Originally posted 2022-01-16 13:24:21.
Who is Commander Joshua?
Commander Joshua is an ancient Israeli leader who lived many, many years ago. He was the son of a man called Nun.
Joshua became the leader of Israel when Moses died.
Commander Joshua had been Moses’ close assistant. He went everywhere with Moses and saw God. Moses used to send him out to fight wars for Israel. He was brave and best suited to lead the nation into the Promised Land.
God spoke to Joshua after Moses died
After Moses died, the Lord spoke to Joshua and told him to cross over the river Jordan with all of the people. God had taken the people out of slavery in Egypt. He had promised to give them the Land of Canaan to live in with their children.
The Lord told Joshua:
‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give
them.
Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you.
Do not turn from my commandments, either to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.’ – Joshua 1:6-7
Joshua sent two men to spy on the land
Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men on a secret mission. He told them to spy on the land:
“Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’
So the spies obeyed. When they got to Jericho, they took refuge in the house of a woman whose name was Rahab – Joshua 2:1 (NASB)
The people told the King about the two spies
So people who saw them reported the matter to the King of Jericho:
‘Behold, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.’
The king of Jericho sent a message to Rahab:
‘Bring out the men who have come to you, and who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.’
Joshua 2:2-3 (NASB)
Rahab hid the men instead of handing them over
But Rahab had taken the two men and hidden them. She told the messengers,
‘Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.
When it was time to shut the gate at dark, the men went out.
I do not know where they went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.’
Joshua 2:4-5 (NASB)
Rahab hid the men in stalks of flax
Rahab had brought the spies up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had the roof.
Before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said
‘I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us.
I also know all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.
Now therefore, please swear to me by the Lord, that you will show me and my family kindness just as I have shown you kindness. Give me a pledge as a sign.
So the men said to her,
‘if you do not reveal our mission; we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.’
Rahab let the men escape over the wall
Then Rahab let them escape through the window. Since her house was on the city wall, she used a rope and they slid down to the outside.
The spies told Rahab to tie a scarlet thread on that same window. They told her to gather her entire family in her home when they invaded Jericho.
That way, all of her family would be safe.
The spies reported back to Commander Joshua
The two spies reported back to Joshua and said:
‘Surely the Lord has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.’
