harlot (prostitute). The token of her deliverance is a scarlet thread; a beautiful picture of the blood of Jesus Christ. She is taken from these depths and raised to the greatest of heights by being included in the line of Christ and recorded in the chapter of faith (Hebrews 11). If God could save Rahab, He can certainly save you and those you know.

I. RAHAB PROTECTS THE SPIES (2:1-7)

A. Joshua Sends the Spies to Jericho (v.1)

B. The King of Jericho Seeks the Spies (v.2-3)

C. Rahab Hides the Spies on Her Roof (v.4-6)

Notes on a Roof in Bible Times

1. Construction

a. They were flat

b. Beams of wood were laid across the house from wall to wall

c. These were covered with a mat of reeds or thorn bushes

d. The mat was covered with a coating of clay or earth

e. Sand and pebbles were scattered over this

f. A stone roller was used to make it smooth and water-resistant

2. The Jews were commanded to build a low wall or battlement around the roof for safety (Deut.22:8)

3. In the rainy season, grass would often grow on the roofs (Ps.129:6; Isa.37:27)

4. Leaky roofs were common (Prov.19:13; 27:15)

5. Thieves would sometimes dig through the roof (Job 24:16)

6. Uses of the roof

a. A place to sleep (1Sam.9:26)

b. A place for storage (Josh.2:6)

c. A place to be in times of excitement (Isa.22:1-2)

d. A place of public proclamations (Mt.10:27; Lk.12:3)

e. A place of worship and prayer (Zeph.1:5; Acts 10:9)

f. A way to escape (Mt.24:17; Lk.17:31; Isa.5:8)

D. The Men of Jericho Pursue the Spies (v.7)

II. RAHAB BARTERS FOR HER LIFE (2:8-14)

A. She Tells the Spies of Terror in the Land (v.8-11)

B. She Seeks of the Spies a Token of Deliverance (v.12-13; Psalm 86:17)

Notes on Tokens in the Bible

q Meaning

o Similar to signs (Psalm 135:9)

o Whereas signs usually confirm the authority of a messenger and help to confirm the message, tokens tend to point to a particular truth

o Whereas signs are usually miraculous, tokens are usually not

o The words token and tokens occur 21 times in the Bible

q Examples

o The rainbow was a token that God would never destroy the earth by water again (Genesis 9:12-13, 17)

o Circumcision was a token of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:11)

o The safe return of Moses to Mount Horeb was a token that God was with him (Exodus 3:12)

o The Passover blood on the door posts of the Israelites was a token of God’s protection of them (Exodus 12:13)

o Aaron’s rod that budded was a token of him being God’s choice as High Priest (Numbers 17:10)

o The kiss of Judas was a token of the identity of Jesus (Mark 14:44)

o Paul’s final salutation in his own handwriting was a token that the epistle was written by him (2 Thessalonians 3:17)

C. The Spies Agree to Spare Her and Her Family (v.14)

III. RAHAB SENDS THE SPIES ON THEIR WAY (2:15-21)

A. She Helps the Spies Escape (v.15-16)

B. She is Given the Token of the Scarlet Thread (v.17-18)

C. The Spies Give the Condition of the Oath (v.19-21)

IV. THE SPIES RETURN TO JOSHUA (2:22-24)

A. They Escape From Their Pursuers (v.22)

B. They Bring Their Report to Joshua (v.23-24)

OUTLINE: RAHAB – FROM HARLOTRY TO THE HALL OF FAITH

I. RAHAB LIVED A LIFE OF SIN (Joshua 2:1); a harlot was a prostitute (Genesis 38:24; Proverbs 7:10; Jeremiah 3:1; Luke 15:30; 1 Corinthians 6:15-16)

II. RAHAB LIVED IN THE PLACE OF JUDGMENT (Joshua 2:15; 6:20); a lost person is already condemned (John 3:18, 36)

III. RAHAB FEARED THE JUDGMENT OF GOD (Joshua 2:8-10); we should do the same (Hebrews 10:26-31)

IV. RAHAB SOUGHT DELIVERANCE FROM JUDGMENT (Joshua 2:12-13); God has provided a way of escape for sinners (1 Peter 2:24; 3:18)

V. RAHAB RECEIVED THE PROMISE OF DELIVERANCE (Joshua 2:14-19)

A. She Displayed the Scarlet Thread (v.21); a picture of the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18-19)

B. She and Her Family Remained in the House (v.18-19); just as Noah and his family stayed in the ark (Genesis 7:1, 15-16)

VI. RAHAB AND HER FAMILY WERE DELIVERED (Joshua 6:20-23); wherever you go, you will take someone with you (see Acts 16:30-32)

VII. RAHAB BECAME ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD

A. She Dwelt with the People of God (Joshua 6:25; John 1:12)

B. She Married into the Messianic Line (Matthew 1:5); she was David’s great-grandmother, her son Boaz marrying Ruth

C. She Entered into the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11:31)

CONCLUSION: Have you received God’s deliverance from destruction? In other words, are you saved? If you are saved, are you daily thankful for what God has done for you? What a wondrous salvation God hath wrought!

By David F. Reagan

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