Joshua 2 (7)

Read Joshua 2

Reflect.
1.  Review Genesis 12.1-3. Do you see how God had Gentiles in mind to participate in His promises? How does Rahab fit into God’s plan for blessing the nations? 

2.  The story of Rahab shows us the power of God’s works. Being made aware of the works of God can have powerful effects on people, even those who do not believe. Is this still true today? 

Think about it.
We should not underestimate the power of fear as a human affection. While fear can overwhelm and destroy, when properly focused, it can be a source of blessing.

Imagine what it must have been like to be living in Jericho, knowing that the armies of Israel were camped just across the Jordan. The people of Jericho and all Canaan had heard the report, some forty years previous to Joshua 2, of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt (v. 10). More recently, Israel’s destruction of kingdoms on the east side of the Jordan had created a sense of alarm and dread among the inhabitants of Canaan. We note from Rahab’s comments that it was not merely Israel the Canaanites feared, but Israel’s God, working in and through His people (v. 11). 

Rahab was as fearful as everyone else. But her fear led to a different action from that of the king of Jericho. Both had drawn the conclusion that the fate of those nations Israel had already defeated awaited the people of Jericho as well. The king resolved to resist that fate, while Rahab determined to escape it. By hiding the spies, she hoped to find favor with the armies of Israel. The focus of her concern was on saving her life and the lives of her family (vv. 12, 13). She does not appear to have been interested in anything more than that, and this is perhaps because she had no idea that anything more than just staying alive might be possible.

She acted out of fear of the LORD, appealing to His servants to spare her life and doing what she could to show good faith toward them and their cause. She reckoned that the God Who destroyed the lives of those who opposed Him might show favor to those who helped His people. There is in her actions a seed of faith, albeit an imperfect one. People often come to saving faith by degrees, in small steps. At some point, Rahab’s faith matured, such that one of God’s own people felt free to take her to himself in marriage (Matt. 1.5). From that union our Lord Jesus was descended.

We must appreciate the courage of these two nameless spies. Their lives were in danger from the moment they entered Canaan. Theirs must have been a harrowing experience. But the fear they felt did not prevent them from fulfilling their mission, and it did not cause them to be so focused on themselves alone that they could not show grace to Rahab. Evidently, they feared God as well – feared failing Him, as had the faithless spies of a previous generation. Fearing God can move us to acts of faith and obedience. It is perhaps, therefore, no wonder that God Himself requires this of us (Deut. 10.12, 13).

Meditate and discuss.
1.  What is the fear of God? Should Christians fear God? How should the fear of God operate in our souls?

2.  Meditate on Deuteronomy 10.12, 13. Can we truly love God if we don’t fear Him? Explain.

3.  How did Rahab and the spies turn the fear of God to good use? From their examples, what can we learn about the fear of God as a stimulus to faith and obedience?

“Though she belonged to a different race and was a harlot, [Rahab] relied solely on their reputation, accepted their religion, abandoned her own beliefs and entrusted herself to strangers. ‘We have heard,’ she said, ‘what things the Lord your God has done to the Egyptians, and fear of you fell on us.’ Accordingly, she made a pact with the spies and sealed it with an oath.” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD)

Lord Jesus, You have commanded us not to be afraid of men, but to fear and obey You. Help me today to…

Pray Psalm 105.
As you pray and sing through this psalm, consider the role that praise, thanksgiving, and recalling God’s mighty works can have in helping you to overcome the fear of men. Think through the coming day, and prepare yourself in prayer to deal with any fear of man you might anticipate.

Psalm 105 (Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Give thanks unto the Lord Most High; call on His Name, before Him cry! 
Make known His deeds in every land; sing praise for all the works of His hand. 

Glory in God, rejoice in heart, all you who seek His holy part. 
Him and His strength and presence seek; His works proclaim, His judgments speak. 

You holy children of Abraham, you chosen ones of Jacob, stand! 
He is our Lord, of wondrous worth; His judgments are in all the earth. 

He will His covenant faithfully guard – His oath, the promise of His Word. 
That which He to our fathers swore, He will perform forevermore!

He brought His people from Egypt alive, and made their joy and song revive. 
He made the nations’ land their own, and all the wealth that they had known. 

To them He granted the promised land, the portion of His gracious hand. 
Though they were few, and wandered far, He kept them close within His heart. 

So let us all in our Savior confide, and in His holy Law abide. 
Let us observe His glorious Word, and praise our sovereign, faithful Lord!

T. M. Moore

The seven lessons in this week’s study in the book of Joshua, and all previous weeks, are available as free downloads by clicking here.

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here.

Not yet a subscriber to our Crosfigell teaching letter? You’re missing a wealth of insight from Scripture and Celtic Christian leaders. Use the pop-up at the website to update your subscriptions today.

Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.