A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns

Second, there was an act of dedication on the part of the elders of Israel who represented
the nation of Israel. When confronted with the challenge of taking the land God had promised
them, Israel was eager to dedicate themselves to this unique work of God (w. 10-18). So
committed were they to doing the work of God that they voluntarily formed a “death pact”
among themselves promising Joshua, “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” (v. 18).
Investigate the way of God (2:1-24)
The third step of preparation for total victory was an investigation of conditions in
Jericho by two spies. Perhaps remembering that only two of the twelve spies at Kadesh had
brought back a good report, Joshua was careful to send out only two men whom he could count
on to bring back the information he needed as he prepared to conquer the land. These spies were
charged with gathering information about the land, not with making the decision as to whether
they should enter the land. That decision was already made when they dedicated themselves to
the work of God.
When the spies came to Jericho, they stayed with a harlot named Rahab. Rahab lived
with her father in a home at the wall of the city. Typically, this was usually the poorest region of
the city and the place where people who provided housing for strangers usually lived. Rahab’s
father probably rented rooms in his home to those visiting or passing through Jericho. Tragically,
it appears he also rented out his daughter to interested customers.
From Rahab, the spies learned the people of the land still remembered how God had
delivered Israel from the Egyptians forty years earlier and feared what Israel might do to them.
When the authorities of the city came to arrest the spies, Rahab hid them and lied about their
being there. Though God did not command Rahab to lie, nor does He condone lying, on this
occasion He allowed her lie to protect the spies.
Though Rahab was a member of a condemned race, she had come to some degree of faith
in God. Recognizing this, the spies bound a scarlet line in the window of that home as they left,
promising she and her family would be preserved from the destruction of the city. The color of
that cord is typical of safety through sacrifice (cf. Heb. 9:19-22). When the city was later
conquered, Rahab’s life was spared. “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did
not believe, when she had received the spies with peace” (11:31).
The report of the spies to Joshua was enthusiastic. After telling of their experience and
what they had learned, they concluded, “Truly the Lord has delivered all the land into our hands,
for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us” (Josh. 2:24).
Initiate a walk with God (3:1-5:1)
The next step of preparation for the people was to initiate a step of faith which is the basis
of a successful walk with God. Actually, there were several steps of faith as Israel began walking
with God into the land of Canaan. First, Joshua moved the camp from Acacia Grove to the banks
of the Jordan (3:1). The move was significant because of what the two places involved
represented to the people. Acacia Grove was the place of rebellion, the site of a great moral and
spiritual decline among the people of Israel (cf. Num. 25). The Jordan River was the place of
reconciliation with God. Crossing over the Jordan is typical of our death with Christ, the means
whereby we are reconciled to God (Rom. 6:3-4, 6-11; Eph. 2:5-6; Col. 3:1-3). Even before