After leading the nation of Israel through the wilderness for 40 years, Moses died (Deuteronomy 34; Joshua 1:1) and the Lord commanded Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan River into the land God had promised to give to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 12:1-3; Joshua 1:2-3). God describes the borders of this land as the Mediterranean Sea in the west, the Euphrates River in the east, the wilderness to the Nile of Egypt in the south, and Lebanon in the north (1:4). There were probably some natural fears about entering the land, but God said to Joshua, “no man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” (1:5). With God’s continual presence promised (1:5, 9), Joshua would not have to rely on his own strength; however, he would need make sure that he and Israel obeyed the law God had given to Moses (1:6-7). God’s law (Scripture) would need to become a very important part of Joshua’s daily life; in fact, God says to Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (1:8). Joshua’s prosperity and success was dependent on his continued obedience to God’s word.
Following the Lord’s challenge to Joshua (1:2-9), the officers of Israel commanded the people to prepare themselves for crossing over the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land within three days (1:10-11). Joshua also reminded the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh about their promise to assist the rest of the tribes in the conquest of Canaan, even though their territory was east of the Jordan River (1:12-15). The details of their request are documented in Numbers 32. These three tribes residing east of the Jordan responded to Joshua saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage” (1:16-18). These tribes gave their word that they would fight until the rest of the tribes had settled in Canaan.
During these three days of preparation, Joshua sent out two spies to view the land and especially the city of Jericho (2:1a). These two men resided at the house of a prostitute named Rahab because their presence there would not raise suspicions (2:1b); however, the king of Jericho found out that they were there to search out the city and demanded that Rahab bring the spies to him (2:2-3). Rather than turning the spies over to the king, Rahab hid them on the roof (2:6) and told the king’s soldiers that they had already left (2:4-6). The soldiers then pursued the spies (2:7). Although Rahab’s lie was a sin, she was later commended for her faith (see Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25). After the soldiers left, Rahab admitted to the spies that her people were in fear of the Israelites (2:8-10) and even declared her own faith in the God of Israel (2:11). Rahab then requested that her family be spared when Israel conquered Jericho (2:12-13) and the spies promised to preserve her family as long as she did not speak of their mission (2:14); furthermore, when Israel did invade the city, Rahab’s house was to be marked with a scarlet cord and all members of her house were to stay inside during the battle if they wanted to be spared (2:17-20). Rahab agreed to their terms (2:21) and helped them escape down a rope hung out the window of her house, which was built on the city wall (2:15). She also advised them to escape to the mountains for three days before returning to the Israelites (2:16), which they did (2:22-23). The two spies brought back a report to Joshua saying, “Truly the Lord has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us” (2:24). With God fighting for them, Israel would surely win the battle.
Dear God, I desire to have Your continual presence in my life.
