Josué 2
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 2
Guzik comments on Joshua's sending out the two men as spies - This kind of careful preparation shows faithfulness, not a lack of faith. God’s promises of success to us should never lull us into inaction. They should spur us on to a step out in godly activity. THOUGHT - Guzik's comment reminds me of the common saving "Let go, Let God." This saying is not Biblical. God's commands and instructs do not call for us to be passive participants. A more accurate phrase is "Let God, Let's go," which links God's sovereignty and man's responsibility, a more accurate saying. See related discussion of "Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible Shittim to Gilgal to Jericho - about 15 miles "Go, view the land, especially Jericho" - Joshua takes charge and issues two commands to the two men to go on a covert reconnaissance mission. Notice in the map above that Jericho was directly west of Israel's camp at Shittim. Although we cannot be dogmatic regarding the distances, Shittim lay approximately 15 miles east of Jericho. Jericho was the walled city which was the key citadel in the Jordan Valley and it commanded the passes into the central highlands (see map of military conquests at top of page), the first area into which Joshua would lead his forces. It follows that clearly this first battle was viewed by Joshua as critical and he wanted to leave no stone unturned! (By the way, that's a pun, cf Joshua 6:20+) As an aside Joshua's actions were not evidence of lack of faith but evidence of good military strategy. In contrast to the 12 spies sent out by Moses, these two were not to spy out the whole land. Joshua already knew what the land looked like (cf Nu 14:7-8+) Jericho (means "fragrance") is thought to be the oldest city in this part of the world (about 7000 B.C.) and was called the city of palms. THOUGHT - The first step in any military campaign is to know the enemy! This is not unbelief on Joshua's part, but wisdom on his part! The greater the knowledge of the enemy the greater the chance for victory. General George Patton defeated the previously invincible Desert Fox, General Erwin Rommel, in North Africa in World War II. Why was Patton so successful? The simple answer is that Patton had read Rommel's book Infantry Attacks, his classic study of the art of war, in which Rommel analyzed the tactics that lay behind his success. It was first published in 1937, and quickly became a highly regarded military textbook and in fact brought Rommel to the attention of Adolph Hitler. Paul gives similar advice in 2Co 2:11+ (in context of possible unforgiveness) "so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes." It is interesting that some writers suggest the 2 spies were to take measurements of the walls and record details about the defensive battlements of the city, but that seems quite unlikely in view of the fact that God had said He would give them victory. And it would not have been easy to scout out the city defenses without being noticed. The more useful information was the report of the morale of the Canaanites which in fact would be evidence that Jehovah had already begun to prepare the land for Israel's victory. In Dt 1:30 Moes had told the people "The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes." So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there - The spies obey without hesitation, clear evidence that they are "strong and courageous," for they knew this was enemy territory and that they were essentially taking their life in their hands. And remember the Jordan was at flood stage and the current undoubtedly swift which would have called for these men to be strong, able swimmers (it is possible however that they found a ford, a spot on the river where a crossing could have been undertaken - cf Josh 2:7). And notice immediately we see the good hand of Jehovah (in some way) providentially guiding the two spies to the house of a harlot! (What is divine providence?) God had promised to go before Israel and here we see one tangible way He went before them! While their primary purpose was to gather information for military purposes, as subsequent events would demonstrate, they would also prove to be "messengers of mercy," or God's "agents of grace"! Little did they know that this harlot would not only be physically saved but spiritually saved and even enter into the lineage of the Messiah as the mother of Boaz, the great-grandfather of David (Mt 1:5+, cf Heb 11:31+, Jas 2:25+)! The omniscient eye of Yahweh saw one sinner in Jericho that He would save and He used men to bring about her salvation. While some writers feel that Rahab is better described as an innkeeper, virtually every English translation refers to her as a prostitute or harlot. (zanah; Lxx = porne). And think about it for a moment -- what two men entering into a harlot's house arouse much suspicion? It is also interesting that Rahab is the very first person Scripture introduces us to in the Promised Land. Providence of God Not casual coincidence but Supernatural Serendipity! The spies acted quite freely, by their own volition, and yet Ps. 37:23 says The steps of a man are established (ordered) by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Grant - As an aside the language used is carefully chosen by the Spirit of God to give no impression of sexual misconduct on their part. "When Samson visited a harlot for sexual reasons, the language is different from that employed here: “Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her” (Jdg 16:1). The emphasis is upon the harlot, rather than her house. This careful use of language is maintained when the behaviour of the spies is described. They “lodged” in Rahab’s house, with the word indicating that they “rested or lay down” (sakab = put oneself in a reclining position when sleeping - Ge 19:4, Dt 6:7, etc; Septuagint = kataluo = to take up one's quarters, to lodge). This word (sakab) is also used of sexual relations, but only when accompanied by the preposition “with” and the name or designation of another person. The inference that could be drawn from the youth of these men, and their presence in a harlot’s house, is avoided by this discreet use of language." ( What the Bible Teaches - Joshua) THOUGHT - Have you ever considered yourself as God's "messenger of mercy" or "secret agent of grace?" Well, beloved, you are! You have been saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9+), have shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Eph 6:15+) and now have the privilege (cf Eph 2:10+) of bestowing God's the gospel of grace (Acts 20:24+) on a lost sinner in desperate need of God's saving grace. Today is the day of salvation for those who don't know Jesus (2Cor 6:2+). But for us who know the Truth (personified), today is the day we should "Let our speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that we will know how we should respond to each person." (Col 4:6+) Dear disciple of Jesus, may today be the day you are "salty salt" (Mt 5:13+) and "pure light" (Mt 5:14-16+), to those who walk in (spiritual) darkness and need to see a great Light (Jn 8:12), a Light that will shine on them and in their heart (Isa 9:2+) bringing them "the Light of life." (Jn 8:12) Would you consider praying today for filling with the Spirit of Jesus (Eph 5:18+), for He will supernaturally enable the boldness (Acts 4:31+) you need to go to the "Rahab's" in your sphere of influence and bear fruit that will endure throughout eternity (Jn 15:16). "Ask of the Father in Jesus' name that He may give to you" (Jn 15:16b) a "Rahab" to speak to today about Jesus. What the Bible Teaches on the salvation of Rahab - She was plucked from the obscurity of Jericho, a city that would be destroyed and cursed, and brought into a wonderful sphere of blessing. In this she is a picture of the work of the Lord in saving Gentile sinners, as Paul says: “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Eph 2:12). Yet in His grace and mercy, the Lord has brought the gospel to the ears of Gentile sinners throughout the world and “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col 1:13). (What the Bible Teaches - Joshua)
Josué 2
Guzik - Joshua would be a savior for Rahab, but a judge of the rest of Jericho. In the same way Jesus is a Savior for those who trust Him, but a Judge for those who reject Him. Rahab’s destiny was to marry one of the princes of Judah and be found in the lineage of King and David and Jesus Himself. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - It is observable that in this enumeration of her kindred, there is no mention made of a husband. It is most likely that she was a single woman or widow, who obtained an honest livelihood by keeping a house for the entertainment of strangers; and not a woman of ill fame, as some have supposed. The spies sent on this occasion were certainly some of the most confidential persons that Joshua had in his host, and their errand was of the greatest importance; is it then not most likely that they lodged at an inn? Deliver (Septuagint uses exaireo = take out, rescue)(05337) natsal means primarily to deliver, snatch away, pluck out, often by the power of one entity overcoming another. Deliverance from enemies, trouble or death, from the hand or power (Ge 32:11, Hos 2:10). Idols and human might cannot deliver (1 Sa 12:21, Ps 33:16). Uses in Joshua - Jos. 2:13; Jos. 9:26; Jos. 22:31; Jos. 24:10; George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 2 13. That ye will save alive my father and my mother. Heb. חחייתם ha’hayithem, will make or cause to live. On the peculiar import of this word, see Note on ch. 6:25. It will be observed that she makes no mention of her husband, from which it is to be inferred that she was now a widow, or had never been married. In either case, the fact militates altogether against the hypothesis of her being a hostess, for nothing could be more abhorrent from Eastern notions and usages, than a single woman’s following such an occupation, even had the occupation been known among them. But a practical remark of more importance suggests itself in this connexion. The same feelings which warn us to flee the coming wrath and make our own peace with God, will also incite us to do all in our power to promote the salvation of our families and kindred, by bringing them also within the bonds of the covenant. We shall feel that our work is but half done when our own souls are safe. Joshua 2:14 So the men said to her, "Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the LORD gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you." Our life for yours 1Ki 20:39 when the Lord: Jos 6:17,25 Ge 24:49 Nu 10:29-32 Jdg 1:24,25 1Sa 20:8 2Sa 9:1 Pr 18:24 Mt 5:7 Joshua 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE TWO SPIES SWEAR AN OATH So the men said to her, "Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours - The spies are make an oath to death saying "If you die, may we die too!" As the passages below show their oath is conditioned on Rahab keeping two stipulations - (1) she was to hang a scarlet cord so the israelites could identify her (Joshua 2:18) and (2) she was not to disclose any information about their mission. Failure to meet these conditions would annul the oath of the spies. And it shall come about when the LORD gives us the land that we will deal kindly (hesed) and faithfully with you - If she agreed not to report their mission, they would keep the hesed agreement. One wonders how they could have discovered she broke her silence? Note the confidence of the spies who state not "if the Lord gives..." but when (not IF) the LORD gives us the land. Their discovery that the Canaanites were fearful and demoralized would have bolstered their assurance that God would fulfill His promise to Israel. Faith is demonstrated when our IFS become WHENS. What the Bible Teaches - Three elements of the covenant between the spies and Rahab (v. 14) “Our life for yours”. Rahab had already risked her life for theirs and so the undertaking was a reciprocation of her kindness to them. By making this statement they placed their lives as forfeit should anything befall her in the conquest of Canaan. They would protect her, as she had protected them. “If ye utter not this our business”. The covenant was conditional upon Rahab continuing her protection of the spies, which was necessary for them not only to get out of the city, but to escape over Jordan. “And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee”. This third element of the covenant gave her the timescale of her deliverance and entrance into the fold of the children of Israel. She asked for kindness and a true token and the spies now undertake to give her both when they come in conquest. (What the Bible Teaches - Joshua) Kindly (in lovingkindness; Lxx = eleos) (02617) hesed/chesed/heced is the idea of faithful love in action and often in the OT refers to God's lovingkindness expressed in His covenant relationship with Israel (His "loyal love" to His "Wife" Israel [cp Hos 2:18, 19, 20-see note, Is 54:5, Je 31:32] = His "loyalty to covenant"). Faithfully (Lxx = aletheia) (0571) 'emeth from the verb aman = to confirm, support, believe, be faithful) is a feminine noun meaning truth, faithfulness, that which gives complete reliability. It is frequently connected with lovingkindness (Pr 3:3; Hos 4:1, 40:11, 61:7, 69:13, 85:10, 86:14, 89:14, 108:4) and occasionally with other terms such as peace (2Ki 20:19); righteousness (Isa. 48:1); and justice (Ps. 111:7). George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 2 14. Our life for yours. Heb. נפשנו תחתיכם למות naphshënu tahtëkem lâmoth, let our soul be to die instead of you (pl.) That is, we pawn and pledge our lives for the security of yours, and those of your relatives; may our lives be destroyed, if we suffer yours to be injured. This language affords no warrant for those thoughtless imprecations which are often introduced in discourse in order to give more emphasis to the speaker’s promises or declarations. If ye utter not this our business. That is, if neither thou nor any of thy kindred (‘ye’) betray us when we are gone, or divulge this agreement, so that others may avail themselves of its conditions. ‘They that will be conscientious in keeping their promises, will be cautious in making them, and may perhaps insert conditions which others will think frivolous.’ Henry. And it shall be, &c. The preceding clause is properly parenthetical, and these words should be read in immediate connexion with what goes before, translating ‘that’ instead of ‘and’—‘Our life for yours (if ye utter not this our business), that it shall be, when the Lord hath given,’ &c. The present mode of punctuation gives a wrong, or at least an inadequate view of the precise scope of the passage under consideration. Joshua 2:15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall. she let them: 1Sa 19:12-17 Ac 9:25 2Co 11:33 for her house: Jos 6:20 Joshua 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 2 Corinthians 11:32-33+ In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, 33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands. Plan of Ancient Jericho (see note) THE GREAT ESCAPE! Then - Normally then marks progression, but in this context the sequence of events is somewhat difficult to determine. It is possible that at this point she let them down and they then continued the conversation in Joshua 2:16-21. She let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall - Centuries later another Jewish man escaped death the same way for "his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket." (Acts 9:25+) Notice once again the Providence of God in her home being located on the city wall! No accidents in this "redemption story!"
Josué 2
Guzik - There was another purpose at work in sending the spies: to save Rahab. In this, we see the extent God goes to in bringing one woman and her father’s house to salvation—Someone seemingly “impossible” to save.. You may know some that seem “impossible” to save, but God’s hand is not short to save people like Rahab, and He can work in amazing ways to bring salvation. Irving Jensen - An important lesson for Christian living derived from this chapter of Joshua concerns the Christian's knowing the enemy. Trust in God's help for Christlike living does not preclude being forewarned of the tactics of Satan and being alert to this one who goes about seeking whom he may devour, as he works through such destroyers as lust, pride, disobedience, doubt, discouragement, and neglect. Just as the demons despaired in the presence of Jesus, enemies which need to be driven from the Christian's life will melt for fear, and thus be conquerable, when they see God as Lord of the Christian's heart leading His child to victory by faith. It behooves the Christian thus to live daily following God his Lord. (Rest-Land Won -- Everyman's Bible Commentaries) George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 2 24. Do faint because of us. Heb. ‘are melted before our faces.’ From this they drew the assured conclusion, that God was about to deliver the country into their hands. Those that were then deprived of their courage, would soon be deprived of their possessions. ‘Sinners’ frights are sometimes sure presages of their fall.’—Henry. C H