God Goes Before His People: Joshua 2

Joshua 2 tells the story of 2 spies sent to Jericho. Whilst there they are hidden from the authorities by a prostyboots named Rahab. But why? well she explains…

“I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

Wow, this lady knew all the things God had done for Israel when they were being faithful. And now here Israel was, soon to be at the gates of Jericho as strong and courageous and faithful as ever and she knew that Jericho’s number was up. It goes to show that when we follow God and do stuff for his glory not only does he go before us but his also his fame is extended… in this case across the Jordan, over city walls and into the hearts of people who would otherwise have paid him no heed.

This really struck me, if what happens in this passage holds for our situation too: Then people will know the Lord by our faith and by what he does for us. I really want to encourage readers to go for it, act with that courage talked about in the last post. Because God will go before us, we’re supposed to be telling people to the very ends of the earth about the gospel and if we really live our lives surrendered to God, living at his command then knowledge of the almighty living God will pierce those we come into contact with. Just like with Rahab who is convinced of the truth that Israel’s God is the only God, people will begin to see the truth of him by our actions of faith and from the evidence of where God takes us.

Image: Rahab’s conveniently city wall adjacent window was perfect for the spies to escape from.

p.s. I also noted in this passage a reverse use of the ‘eye for an eye’ law from Leviticus… that law is about restitution from wrong done to you but here the spies use the same principle in a compassionate and merciful manner. Because she protected them they agree to protect Rahab and her family during the coming invasion stating to her, “Our lives for your lives!” This shows a manner in which the law is applicable in acts of compassion… I think that this is a kind of law doctrine that Jesus’d be really down with.

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