Forty days was the period from the resurrection of Jesus to the ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:3). 24They told Joshua, The Lord has handed over the entire land to us. One of the most famous episodes in the biblical conquest of Canaan was the assault on the city of Jericho. Why did God judge the sin of Achan so severely? Secrecy is often seen as wrongand we must guard against justifying wrongdoing. Christianity similarly uses forty to designate important time periods. As soon as the search party had left, they shut the city gate after them. Pay special attention to Jericho.". 1992. Shelby Faith served as a faithful deaconess for many years in the St. Louis, Missouri, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, until her death in 2021. So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there. Macmillan Company. When ten of the twelve spies showed little faith in the negative reports they gave about the land, they were slandering what they believed God had promised them. The midrash identifies the two spies sent by Joshua as Phinehas and Caleb, who disguised themselves as potters, and went about crying: "Pottery here! Joshua 2:1 "And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. After the incident with the 12 spies, Joshua lived through the 40 year wandering period, and was named successor to Moses as instructed by God. The king of 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 . [10], Numbers 14:30; Dummelow, J.R. Cuntas veces se puede cosechar el aceite de Tambin son gregarias, lo que significa que puedes sembrar muchas ms semillas en la maceta de lo que normalmente haras porque les gusta la compaa de los dems. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.". 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. They hid in the mountains for three days until the kings men quit looking for them. Moses asked for an assessment of the geographic features of the land, the strength and numbers of the population, the agricultural potential and actual performance of the land, civic organization (whether their cities were like camps or strongholds), and forestry conditions. She said, I know that your God is God in heaven and on earth. They burned the city with fire, and all that was in it. Even though God had told Moses he would not be able to cross the Jordan and enter the land, God took him to a place where he could look across the river and see the Promised Land before he died. They heard how God had delivered His people from Egypt and dried up the Red Sea so Israel could cross over. The Israelites took spiritual refuge at the ark, where Gods mercy seat was located. They left when it was dark. 8 Before the scouts had lain down, she went up to them on the roof 9 Im really convinced that the LORD has given you the land, she said, because were overwhelmed with fear of you. They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword. Doubleday Publishing Group. 29:29)? protected two Israeli spies from soldiers of the King of Rahab is a good example of a woman who changed. Rahab helped by Receives Two Scouts or Spies. By Gods miraculous power, the walls of Jericho fell and the Israelites took over the city. Her story invites appreciation of the varied backgrounds in the community of faith. All rights reserved. Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, ``Go into the harlot's house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her.". When the spies left Shittim and entered Jericho, Gods protection was with them. God was now sending this generation of His people into the Promised Land, to conquer the inhabitants city by city and to settle there. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! As a prelude to the attack on the city, Joshua sent two spies, who found refuge with the harlot, Rahab, who in turn made a covenant to be spared when the attackers slaughtered her fellow citizens.Even if there really had been an assault on Jericho, this is an improbable story, since the spies provided no information of value, and risked their lives when they were unlikely to do so. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Article URL: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/bible-study/bible-stories/rahab-and-the-two-spies/, Joseph: The Slave Becomes the One Who Saves, Moses: From Pharaohs Palace to the Burning Bush, Gideon, Baal and the Curse of the Midianites, Part 1, Gideon, Baal and the Curse of the Midianites, Part 2, Jehoshaphat and the Choir That Led an Army, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego and the Fiery Furnace, Jesus Enters Jerusalem and Cleans the Temple. Early History of the Spies family. Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof. 4 What does the wall of Jericho symbolize? Spies Sent to Jericho. They said, Bring your family into your home.. The two scouts or spies were Joshua's eyes Joshua 2:1-24 and 6:22-25. She sent them away and left the scarlet cord in the window. It seems she did not understand Gods law about not lying then. Later Rahab married a man named Salmon. Two of the spies Joshua and Caleb did not go along with the majority and tried to convince the Israelites that they could conquer the land: Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." Numbers, 13:30 Charles F. Stanley is the founder of In Touch Ministries, and a New York Times best-selling author. (The rest of this story continues in the Bible story Joshua at Jericho: The Walls Fall Down.). Pay special attention to Jericho. So they went out, came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab, and lodged there. Look over the land. He was chosen as the representative from his tribe, Ephraim, to explore the land of Canaan, and was in agreement with Caleb that the Promised Land could be conquered. What did you learn about Gods right to keep some things hidden and to reveal others (Deut. Dont let us die!. Whose house did the spies go to in Jericho? And the king of Jericho send unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee and the woman to the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were Joshua 2:3-4 (KJV), These are the words of God which were written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God. And they spread a bad report about the land they had explored. [b] 10For we have heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt,(F) and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed(G) across the Jordan. They had a son named Boaz, who married Ruth. All rights reserved. 17-19). Numbers ch.13) and Pinchas (mentioned in Numbers ch.25). But compare her words to the actions she took in protecting the spies and arranging for her family to be saved. It was told the king of Jericho, saying, ``Behold, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land. Joshua secretly sent two spies to scout out the fortified city of Jericho. 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, "Behold, certain men of Israel have come here tonight to search . Jericho. But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." Thats why serving Him requires trust and a heart tuned to His voice. (Joshua 2:1)The king of Jericho heard that men from Israel had come to search out their land. Rahab is mentioned in the Faith Chapter as being a woman of faith (Hebrews 11:31). Joshua: Holman Old Testament Commentary by Kenneth Gangel, Joshua, New American Commentary by David Howard. But if anyone with you in the house should be harmed,[f] his blood will be on our heads. ``The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. God chose Joshua to be Israels new leader. Boaz and Ruth had a son named Obed. Doubleday Publishing Group. They were the only men from their generation permitted to go into the Promised Land after the time of wandering. So Joshua sent both Pinchas and Caleb as the precursors to entering the Land, for it was a group like this that represented the overall intention behind that entrance. All the people we saw there were of great size. They were the only men from their generation permitted to go into the Promised Land after the time of wandering. In Jewish tradition, Joshua is remembered for his bravery, humility, and faithfulness. Joshua had taken over leadership of the Israelites after Moses death. If Joshua was about to storm or assault Jericho, this could have given rise to the story of Rahab helping the Hebrew spies. Who were the two spies sent to Jericho? 2:1 After this, Nuns son Joshua sent two men from the Acacia groves as undercover scouts. Relationships between even those of similar background or lifestyle can eventually falter when faith isnt shared. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. When they got to Jericho they went to the house of the prostitute Rahab and stayed there. ", This was considered a grave sin by God. I beg you, since I have shown you kindness, that you also show kindness to me and my family. Her family has lived in Israel ever since, because she hid the scouts whom Joshua sent to observe Jericho. When the Israelites accepted the false report, they wept over the false belief that God was setting them up for defeat. Rahab found in the Old Testament book Joshua 2:1. They told her, Bring out the men who came to your house. Rahab told the spies, No courage remained in anyone any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth below (v. 11). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them. The king of Jericho was told, "Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land." 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." But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. (Compare to 2 Tim. I dont know where the men went. They said to Joshua, ``Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.". 5 At dusk, when the gate was about to close, the men went out . In Joshua 2:1, the spies took refuge with a prostitute, though they couldnt have known she would follow the God of Israel. To learn about Jericho, Joshua "sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim" (v. 1). As a prelude to the attack on the city, Joshua sent two spies, who found refuge with the harlot, Rahab, who in turn made a covenant to be spared when the attackers slaughtered her fellow citizens. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute [1]named Rahab and stayed there. 2 The king of Jericho was told, "Look! Rahab appears to have been an innkeeper or a harlot. Your presence may be whats needed for someone else to declare faith. Joshua was filled with The Spirit because Moses had laid hands on him. Where did Rahab and salmon live in the Bible? Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. The inhabitants of the land have melted away right in front of us! She said to them, ``Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not happen upon you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. 5 days ago Rahab knew that the King of Jericho would want to hurt the spies so she decided to hide them. Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. The spies set out from Shittima place whose name is Hebrew for the acacia trees of that area. (Rahab was not living the right way at this time, but God was planning to use her for a special purpose.) The men then said, If you tell anyone about us, our agreement will be ended. She agreed. But as was true for the men who snuck into the pagan city of Jericho, wisdom and discernment are still helpful. 5At nightfall, when the gate was about to close, the men went out, and I dont know where they were going. Revised Standard Version (RSV). As a prostitute and a pagan woman, Rahab had very little in common with the Israelite spies. Learn about each of Dr. Stanleys 30 Life Principles in this set of sermons. What were the names of the two spies who went into Jericho. 25 But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, along with her family and everyone who was with her. (C) So she said, Yes, the men did come to me, but I didnt know where they were from. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Rahab was allowed to live peacefully in Israel the rest of her life because she protected the spies. ``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. They returned with a good report that the people in the land were afraid of them and told how helpful Rahab had been. Reputation: Neutral . The king was told, Men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country. So the king of Jericho sent his servants to Rahab. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! The two spies sent by Joshua signified the spiritual (Pinchas) and the physical (Caleb). Secrecy is often seen as wrongand we must guard against justifying wrongdoing. [7], The word "spies" may be an incorrect translation. 19If any one goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we shall be guiltless; but if a hand is laid upon any one who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head. For less than $5/mo. Thus, the phrase "Twelve Scouts" or "Twelve Observers" might be an alternative way of describing the group. She told them to his in the mountains for three days before they return to their people. For 40 years, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, eating quail and manna. Instead, she hid them under . Her faith, in doing this, is commended in Hebrews 11:31 James 2:25.The Jews and many Christians endeavor to show that . 15Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she dwelt in the wall. What was the significance of the Jordan crossing? They both brought back a good report to Joshua. Joshua sent two scouts or spies into the promised land. Rahab went up to the roof to talk with the two men. They went to Joshua son of Nun and reported everything that had happened to them. How do their actions illustrate the balance between faith and discernment? The most Spies families were found in USA in 1880. [9], Rashi, commenting on Numbers 13:25, notes that the journey was shortened by God, as God foresaw their downfall and subsequent proportionate punishment (1 day equaling 1 year). Even to say: "The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us." Welcomed among the Israelites, Rahab later married into the tribe of Judah and was part of Jesus lineage (Josh. So Moses died there. 12 Now therefore, since Ive treated you so kindly, please swear in the name of the LORD that youll also be kind to my fathers household by giving me this sure sign: 13S pare my father, my mother, and my brothers and sisters, along with everyone who belongs with them so we wont be killed., 14 So the men told her, Our life for yourseven to deathif you dont betray this mission of ours. "evil tongue" / "slander" in Hebrew) against the Land of Israel. 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