Study 4 Joshua Chapter 2

In this sermon on Joshua, Chapter 2, Trent explores the nuanced narrative of the spies' encounter with Rahab, emphasizing themes of strategic faithfulness, divine providence, and unexpected grace. By delving into Rahab's courageous hospitality towards Israelite spies and her declaration of faith in God's sovereignty, Trent illuminates the profound faith that transcends cultural and moral boundaries, pointing to God's redemptive plan that inclusively weaves through history to fulfill His purposes. Through a careful analysis of scriptural texts from Joshua, Hebrews, and James, the sermon celebrates Rahab's example of faith in action, encouraging believers to recognize God's working in unexpected places and people, and to live out their faith through concrete, daily actions. This message not only challenges contemporary believers to strategic and discerning engagement in God’s mission but also reassures them of the grace that redeems, calls, and includes all into God’s story, much like Rahab’s inclusion in the genealogy of Christ demonstrates God's unbounded mercy and purpose.

Sermon Outline

Introduction and Prayer: Begins with reflections on the time change and prayer for both present and absent members. Emphasizes the importance of being in God's house and prefaces the study of Joshua Chapter 2 (00:04 - 05:18).

Overview of Joshua's Leadership: Discusses the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua and the responsibilities communicated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This section highlights the community's support for Joshua's leadership as long as he remains faithful to God (02:37 - 03:43).

The Spies Sent to Jericho: Trent explains the strategic move by Joshua to send spies into Jericho secretly, reflecting on the importance of strategy and discretion in leadership. This part dives into the role of spies in the biblical narrative and their significance in God's plan (04:28 - 05:18)

The Role of Rahab: Discusses Rahab's crucial role in the story, emphasizing God's grace and the unexpected choices of God in His plans. This portion underlines Rahab's faith and the broader implications of her actions for the Israelites and herself (40:26 - 44:48).

Reflections on Faith and God's Mission: Trent reflects on the broader mission of God that encompasses more than the immediate story of Rahab and the spies. He discusses the importance of understanding God's wider purposes and the layered complexity of God's plans (15:14 - 16:20).

Rahab's Declaration of Faith: Analyzes Rahab's recognition of God's sovereignty and her bold declaration of faith, drawing parallels with New Testament expressions of faith. This part also explores the concept of justification by faith, using Rahab as a key example (31:35 - 35:43).

Scripture References

Joshua 1:1-18

• Transition of Leadership: The passage marks the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, emphasizing God's continuity in guiding His people. The community's support for Joshua hinges on his adherence to God's commands.

Joshua 2:1-24

• The Spies and Rahab: This section details Joshua sending spies to Jericho and their encounter with Rahab. It emphasizes the strategic planning in God's mission and introduces Rahab's significant faith and role in Israel's story.

Hebrews 11:31

• Rahab's Faith: Highlights Rahab's faith as exemplary, showing her recognition of God's sovereignty. Her actions, driven by faith, positioned her within God's redemptive history, underlining the New Testament principle of being justified by faith.

James 2:25

• Faith Demonstrated by Actions: Reflects on how Rahab's actions, motivated by her faith, served as a testament to her belief in God's power and plan. It showcases the integration of faith and works within the context of God's mission.

Matthew 1:5

• Rahab in Jesus' Genealogy: Points to Rahab's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus, illustrating God's grace and the unexpected ways in which He accomplishes His purposes. It underlines the theme of redemption and God's inclusive plan for humanity.

Reflection Questions

In what areas of your life do you need to apply more strategic planning and seek God's guidance, similar to Joshua's approach with the spies? Reflect on the importance of aligning your personal missions and daily decisions with God's will through prayerful consideration and strategic thinking.

Can you identify a moment when God used an unexpected situation or individual to impact your life significantly? Consider how this has shaped your understanding of God's sovereignty and His ability to work through all circumstances for His glory.

How does Rahab's bold declaration of faith challenge your own expression of belief in God's sovereignty? Think about the ways in which you can more openly recognize and declare God's presence and work in your life, especially in difficult situations.

Reflect on Rahab's inclusion in Jesus' genealogy. What does this tell you about God's grace and the scope of His redemptive plan? Contemplate the inclusivity of God's salvation and how this understanding impacts your view of yourself and others within God's grand narrative.

James 2:25 highlights faith being demonstrated through actions. How does this passage inspire you to live out your faith more actively? Reflect on specific actions or changes you can implement in your daily life to embody your faith more concretely, considering both small and significant acts of obedience.

Word Study

Faith: אמונה (Emunah)

• Definition: Firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, faithfulness.

• Usage in Context: Emunah goes beyond belief in God; it encompasses loyalty and trustworthiness in one's relationship with God. In the context of Rahab's story, her faith (emunah) is demonstrated through her actions to protect the spies, showing her trust in the God of Israel despite the risks involved.

• Reflection: How does understanding emunah as steadfast loyalty and trust in God challenge you to live out your faith more actively in daily life?
  

Redemption: גְּאֻלָּה (Ge'ulah)

• Definition: Redemption, act of redeeming, release.

• Usage in Context: Ge'ulah is used to describe the act of redemption by a kinsman-redeemer, a concept deeply embedded in the culture and law of ancient Israel. This term can be applied to Rahab's story as her actions led to her family's inclusion in the Israelite community, symbolizing a form of redemption. In a broader theological sense, ge'ulah foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ.

• Reflection: Reflect on the concept of ge'ulah in the context of God's saving action in your life. How does this understanding of redemption deepen your appreciation for God's work through Jesus Christ?
  

Grace: חֵן (Chen)

• Definition: Grace, favor, elegance.

• Usage in Context: Chen is often used to describe a gracious or favorable disposition from one person to another, and by extension, from God to humans. Rahab's story exemplifies God's grace as she, a Canaanite prostitute, is shown favor by God, ultimately becoming part of the lineage of Christ.

• Reflection: In light of Rahab's experience of chen, how do you see God's grace at work in your own life, particularly in ways you might not have expected?

Exegesis Opportunities

The Spies' Encounter with Rahab (Joshua 2:1-24)

• Focus: Explore the narrative of the spies Rahab shelters, emphasizing the dynamics of faith, allegiance, and divine providence. An exegesis could examine Rahab's recognition of God’s sovereignty and her act of faith, juxtaposed against the Israelites' espionage mission. This analysis might delve into the theological significance of Rahab's declaration about God, her role in Israel's salvation history, and the ethical dimensions of her actions.
  

• Contemporary Application: Reflect on the implications of Rahab's faith for modern believers, especially regarding recognizing God's work in unexpected places and people. Consider the role of faith-driven actions in the believer's life and how God’s redemptive plan often includes surprising elements and individuals.
  

Rahab's Inclusion in the Genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5)

• Exegetical Focus: This exegesis could explore the significance of Rahab’s inclusion in Jesus' genealogy, considering the broader themes of grace, redemption, and God's inclusivity. An in-depth study might analyze the cultural and theological implications of mentioning Rahab, a Gentile and a woman with a controversial past, in the Messiah's lineage, highlighting God's grace that transcends human boundaries and prejudices.

• Contemporary Application: Discuss how Rahab’s story influences our understanding of God's kingdom, which includes people from diverse backgrounds and life stories. This might lead to reflections on the church's role in embracing diversity and practicing grace in community life.
  

The Concept of Faith Demonstrated through Actions (James 2:25)

• Exegetical Focus: Examine the theological connection between faith and works as exemplified by Rahab's actions. This study could dissect James 2:25 in light of its Old Testament backdrop, probing into the integral relationship between belief and behavior in the life of a believer. The exegesis might also address controversies surrounding faith and works, aiming to harmonize this passage with the broader biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith.

• Contemporary Application: Analyze how the principle of faith manifested through actions applies to contemporary Christian living. Explore practical ways believers can demonstrate their faith in everyday life, in service to others, and in commitment to God’s mission, drawing inspiration from Rahab’s example.

Podcast Transcript

Study 4 Joshua Chapter 2: Trent Evans

⏰Fri, 03/22 11:19AM · 56mins

 00:04

It looks as though we've had several that have fallen victim to the time change this morning, right? So there will be some this morning who may be coming in a little late, do not give them that squinty eye of judgment, they've just made a mistake. 

 00:22

And there will be some, believe it or not, who will wake up this morning and will be discouraged that they missed the opportunity to be in God's house this morning. So we'll pray for our brothers and sisters who are here this morning, we'll pray for our brothers and sisters who are in here this morning, those traveling and such. 

 00:38

But it is good to be in the house of the Lord, right? Hey, and we're in the book of Joshua, no shocker to you guys who have been here over the last few weeks. We're gonna be in chapter two today. Now, as we go through, kind of a clarify, as we go through the study in Joshua and we get into chapter three and so forth, there's gonna be some things I will want to explain next week because I believe as you study through the first three chapters of Joshua, you may be a little vexed in regards to timeline type of situations that just don't seem to jive. 

 01:19

There's maybe some misplacement of days and whatnot and what you're reading doesn't seem, you're having a hard time reconciling the timetable. So, next week we're going to address that briefly as we go on into chapter three because this week, we're actually gonna get through chapter two, an entire chapter this week in Joshua. 

 01:42

And so, we're gonna steal back that hour we lost last night and I'm gonna use it this morning. Right? That's not the case but we are gonna be in Joshua chapter two and we're gonna be reading there in verse one. 

 01:58

Now, one of the things I love about the scripture is that there's the crazy stories. You know what I'm talking about? The candidates that God chooses to use that you and I would not necessarily use. As a matter of fact, if we were writing some of the accounts that we find in the scripture, there's probably some that you and I would just leave out. 

 02:16

You know what I'm talking about? Said, ah, kinda white wash over that and kinda move on. But I think the validity and authenticity of the scripture is proven out by the fact that God includes even ugly situations, ugly circumstances, and even ugly choices, right? 

 02:37

And so, God includes all of that to the benefit of you and I this morning. Well, in chapter one, we know that God had spoken to Joshua and at that moment, there's this transition of power, right? Between leaving the hands of Moses into the hands of Joshua. 

 02:55

He would now feel the sandals of Moses moving forward for this season in the life of Israel. And last week, we had touched on the fact that Moses or Joshua had addressed the Rubenites, the Gattites, and the half tribe of Manasseh regarding their responsibility pertaining to entering the promised land. 

 03:21

There was communication between Joshua and those who were disseminating this information. The leaders come back to Joshua and they express to him their confidence in God through him, as long as he was willing to submit to God and do as Moses did and allow God to use him, they would follow him. 

 03:43

And we kind of dove into that notion or that principle. And so, that's where we're at. Now, Joshua has been told by God that they're going to enter into the promised land and he had told Joshua to get ready. 

 04:00

Now, the one thing you don't find in the scripture is that God gives the days. God never says in that scripture in first chapter that God says in three days. This is something Joshua says to the people. 

 04:11

So, we're operating under the assumption then that this is a revelation by God to Joshua on when to go over. He isn't going to act on his own. When to go over. And that was not privy to you and I reading the scriptures. 

 04:28

And so, what happens in chapter two is a response to God's word to Joshua about getting ready to cross over. The actions that take place in the very first verse of chapter two is Joshua's response. This is part of the getting ready. 

 04:48

Understand that Joshua is a man of warfare. He has this mindset, he's been called, he's been equipped, and he's being directed. So he's gonna take some stances, make some decisions, because what we find in chapter two of Joshua is God's providence and God's sovereignty clashing or coming, locking in lock and step with man's responsibility in the plan of God. 

 05:18

So God has a purpose. You and I have a responsibility in our lives. We know this, right? Our response to God. So let's pray before we jump into this. Father, in Jesus name, we desire this morning to open your word. 

 05:36

Lord, we do not wanna leave people confused. We don't wanna leave people unsure. Father, what we want to do is share your word with a level of clarity that each person who has chosen to be here this morning in Jesus would leave here with a greater understanding of your word and a desire to allow that to transform them. 

 06:01

Lord, I thank you for those that are here this morning. Lord, I pray for those, Lord, who aren't with us this morning, for whatever reason, Lord, that your hand of mercy and grace be upon them, Lord. 

 06:11

Protect those like Ben and Darcy, those that are traveling, Lord, I just pray your hand would be upon them. And I thank you, Lord, for your goodness and your mercy. And I bless my brothers and sisters here at the Driven Church, Lord. 

 06:23

And I ask, oh God, to encourage them, to encourage them this morning, even through the lips of a stammering, stuttering person. Oh God, encourage them this morning through the power of your spirit and the beauty and the richness of your word. 

 06:39

That's in the name of Jesus. We pray and ask these things and the sons and daughters of God said, amen, amen. Joshua chapter two, Joshua chapter two. This is what the scripture says. We're gonna work our way through this. 

 06:55

We're gonna get down to a large portion of the scripture and we're gonna read through that, all right? I'm gonna be a narrator this morning to some degree. So this is what it says. Then Joshua, son of Nun, secretly sent two spies from Shidom. 

 07:11

Some translations will render that Acacia Grove. And it's because the Hebrew word Shidom means Acacia or Acacia trees. So some translations will render that. He sent them from Acacia Grove. This is what Joshua says. 

 07:26

Go look over the land, he said, especially Jericho. So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. Now, some translations will render this and will say something along the lines like this. 

 07:42

And God sent or Joshua sent men to spy. As a matter of fact, in the Hebrew language, it actually uses the word for man and it's the word ish. And it basically translate or would be rendered as a young, vibrant, a man who was in his prime. 

 08:04

And so when other translations will translate that, because of the purpose of the men, that being to spy will just refer to them as Joshua sent spies. No confusion, right? Spies, men who spy. That's what that is, right? 

 08:21

No confusion whatsoever. Okay, he sends these guys and the scripture says that he does this secretly, secretly. One of the very first questions that pops into my mind, because I'm a questioning guy, is why would you send spies into Jericho or into the promised land, including Jericho, secretly? 

 08:44

And the explanation is quite obvious, is it not? Because what Joshua knows is this, that the hearts of men are easily discouraged, and the hearts of men faint easily or melt in fear easily. The last time they had sent spies into the land, they sent 12 spies, and it is openly known amongst the people that spies had been sent out. 

 09:13

So when the spies returned, and two of the spies, that being Joshua and Caleb, have a good report, the people reject that because 10 of the 12 spies have a negative report. So what is Joshua trying to accomplish here? 

 09:28

God has told him to be strong and courageous. The last thing he wants to do as a shepherd amongst Israel is to impart into their hearts discouragement and fear. So he secretly sends these spies across the land and into Jericho to recover, on a, you know, it was basically an information, a recovery -type mission. 

 09:50

You see what I'm saying? And he wants it secret because if the outcome of their mission is negative, only he will know, but guess what it's not going to do? It's not going to stop them. Joshua understands that God had given him the command to be strong and courageous, so regardless of what the report might be, he's going to remain strong and courageous, but he could not count on all the people remaining strong and courageous because the last time they had failed to do so. 

 10:23

So you understand his intentions. His intentions are basically to spare grief, concern, worry, and fear from the people. And you say, ah, man, I'm not sure, I'm not sure if, you know, I like that. Well, you as parents, we do it every day, do we not? 

 10:39

You know where that bill comes in? How are we going to pay that bill? How am I going to deal with this situation? How am I going to deal with that situation? Are all of these conversations you're having with your four and your five and your six and seven -year -old, are you in party? 

 10:53

Are you putting upon your children who are not of the age to be mature enough to handle the difficulties of life? Are you laying upon them all of these responsibilities that you're going to be dealing with? 

 11:03

Of course not. No one's doing that. And Joshua, being a shepherd, almost a father figure, to the nation, is basically saying they're not ready. They don't possess the capacity. They have proven it to deal with a bad report. 

 11:24

So if it's bad, let me bear that. You got that? You with me? So this is what the scripture says. And let me say this even before I go any further. I love the fact that he sends them on this reconnaissance mission because he is a man of war. 

 11:49

He is a leader, a commander, a shepherd, if you will. And he sends them over there because he's wanting to understand what exactly the fortification of the cities may be, what the standing and the condition of the cities may be because God isn't excusing. 

 12:05

God isn't going to do this for you or I. God isn't just going to open things up to us and just give us, give us, give us, give us. When God has endowed us with certain gifts, talents, and resources, God requires us to manage these talents, gifts, resources, right? 

 12:21

And so that's exactly what he's doing. He's called to a specific task, and he's taking the gift and the talents and the resources that God has given him, and he's exercising these talents, gifts and resources. 

 12:33

So he sends these two spies out there and he wants to measure what's taking, the opposition, and you and I need to understand the opposition as well, right? That's the truth. Many times, we think the opposition is one thing we find ourselves fighting against this or warring against that, when in fact, the opposition is something completely different. 

 12:56

As a matter of fact, what does it say in Ephesians 6 .12? You guys know this. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, right? So there's a value in knowing what the opposition is and what the opposition isn't. 

 13:12

That way we can strategize with what God has given us to combat the opposition. You don't wrestle with spiritual things with fleshly weapons. If you don't recognize what the adversary is or what the opposition is, and you think it's a fleshly thing, and you try to war against that, in the flesh you may succeed. 

 13:37

But if it's a spiritual thing and you try to utilize those same weapons of the flesh, man, you're not going to succeed. You with me? So then the scripture says this. So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. 

 13:55

Prosthetist Zalna in the Hebrew, it means an adulterous, someone who commits fornication, someone loose morally. Now I do wanna say, and I want you to understand this, that in that day and that time, man, and I'm just trying to be pragmatic, I'm just trying to get you to see that there were not motels, hotels, chains, this, that, and another. 

 14:19

As a matter of fact, when we know about the house of Rahab, it was actually built into the wall of Jericho, right? And what would typically take place is there would be people inside these cities, inside these villages and whatnot, who would accommodate people traveling in and out of cities. 

 14:36

And part of their accommodation would be bed and breakfast. And the bed had a whole different meaning than what you might think. You understand what I'm talking about? So what happens is they go into this situation and they enter the house of a prostitute named Rahab and they stay there. 

 14:56

Now, that's not where you think men of God would end up going, right? That Joshua would send two men in their prime into a city and they end up staying at the house of a prostitute. But this is where you and I have got to begin to understand some different things. 

 15:14

And that is this, is that God's mission, what God's trying to accomplish is so much more layered than what you and I would ever think or believe it is. Because I don't know if you're like me or not, I'm kind of one of those guys that, I'm a single vision type person. 

 15:31

I have zero peripheral vision pertaining to certain things. You know what I'm talking, I'm just seeing this. And sometimes when I'm looking at God, I'm thinking God is telling me to do something, I'm thinking God's objective is this. 

 15:44

When in fact, God's objective is that. You know what I'm talking, he's doing all this. Man, I think he's reaching here and he's out here in this, out there and the whole time I'm thinking, yeah, I see God, I see God. 

 15:59

And so God in this situation has much more in store for what's taking place than just delivering them into the promised land. You mean God's doing more than that? We're gonna find this out. Now we find out in the very next verse, right? 

 16:20

The very next verse, we find out that the spies attempt to enter into that place in a covert manner has been foiled, right? Foiled. And if you're like me, when you read the scripture, you're like, well, God's trying to send them in to recover, or Joshua is on behalf of God to recover all this information. 

 16:43

Couldn't God have just blinded the eyes of those who saw the spies come in? Could he have just given them this stealth type over cover or this mirage or something that would allow them to slide into their unseen? 

 16:59

Of course he could have, right? But remember the purpose. It wasn't just about the promised land. They needed to be caught. They needed to be spied out, spied on or caught entering in. A choice needed to be brought into the house of Rahab. 

 17:22

Why was a choice needed to be brought into the house of Rahab for Rahab? If they're never caught and the king never comes, is she ever able to make a declaration of faith and make a choice and a decision about who to be? 

 17:34

Is there a choice she would side with, whether it be the king of Jericho or the king of Israel? If she is not or the spies are not reported, that choice never comes to the house of Rahab. But you have to understand that God, while wanting to deliver the children of Israel into the promised land, the peripheral is that God was wanting to redeem one who possessed faith in him, which is exercised in the following verses. 

 18:04

There's a rescue mission for one single harlot in Jericho. You need to tell me that God's eyes are fixed on a single prostitute in a land that is idolatrous, in a land that despises and rejects God, that God would see one person in that land and say, my eyes are on you and I will rescue that person. 

 18:34

That should give you and I this tremendous sense of hope that we're not unseen people, that if he would see a harlot, a prostitute. in a God forsaken city that he could see me in my workplace, in my struggling marriage. 

 19:00

He could see me in the doctor's office. He could see me in the funeral homes. Thank you. And this is what the scripture says. So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab, and they stayed there. 

 19:26

The king of Jericho was told. Man, this thing unfolds fast, man. I mean fast. The king of Jericho was told, look, some of the Isroids have come here tonight. Listen, tonight. I mean, the word gets to the king in a matter of hours. 

 19:45

In a matter of hours. So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab, bring out the men who came to you and entered your house because they have come to spy out the whole land. How could that information reach the king so quickly? 

 20:00

Well, I'm gonna tell you how. God was behind it. That's the simple way, but I can tell you some more pragmatic ways. You have to understand what was taking place here. What does Rahab ultimately tell the spies regarding the land? 

 20:15

You know what she tells them? Man, we know what's been going on. We know how you come out of Egypt. The word has reached us. We know how you destroy the Amorite kings on the eastern side of the Jordan. 

 20:28

Man, we know all of this stuff. We're hearing all this stuff. There's travelers coming in and out of our country, in and out of our walls. They're talking about manna from heaven, because guess what was still being done? 

 20:42

Manna from heaven was still being provided even on the eastern side of the Jordan, some 40 years later after the Exodus. God was faithful. Man, you think, man, it was like a truck stop. Man, caravans or people be going through this region and whatnot, going to Jericho, maybe from Shidom or from some other place, and they would see this huge number of people being fed miraculously. 

 21:07

They would hear all of these stories. They shared those stories inside the walls of Jericho. So he said, okay, Trent, that's the condition. What does that mean? Well, how many of you know what the North American aerospace defense system is? 

 21:20

NORAD, that's what it's called. This is something obviously our government is in control of. And in this, I hope, I hope. Maybe I don't hope, you know. But in this NORAD, in this North American aerospace defense system, there's basically four levels in this. 

 21:44

And they're different levels of alertness, right? DEFCOM 5 basically means things are steady. Good, minimum threat. DEFCOM 1, as you come down in number, it escalates in potential threat. By the time you get to DEFCOM 1, it means nuclear war is imminent, or nuclear war has begun. 

 22:13

Now we've never reached DEFCOM 1. We have reached, we did reach, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, DEFCOM 2. Readiness for nuclear war. Jericho, the king of Jericho, everyone in this city, filled with fear, these cats were on DEFCOM 1. 

 22:37

I mean, they were full alert, man. Full alert. They knew there was something imminent coming. They had already heard. Their hearts were melting with fear, which explains, which explains the fact that her house, that being Rahab the harlot, the prostitute, her house is built into the wall by the gate, she mentions this later, so when they enter into the gate, man, they don't come in one house deep before they're caught. 

 23:11

Have you ever thought about why they were on the outlook or the lookout, because they were on DEFCOM 1? And so the moment they enter into the gate, they slide into the house, and they're caught. And the whole time, they think they're being really defensive and God's like, oh. 

 23:32

You know, I wonder about the pleasure of God, when the unseen thing is beginning to work out in our lives and we have no idea, and it's about to drop into our laps. And that is what is happening right here. 

 23:48

And so, The king says, so the kings of Jericho sent this message to Rahab, bring out the men who came to you and entered your house because they have come to spy out the whole land. They knew their intentions. 

 24:01

They knew it. This was a readiness. Why else? Why else would the king of Jericho have communication with a house prostitute? What sense does that make? Now what if I were to tell you Joe Biden, oh never mind, never mind. 

 24:21

What if the president was communicating with a prostitute in Buffalo, Kentucky regarding national security? How ridiculous and ignorant would that sound? And that is exactly what's taking place right here. 

 24:36

But man, there is such a fervor pitch of anxiety and whatnot that even the king is so alert and so sensitive to the activities that will determine the security of the city that even this little report draws a response from the king. 

 25:00

But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. Now I want you to understand, man, this is happening in minutes, hours. They're sitting over a period of four, five, six, seven, eight, 10 days. This thing is on hyper speed. 

 25:20

But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. That's a lie. At dusk when it was time to close the city gate, they left, lie number two. 

 25:40

I don't know which way they went. Y 'all counting with me? That's three. Go after them quickly, you may catch up with them. You almost feel like you're watching a YouTube video, right? Somebody's being pumped right here, right? 

 25:57

You get this feeling of, right here immediately, deception is at play, right? I think it was Aeschylus, he's a Greek philosopher, who said, in war, the first casualty is truth. Right? Because what we like to do as brothers and sisters in Christ in our condemnation of Rahab, we like to point out these three lies. 

 26:25

But there's a problem in pointing out her three lies. There were someone, two, who were co -conspirators in the deception. They were hiding. They were part of the deception. As a matter of fact, the very idea of spying alludes to the fact that you're being deceptive, right? 

 26:48

That is absolutely true. But all of this was happening for her in this moment, at this time. There was a choice that was set before Rahab, and the choice was quite simple. It wasn't about lying or not lying, and no one's justifying that. 

 27:15

The choice was, who will you side with? The King of Jericho or the King of Israel? That being God, the God of Israel. Who will you side with? And listen, this isn't the first time that God has protected someone who had deceived someone. 

 27:33

Is it? Is it? And I want you to understand, as we read through the book of Joshua, and I said this at the very beginning, this ain't about people. This is about the goodness and the mercy of God. The book of Jericho, or Joshua, and the situation there in Jericho, isn't about us looking at how bad someone was, or how good someone was. 

 27:54

The idea is to look at God, and how merciful, how kind, and how generous with his grace God was. This is God's story. Y 'all remember Abraham? He bent the old truth a little, didn't he? What about Isaac? 

 28:15

Followed right along his father, a deceiver of the King, right? To protect his own life? Jacob, whose very name means deceiver, is the father of Israel, right? Whose name would be changed to Israel? Do you remember the maid, the midwives in Egypt? 

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Remember when Pharaoh comes to the midwives, and he says to them, I want you to kill every male boy at their birth. And the scripture says, that the midwives feared God more than man. They feared God more than Pharaoh than anyone else. 

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So guess what they did? They let the boys live. Guess what else they did? They lied about it. And guess what God did? He blessed them, not for lying, but for fearing him above men and wanting to honor God. 

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And the same thing is playing out right here. Now Rahab was raised in a adulterous, a culture, in a society who didn't have the influence of God nor the word of God. I mean, she had multiple excuses to live outside of the parameters of the law. 

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What excuses do you and I have? We have a relationship with God. We have the law of God. We have the revelation of the scriptures. What excuse do we have that we would not give to Rahab? And yet we possess so much more knowledge and accountability than she would. 

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Before the spies laid down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, I know that the Lord has given you this land. When she says, Lord, she's talked, she uses the name Jehovah, Yahweh. 

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It is the covenant name for God. It's not some generic, you know, shoot from the hip reference to the man upstairs. Man, she identifies God. Jehovah, Yahweh, the God of Israel. She says this, I know that that God has given you this land. 

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She's already made a concession 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. Listen to what she says. 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 Sion and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 

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We've heard about this. I love how the reputation of God proceeds us. May you and I as followers of Jesus never tarnish the name of God that proceeds us. When people hear of the goodness of God, may our lives reflect the authenticity of that and never contradict it. 

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And then she says this. And she makes this declaration. Listen to this. She said, when we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you for the Lord your God. Listen to this declaration. 

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For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. She identifies who God is right there. And do you understand? This is basically, this declaration is the equivalent of what we find in Matthew chapter 16. 

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You remember when Jesus right there and Caesar Philippi, he asked his disciples, who do they say that I am? You remember that? And some say, hey, this guy, that guy, this guy. And then Peter at the end said, you're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God, right? 

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This is the same question that she's answering right here. He's the God of heaven and he's the God of the earth. Y 'all wage Jehovah, your God. Now here's the crazy thing about it. You gotta be really careful when you start reading the scripture cause you're like, okay, God goes in there to save one person. 

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What about everybody else in Jericho? Why did he save them? Legitimate question is not, why didn't he save them? Why didn't he send spies to their house? Because God does know, does he not? He's sovereign. 

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And you know what God knew in her heart? There was faith in her heart. But guess what he knew about everyone else? There wasn't faith, you know why? Because they knew what she knew. Everyone knew their hearts melted. 

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That's what she just sit there and said, did you not realize that? She said, when we heard our hearts, everyone's courage. Everyone in the city knew. But only Rahab had faith and even made a declaration of that said faith. 

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and God sends in the rescue team. This is what the scripture says in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 31, by faith, the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient because of her faith. 

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Now, I heard Tony Evans say this and it's 100% true. There's different types of justification. She's justified right there because of her faith. She hid the spy, she acted on that faith, it made the faith complete, as what the New Testament would say, makes it whole. 

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But there's a justifying faith and then there's a justifying works, right? The Apostle Paul preached the justification of faith, right? In Romans, we all know this. Everyone knows this. If you've been in the kingdom for a dry minute, man, you know this, Romans chapter three, verse 28, for we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law, right? 

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We know this, we quote this, we hang to it because this is a justification that takes us from this earth into heaven through Christ. We are justified by faith. Not debatable. But then James talks about a different justification. 

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He talks about a justification by works. Now, is this contrary? Is he contradicting Paul? He's not. The justification by works is what James says. You see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith only. 

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The justification by faith takes us from earth into heaven. The justification by works brings heaven to us through Christ. And you say, what do you mean by that, Triad? What do you mean? This is what I mean. 

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Listen to this. Listen, Rahab's faith brings her to God. Rahab's actions brings God to her and her family. Listen, many believers who have been justified by faith into a relationship with Jesus that'll one day usher us into heaven have never experienced a justification by works by which heaven is brought to us because we're not willing to trust God to live out whatever that would allow God a platform to show himself in our lives. 

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We've never experienced that. Yes, we've experienced the justification by faith. Yes, we're on our way to heaven, but we never experienced heaven being brought to earth on our behalf. Guess what happens with her? 

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That very thing. Listen. Listen what she says. "'Now then, please swear to me by the Lord "'that you will show kindness to my family "'because I have shown kindness to you.'" You get that? I've acted out of faith. 

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That's what she's saying. I need heaven brought to me. Why does she need heaven brought to her? Listen to what she says. "'Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives "'of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters "'and all who belong to them, "'and that you will save us from death.'" The choice to fear God in this moment more than the fear of man would lead to the salvation of her entire family. 

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And we have to be really honest as followers of Jesus. Am I even giving God a place by which he can exercise his power and his influence to redeem and restore and to work in my life on this earth? Am I doing that? 

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Am I being a part of that? This is what happens. Let me tell you, this is what happens. Her faith brings her to God. She chooses God over the king. And the response of God to Rahab was the salvation of her and her entire family. 

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Her willingness to step out there and to demonstrate faith in the God of Israel. evoked the protection and the care and the provision of the God of Israel over the house of a prostitute in a godless city simply because she was willing to act out of what she knew in her heart to be true in who God was. 

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And this is how I'm going to read this. Our lives for your lives the men assured her. If you don't tell what we are doing we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land. So she let them down by a rope through the window for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. 

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That's America when itself will cover. She said to them go to the hill so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourself there three days until they return and then go on your way. Now the men had said to her this oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless when we enter the land you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down and unless you have brought your father and mother your brothers and all your family into your house if any of them go outside your house into the street their blood will be on their heads obedience. 

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We will not be responsible as for those who are in the house with you their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. But if you tell what we are doing we will be released from the oath you made us swear and she says agree let it be as you say. 

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So she sent them away and they departed and you know what she did? She tied the scarlet cord in the window and I wonder how far they were before she grabbed that scarlet cord and said man let me get this thing in the window. 

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You know what I am talking about man man let me get this thing tied up there and if they look back over their shoulder I want them to see man I am tying this thing up and this is a bright scarlet you know I want them to see it I am not waiting I am getting this done you know why I am getting it done because it is about me my mother my father my brothers my sisters and everyone that belongs to them. 

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You say God was on the mission just to save one person apparently not apparently not you got to get wider you see wider listen. When they left they went into the hills and stayed there three days until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them then the two men started back they went down out of the hills forded the river you understand what that means forded the river it is kind of like a bolt man they would cross the river two people can do this two million can't two people can do this so they forded the river Coast Guard knows what I am talking about talked to Josh after service forded the river and came to Joshua son of nine and told them everything that had happened to them and they said to Joshua listen to this now what about this the Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands and all the people are melting in fear because of us. 

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Now we end chapter two right there but I have to be honest with you when I read that there is a part of me that has to start wondering right about Joshua thinking about maybe forty years and the eighty five people he watched be buried each day thinking what God is doing now God could have done did if only they would have believed this was the report that I gave the people this is what I know what would have been accomplished you know this has to be raising through as much what if so chapter two ends right there but that is not the end of Rahab story right remember the bigger picture man you know what I am talking about the bigger picture did you know Rahab is the first name Gentile to convert to Judaism did you know in chapter six man she is brought into the family of Israel into the community of Israel there she stayed for the remainder of her life do you know that you know she marries a guy named Salmon I do not mean like the fish she marries a guy named Salmon. 

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You know that? He's the father of Bethlehem. Did you know that? And you know what ends up happening? They have a son. Anybody know his name? Well, one person knows his name. They have a son named Boaz. 

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Remember that? Boaz ends up hooking up with this chick in the book of Ruth. You remember that? You remember what Boaz was referred to as? The Kinsmen Redeemer, right? Because he covers her, takes her as his own, marries her. 

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And they have a son. They call him Obed. Obed. I don't know. Old Mickey Bed. That's why I call Clark. Old Mickey Bed. Obed was her son's name. And you know who Obed was? He was the father of a man named Jesse. 

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You know who Jesse was. He was the father of a young man named David. . And in this moment, on this rescue mission, on preparing for the promised land, God sees this one woman who some 30 generations later has a grandson in the town of his ancestors, Bethlehem. 

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And his name is Jesus, the state crusher, right? You see, God sees things somewhat differently, for on the other side of the Jordan, on the east side, everyone from Eve to Sarah, Rebecca to Rachel and so forth and so on, every Jewish woman wanted to be the one to bear the snake crusher. 

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Their dreams would be to fulfill the promise that through them that snake crusher would arrive on the sea, man. And God said, I've chosen a harlot across the river who have to be brought in as a stranger, and I'll have to take the prostitute and convert her to a proselyte that you have to become a Jew, that you have to marry Solomon, and through him the promise is delivered, right? 

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Crazy story, crazy story. Rahab is saved by God, right, through his people, right? And then his people would be saved by God through Rahab's grandson, generations removed. Do you think she even knew about the state crusher? 

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Do you think she even had an idea about those promises? Do you think she even understood the privilege that was being bestowed upon her? Thank you. And yet God chose that, and so I say to you my brothers and sisters in Jesus here at one hundred opposite way at the driven church, man you feel like you're at a work place like Jericho, you feel like your school is like Jericho, sometimes you feel like your home is like Jericho, your relationships are like that of Rahab and those in her peripheral and her sphere of influence, man you feel like you're living that. 

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And I want to encourage you this morning, that God sees beyond those walls, right? He sees you Mark, he sees you, he sees me. He sees me, and he sees each and every one of you. God's plan isn't done, not in the book of Joshua, but God's plan isn't done in your life either. 

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I don't know where you're at. I don't know what's going on in your life. I have no idea. I don't know where you've come from. I don't know the stuff you're carrying. I don't know the choices you've made. 

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I don't know the things you're doing, but is it worse than Rahab? Probably not. If it does, it still don't matter. Koi -chan Boone said, there is no pit so deep that God is not deep or still. So wherever you're at, man, and you think there's distance that's separated you from God, I don't care how deep the pit is, man. 

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It doesn't matter because God is deeper still. I'm gonna close. As in my mind, I visualize the hand of God just reaching over into Jericho. Just pluck her out. Just get her out. But you know what's sad? 

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Is that could have been done for all of Jericho. But they knew what she knew and rejected it. That's what it says in Hebrews. That's what it says in Hebrews. They rejected it. They still continue. You know in Revelation 16, verse 10 and 11, when the fifth bowl of judgment is poured out, you know what the scripture says? 

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That the people that the fifth bowl of judgment was poured out on cursed God and still refused to repent. You say, how could Jericho do that? The same way that that'll be done. That the hearts of men will grow so cold and calloused and resistant to God. 

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That when confronted with the reality of God, they will curse him. And refuse to repent. I don't want you to be that type person, right? We don't wanna be that right. No. So understanding the grace and the mercy of God and the incredible reach he has and his desire to reach into your life wherever you're at, whatever you're doing, whatever's going on, whatever you're experiencing, see? 

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Amen, just say to the Father, and I'm speaking to brothers and sisters in Jesus, just say to the Father, Lord, would you pluck me out? Would you handpick me? Would you rescue me? And if you're gonna do that, Lord, give my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and everyone else, do you realize what she was saying? 

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That's a big ask. Lord, I know you can rescue me, but I don't wanna leave Jericho alone. Rescue them all. And the spies said, hey, if they're in your house under your covering, the scarlet, they too will be saved. 

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Don't stop praying for those that are outside the body of Christ. Don't stop reaching. Don't stop loving. Keep on encouraging. Keep on loving. Keep on praying. And keep on living out your life in a manner in which God can show himself to their benefit as well as yours. 

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Stand with me in Jesus' name. Father, in Jesus' name, we thank you for your service on this morning, Lord, where we've lost an hour of sleep, that though our bodies are tired, and Lord, we're fighting to stay awake, and I'm not even talking physically. 

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Lord, there's times we're fighting to stay awake in our spirits. I thank you, Father, for loving each of us. I thank you, Father, for extending yourself into our lives. I thank you, Father, for being so faithful that if we would just honor your word, Lord, you'll flesh yourself out into our lives, and you'll work, and you'll be, and you'll show yourself. 

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I thank you for my brothers and sisters who are here today and those who aren't, Lord, encourage them. I thank you for the visitors who are here this morning. I bless Scott. I pray that you would encourage him. 

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Whatever you have for him, Lord, I just pray that it would come to fruition in his life, that you'd guide him, direct him, and for the rest of the body here at TDC, Lord, I pray and I ask the very same thing for them, that we would walk in the fullness of who you are and the truth of your word and allow it to change us, allow it to change the way we process things, the way we make decisions, the way we see and value other people. 

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So, Father, we love you, we bless you, and we thank you. Go with us now, Lord. May we ponder the things that you have spoken into our hearts, and we ponder them in our hearts and our minds, apply them where application is warranted and walk in it. 

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We ask these things in the name of Jesus and the sons and daughters of Almighty God, in Jesus' name said, amen. May God bless you.