A SPY STORY PT.1 - JOSHUA 2:1-13

In studying the life of Joshua as he led the children of Israel into Canaan to conquer the land,some of the greatest spiritual lessons we can learn revolve around people who crossed his path. Such is the case with Rahab. No woman in all of Scripture stands out more boldly on the pages of Scripture as an object of God’s redeeming grace. In fact, she is mentioned in Hebrews 11 – the Old Testament hall of faith. Such greats as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses are listed there. And all are commended for their faith. And somewhat surprising, here is where we find the name of “Rahab the harlot.” Of her it is said: “By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she welcomed the spies in peace” (Heb. 11:31). (Gene A. Getz, Joshua: Defeat to Victory, pp. 42)

How did a harlot find her way into the Old Testament hall of faith?

Joshua 2 tells us how. The story in Joshua 2 is interesting because it is really two stories woven together into one. On the one hand it is a spy story involving suspense and intrigue – beginning that way and ending that way. On the other hand it is the story of a “shady lady” and her attempt to save her family from the coming judgment of God. In it we are amazed at the depth of her faith given her limited knowledge.


As with any good story there is more than one chapter to it and the story line continues to build as the plot thickens. As we look at this story we will see five chapters unfold with each chapter building the story line.

Chapter 1 – The Commission of the Spies – v.1

Joshua 2:1
1 Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there. NAS

While Joshua had utter confidence in God to lead Israel to victory, as shown in his charge to the people, it did not mean that they would simply lay down their arms and watch God work. Even when God brought down the walls of Jericho in Joshua 6, the people still had to go in and defeat the inhabitants and destroy the city.

To spy out the land was not to doubt God rather it was to fulfill the obligation of a wise military strategist. So here in verse 1 we are first introduced to the spies. There are several things about this spy mission that we need to note…..

Note the number of the spies – “Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men”

Gene Getz comments,

Interestingly, Joshua sent only two spies, perhaps a reflection of his own experience as a spy years earlier when he was sent as one of 12. Only he and Caleb returned with a positive report. The other 10 were negative and infected the whole nation of Israel with pessimistic attitudes, causing them to sin against God. They did not believe that God would enable them to conquer the land. Consequently God made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Joshua was taking no chances this time. He was highly selective! Two would do—two men in whom he had confidence to give him an accurate report of the situation, who would not be intimidated by the enemy’s military strength and their large “fortified cities” (Num. 13:28) (Joshua: Defeat to Victory, pp. 43).

This is a good reminder that we need to be careful when choosing people for ministry service. We want people who are going to be honest but positive.

Note Israel’s current location – “from Shittim”

“Shittim” literally means Acacia Grove. The Acacia Grove was only fourteen miles from Jericho, and seven miles from the Jordan River. It lay in the foothills on the eastern edge of the Jordan Valley and is referred to as Abel Shittim in Numbers 33:49. Abel Shittim means stream of the acacia trees. It was an ideal place for Israel to encamp while waiting for the return of the spies. (Paul Enns, Joshua: Bible Study Commentary, pp. 28)

Note how the spies were sent out – “sent two men as spies
secretly”

Isn’t a spy mission by its very nature supposed to be secret? So, why is it mentioned here and who was this mission to be kept secret from? The answer has to be Israel – Joshua wanted to avoid a situation like he experienced in Numbers 13-14. He wanted to avoid another opportunity for a mass rebellion or a pity party.

Sometimes leaders must be discerning about whom they share their plans with. Information needs to get out to the right way through the right people.

Note where they were to go and what they were to do – “saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho’”

The location of Jericho was strategic; the city had an abundant water supply and it lay in a valley that served as a main entrance into the land. It was the critical first link in conquering the land.

Irving L Jensen says,

Joshua’s special interest in Jericho reveals his wisdom as a military strategist. A study of a topographical map of Canaan discloses the excellent location of Jericho as a bridgehead for all subsequent advances to the west, south, and north. Jericho was located on a large fertile plain at the foot of the Judean hills and at the entrance to one of their passageways. Here also was
ample camping ground for the nonmilitary Israelite hosts while the warriors were off to battle. To the general of the army of Israel, the conquest of Canaan depended on gaining the bridgehead of Jericho (Joshua: Rest-Land Won, pp. 37).

Note where they ended up – “So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there”

There have been several attempts over the years to make Rahab more palatable to Bible students by suggesting that rather than a harlot she was an inn-keeper. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for harlot can mean one who keeps an inn. However, when you look at Rahab in the New Testament it is made clear there that she was a prostitute. Both in Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 the writers use a Greek word that definitely means harlot / prostitute.

Why would these spies lodge in the house of a harlot? Three reasons come to mind,

(1) Because many foreigners lodged in these kinds of places they would attract very little attention.
(2) Because Rahab’s house was located on the wall of the city it would afford them an easy way to escape (v.15).
(3) The providence of God led them there.

Rahab was the only person in Jericho who trusted and believed in the God of Israel.

It’s remarkable how God in His grace uses people we might think could never become His servants. “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:27-29, NKJV). Jesus was the “friend of publicans and sinners” (Luke 7:34), and He wasn’t ashamed to have a former prostitute in His family tree! (Warren Wiersbe, Be Strong, pp. 36)

Rahab evidenced her faith by taking-in these men and then later assisting them in fleeing from their pursuers.

Chapter 2 – The Concealment of the Spies – v.2-7
Joshua 2:2
2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, "Behold, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land." NAS

It would seem likely that the King of Jericho was aware that Israel was encamped only 14 miles from his city. And it is even more likely that he had his own spies watching the encampment. When he heard that two men from Israel had entered his city, he naturally became concerned.

FYI – Kings and City-States

Like other Canaanite kings this king was the ruler of a city-state not an extensive land area. These kind of independent city-states were common at that time and it was this individualism and lack of political unity that would bring about or hasten the fall of Canaan to Israel.

Joshua 2:3-4a
3 And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land." 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, NAS

The king’s spies informed him that the Israeli spies had gone into the house of Rahab the harlot. In turn, he sent his representatives to Rahab’s house to demand that she turn over the Israeli spies. However, in a bold act of faith Rahab had taken the men to her roof and hidden them under stalks of flax.

Joshua 2:4b-7
and she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And it came about when it was time to shut the gate, at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them." 6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. 7 So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate. NAS

What Rahab says in response to the king’s request has sparked a great deal of debate among Bible scholars because of the ethical issues that it raises. There can be no debate about the fact that she lied and that she lied to protect the spies. What we end up having is a conflict between absolute principles, the principle of saving innocent lives and the principle of not lying. Was her lie justified because she was trying to save their lives? In this case does the end justify the means?

There have been many different answers to those questions. As much as I would love to spend the time discussing all of the various views concerning Rahab’s lie I will have to settle for a brief summary of the issues with the following points (David M. Howard has an excellent discussion of the issues in his excursus on Rahab’s lie in his commentary on Joshua pp. 106-112).

First, both the Old and New Testaments condemn the act of lying (Exodus 20:16; 23:1; Eph. 4:25). Lying is always considered a sin in Scripture.

Proverbs 12:22
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.NAS

Second, remember that Rahab had grown up in a pagan culture where lying, cheating and all kinds of immorality were apart of her everyday culture. This is not to say that lying was acceptable in her case but it simply means that Rahab was acting according to the light that she had.

Third, Rahab is commended in the New Testament for her faith, not for her act of lying. In Hebrews she is commended for receiving the spies with peace (11:31). In James she is commended for receiving the messengers and assisting them in getting out of the city (2:25).
Rahab was saved in spite of her lie, not because of it.

As Irving L. Jensen says,

The commendation of Rahab’s words…..is not a commendation of the lie which she adopted in the weakness of her flesh (and not beyond the scope of God’s forgiveness), but of the selfless act of doing something to help God’s cause in defiance of her own national ties (Joshua: Rest-Land Won, pp. 38).

Fourth, God is omnipotent and He could have protected the spies even if Rahab had told the truth. The events recorded in Daniel 3:17-18 prove this point.

Fifth, when in a situation where there appears to be a conflict in biblical principles there will undoubtedly be a third way so that we can avoid sinning

1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. NAS

In Romans 3:7-8 Paul rejects the “ends justifies the means argument.”

7 But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come"? Their condemnation is just. NAS

So in Rahab’s case, she should not have lied but instead trusted God to provide her with another way to protect the spies without sinning.

David M. Howard summarizes his thoughts this way,

Thus, in evaluating Rahab, we must render a mixed verdict, one that condemns her lie and momentary lack of trust in God, but one that commends her faith, both in deed and in word. As Calvin stated, “those who hold what is called a dutiful lie to be altogether excusable, do not sufficiently consider how precious truth is in the sight of God. Therefore, although our purpose be to assist our brethren, to consult for their safety and relieve them, it never can be lawful to lie, because that cannot be right which is contrary to the nature of God. And God is truth. And still the act of Rahab is not devoid of the praise of virtue, although it is not spotlessly pure. For it often happens that while the saints study to hold the right path, they deviate into circuitous courses (Joshua: NAC, pp. 112).

Now, we must keep the focus of the passage on Rahab’s faith not on her lie. As Dale Ralph Davis says,

It is tragic when people snag their pants on the nail of Rahab’s lie, quibble endlessly about the matter and never get around to hearing Rahab’s truth. (No Falling Words, pp. 26)

Chapter 3 – The Confession of Rahab’s Faith – v.8-14
It is evident by what Rahab is about to say that she had already put her faith in God (even before the Israeli spies arrived). After sending the King’s men away she goes up to the roof of her house and makes a great confession that gives insight into what brought her to a place of faith in God.

Joshua 2:8-9a
8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men, NAS

Note the phrase “I know” it speaks of a settled conviction. In her confession she reveals a settled conviction about four things.

(1) She was convinced of God’s purposes – v.9b

"I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. NAS

One of the great purposes of the Exodus had been to make God’s plans for Israel known to all (Exodus 15:14-17; Deut. 2:25). Not only was Rahab way ahead of the rest of the Canaanites in figuring this out but as Gene Getz says,

In many respects Rahab was already way ahead of many of the children of Israel. Their light was far greater. They had experientially seen miracle after miracle; wheras Rahab had only heard about them. The children of Israel had received the law of God by means of direct revelation to Moses; whereas Rahab had only heard indirectly about God’s will. Even with all this light, Israel turned their backs on God again and again, indulging in horrible sins. It appears that God was giving greater attention to Rahab’s faith. Why? Because she was more faithful to the light she had—dim as it was. Compared to Israel, her faith was greater. And she proved it by risking her life for the people of God. In this case, God looked beyond her human weakness and saw where she was coming from, and where she was heading (Joshua: Defeat to Victory, pp. 45).

(2) She was convinced of God’s power – v.10-11a

Joshua 2:10-12
10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And when we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; NAS

In revealing her conviction about God’s power she cited two particular events that she and the other Canaanites had heard about. (1) The drying up of the Red Sea – v.10a (Exodus 14:21-31). (2) The Victory over the two Amorite Kings Sihon and Og – v.10b (Numbers 21:21-35) *Note the phrase “whom you utterly destroyed.”

When the residents of Jericho heard about the defeat of the Amorite Kings, their “hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you.”

(3) She was convinced of God’s Sovereignty – v.11b

“for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”

This is an amazing statement from a pagan woman! Her faith was not in some generic god, but in a specific God. She used the term LORD (yhwh) Jehovah, the “I AM” of Exodus 3:14-15.

According to Wiersbe, in her statement she acknowledged that,

She believed in one God, not in a multitude of gods that populated the heathen temples. She believed He was a personal God (“Your God”) who would work on behalf of those who trusted Him. She believed He was the God of Israel, who would give the land to His people. This God whom she trusted was not limited to one nation or one land, but was the God of heaven and earth. Rahab believed in a great and awesome God! (Be Strong, pp. 39)

(4) She was convinced of God’s Mercy – v.12-13

12 Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's household, and give me a pledge of truth, 13 and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death. "
Genuine faith never rests in the conviction of the reality of God but presses on to take refuge in the mercy of God. What is so interesting about Rahab’s confession of faith is that throughout she uses plural terms “we”, “our”, and “us.” This indicates that the King of Jericho and others knew all that she knew, but she was the only one who turned to the God of Israel for mercy. The light that she was given drove her to beg for mercy. The light that the others were given drove them into stubborn rebellion and eternal destruction. The writer of Hebrews touches on this truth (Hebrews 11:31).

31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. NAS

Such is the case with those who hear and do not believe. They are disobedient to the light of the truth.

Rahab’s conversion was truly an act of God’s grace. Like all citizens of Canaan, Rahab was under condemnation and destined to die. God commanded the Jews to “utterly destroy them” and show them no mercy (Deut. 7:1-3). Rahab was a Gentile, outside the covenant of mercies shown to Israel (Eph. 2:11-13). She didn’t deserve to be saved, but God had mercy on her. If ever a sinner experienced Ephesians 2:1-10, it was Rahab! (Be Strong pp. 40)

As Gentiles, we too were once as Rahab was, yet God’s mercy found us as well. Aren’t you thankful for God’s grace?

3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7 NAS