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CHAPTER 5:
Verse 1: Because this is the season of harvest the river Jordan is overflowing its banks and, thus, the Canaanites believed that Israel would not be able to get to them anytime soon. However, once word reaches them of Israel’s miraculous crossing of the river, the heathen nations are now paralyzed with fear. Verses 2-8: But before Israel can officially begin its military campaign against her enemies, there are three things that must be addressed. The first is a critical issue regarding the disobedience of the first generation that died in the wilderness. In these verses we find out that those who came out of Egypt had been circumcised according to the Abrahamic covenant in obedience to God’s directive. (v.5) However, in the course of their travels to Mount Sinai, and then later in their journey to the border of the promised land, they had failed to circumcise their sons. (v.7) This is another indication of their lack of faith and rebellion against God, especially after the Lord had specifically commanded circumcision in the laws he gave to Moses at Mount Sinai. (v.6) This relates back to the need for sanctification before God as described in the previous chapter. There were many issues of obedience and holiness that remained unresolved from the first generation that needed to be corrected by their children before they could proceed with God’s plan of conquest and settling the promised land. Therefore, as the first order of business after crossing the Jordan, Joshua commands the people to set up camp at Gilgal (v.9-10), and then all the males are circumcised. (v.8) Verses 10-12: The next order of business is the annual observance of the Passover. (v.10) Additionally, there is a note here that God will no longer be providing the daily manna that had sustained the Israelites during their sojourn in the wilderness. (v.11-12) Now that they are in the promised land, there is no need of that particular provision. There is plenty “…of the fruit of the land of Canaan…” for the people to consume as they conquer and settle in their new home. Verses 13-15: And, finally, there is a meeting between Joshua and the captain of the Lord’s host. We can logically conclude from verses 14-15 that this is another preincarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. (Genesis 18:1-2, 32:24, 30, Exodus 23:23, Numbers 22:3, Judges 13:3) In all other places in scripture when a man or woman attempts to worship any supernatural being other than God or Christ, he/she is immediately corrected and ordered to stand. But not so here. In fact, the captain tells Joshua to take off his shoes because the ground on which he is lying prostrate is holy. (Exodus 3:5) The Lord’s appearance here is an indication of Joshua’s and the nation’s obedience to all that God has commanded of them. It’s also a sign for Joshua that God is with His people, and that He will give them the victory in their battle against Jericho. CHAPTER 6: Verses 1-5: The city of Jericho is under lockdown. Whether it’s because of the orders of its king due to the imminent attack by Israel, or because Israel has waged a successful siege campaign against it is not clearly stated in the text. The former is probably the best explanation due to verse 1 of the previous chapter. God now gives His battle plan to Joshua. The nation is to march around the city, led by seven priests bearing the ark of the covenant, one time each day for six days. On the seventh day they are to march around it seven times, after which the priests will sound their trumpets and all the people will give a shout. (v.3-4) The walls of the city will then fall, providing a means for Israel’s army to invade and conquer. (v.5) The story of the conquest of Jericho contains some parallels to the seven years tribulation following the rapture of the New Testament church in the book of Revelation. Here it is seven days leading up to the final judgment, there it is seven years leading up to the battle of Armageddon. Just as Rahab and her household are spared from death here, there will be tribulation saints that are received into heaven during that future apocalypse. Just as it is God’s chosen people here that sound the battle cry as they wage a successful victory, so it will be with us who return to earth for that final battle, led by Christ himself, to conquer Satan and all his host. The rams’ horns that the priests blow are the same ones that are used every year on the day of atonement, which is celebrated in the seventh month. (Leviticus 25:9) Verses 6-14: Joshua assembles the priests and gives the instructions to the people. Verses 9 and 13 refer to the soldiers that march in front of the ark of the covenant and behind it, but this is not because God needs help guarding His ark. This is to protect the ark from any accidental defilement from the Israelites. Joshua also makes a specific point that the people are not to shout – nor even speak or make any sound at all with their voice – until the seventh day when he will give them the signal to do so. (v.10) Joshua and the people rise early each day, forming up ranks and marching around the city once before returning to camp. (v.12, 14) From the Moody Bible commentary: “This sounds like a staggering amount of ground to cover for the Israelite soldiers, but Jericho was only about 350 yards long north to south, and about 180 yards wide east to west.” Notice that verse 11 highlights the fact that “…the ark of the Lord compassed the city, going about it once…”. From start to finish, this whole operation is of God and for His glory alone. The children of Israel are merely messengers and servants carrying out God’s divine plan. For the people of Jericho this sight must have been strange and perhaps even foolish. They must have wondered why their enemy was not attacking directly. Some probably waited with fear and anxiety, knowing what this foreign God had done for His people in Egypt. But, like so many today, they dismissed their fear, trusting instead in their fortified walls and their own strength. They knew judgment was coming, yet they scoffed and refused to believe, even when it was too late to change their fate. Verses 15-16, 20-25: On the morning of the seventh and final day, the Israelites rise at dawn and march around the city seven times. On the seventh lap, after the priests blow the trumpets, Joshua commands the people, “Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.” (v.16) One of the reasons that Jericho was such a mighty and fortified city was because it had been built upon a hill. When all of Israel shouted with triumph the wall of Jericho collapsed outward and down the slope of the hill. This fact has long been vindicated by numerous archeological digs many centuries later in this area. This is yet another indication of the supernatural power of God at work here. It was not necessarily the force of sound that collapsed the wall as much as God bringing it down by His own hand. This is even more remarkable considering that Rahab’s house was directly on the outer wall of the city. (Joshua 2:15) By the laws of physics her home should have been destroyed with the rest of the houses that were built on the wall. But, again, by God’s hand her house was the only portion of the wall left standing. (v.22-23) She, her parents, and the few family members that had believed her report of the coming judgment are safely transported out of Jericho before the army of Israel utterly destroys it and all its people. (v.24-25) The only objects that are spared are certain vessels of brass and iron that are consecrated to the priests for use in the house of God, as well as all the gold and silver. (v.19, 24) Verses 17-19: These are the instructions Joshua had given to the people prior to their seven day march around Jericho. He begins by stating that God has cursed Jericho and all who live there except for Rahab and anyone within her house at the time of the final attack. (v.17) Joshua then warns the people not to touch any of the accursed things of Jericho during the battle. To do so will bring the anger and punishment of God upon the whole camp of Israel. (v.18) (This is, sadly, exactly what happens with Achan whose story is told in the next chapter.) Only the silver, gold, and the vessels of brass and iron are to be taken for the house of the Lord. (v.19) “And ye, in any wise, keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed…” (v.18) That which God has cursed should not be touched by we who are His children, called by His name unto salvation and good works. (Ephesians 2:10) That is what it means to be separated, to no longer walk in the ways of the flesh. For God has cursed the things of this world and the sin of our flesh that manifests itself in the many vices which stem from pride and the love of self. Those things are contrary to the commandments of God. Just as Israel was delivered out of bondage and set apart as God’s chosen people, so are we today called to walk in the way of the Spirit and to not have anything to do with “…the accursed thing…” of the flesh. Verses 26-27: When the battle is over and all of God’s judgment has been successfully carried out against the city and all its people, Joshua makes a proclamation for all to hear. Because God has forever cursed and condemned Jericho, there is also a curse upon anyone who attempts to rebuild it. (v.27) The firstborn and the youngest of whomever defies this divine decree will be taken by God as punishment. This prophecy was fulfilled several generations later during the reign of King Ahab. (1 Kings 16:34) This episode concludes with the statement that the fame of Joshua is spread throughout all of Canaan, which answers Joshua’s question to the captain of the Lord’s host in the previous chapter. (Joshua 5:13) God is clearly on the side of Joshua and all of Israel, and though the text doesn’t say so specifically, it can be logically presumed that Israel’s victory at Jericho causes even more fear in the hearts of her enemies.
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CHAPTER 1:
Verses 1-9: Moses is referred to as “…the servant of the Lord…” (v.1-2), a title that indicates his revered status in both the eyes of God and the nation of Israel. Joshua, by contrast is called Moses’ minister (v.1). But by the end of his life he, too, will have gained that honored status of God’s servant. (Joshua 24:29) God reiterates to Joshua His command for the children of Israel to go into Canaan and conquer all the land. (v.2-5) The dimensions and measurements of the promised land are also repeated here. (Genesis 15:18, Exodus 23:31, Numbers 34:3-12, Deuteronomy 11:24, Joshua 11:23) The same promise which God made to Moses also applies to Joshua: “…I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (v.5) (Exodus 3:12, Deuteronomy 7:24) The exhortation to “…be strong and of a good courage…” (v.6, 9) and “…be thou strong and very courageous…” (v.7) is a recurring theme in the book of Joshua. (Joshua 10:25, 23:6) It was also the last command from Moses to Joshua in the presence of the whole nation. (Deuteronomy 31:7) Here, in verses 6-9, it serves as a bracket for the command of obedience. (v.7-8) The Lord repeats Himself in verse 8, emphasizing the same command He gave to Moses who then passed it on to the whole congregation of Israel. (Deuteronomy 5:32, 17:18-19, 29:9, 31:24, 26, Joshua 8:34, Psalm 1:1) The only path to any blessing of God and any success in this life is complete obedience to God and His word. When God commands Joshua and the Israelites to be strong and a courageous, He is not referring only to physical strength against Israel’s enemies. The Moody Bible Commentary puts it this way: “The root idea is holding firmly to something. It means ‘to be in firm control of one’s faculties.’ Far from the absence of fear, courage holds the energy of fear under control and channels it toward positive ends.” The man of God must practice self discipline and self control in all areas of his life if he is to be a successful warrior and leader of his home, church, and community. The command to “meditate therein day and night” (v.8) appears frequently in the OT with regards to the law of God, especially in the book of Psalms. The man of God must always be thinking of God’s words and His precepts, keeping them in the back of his mind at all times. This will cause him to strive for obedience as he seeks God’s favor and blessing in his life. To always be mindful of God’s commands is to abhor sin and strive for holiness. This is key to the ongoing process of sanctification as we grow in our walk with God. Studying His word and meditating upon day and night – as well as teaching it to our children – is crucial to having a close, personal relationship with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Verses 10-18: Just as Moses was faithful and obedient to pass on God’s commands to the people, so is Joshua. (v.11) The officers that are mentioned in verse 10 are probably the appointed elders of each tribe. Joshua orders the people to make provisions and prepare themselves for crossing the Jordan river. (v.11) He then also reminds the men of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh of their vow to Moses. (v.12-15) The men respond heartily, promising that if any of them renege on this vow, he shall be put to death. (v.16-18) They echo the Lord’s words to Joshua: “…be strong and of good courage.” This current generation of Israelites had learned well the lesson of disobedience that had cost their parents the promised land. Their fathers had not “…hearkened unto Moses in all things…” (v.17) and they’re not going to make the same mistake. CHAPTER 2: The account of Rahab and the two spies from Israel, as well as the fall of Jericho, is probably the most famous story from the book of Joshua and one of the most well known in the OT. The character of Rahab herself and her saving faith in the Lord God of Israel was referenced by James and the author of Hebrews. (Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25) She became the mother of Boaz who later married Ruth who begat Obed, the grandfather of King David. In this manner Rahab, a gentile prostitute, became a key figure in the lineage of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:5) Verse 1: Israel is still camped at Shittim. (Numbers 25:1, Joshua 3:1) Notice the difference here from the last time that spies were sent to scout the promised land. (Numbers 13-14) Joshua sent these “…two men to spy secretly…”, indicating that this was probably not known to anyone in Israel except Joshua himself. He most likely feared a repeat of the previous incident of rebellion and disobedience by this second generation and therefore chose a covert scouting mission rather than a public one. Another possibility for the secret operation was Jericho itself. The previous mission by the twelve spies was for the purpose of scouting the whole promised land, but this one is limited to Jericho specifically as indicated by the fact that Joshua names the city in his directive to the spies. There are some Biblical scholars and theologians who have tried to whitewash Rahab’s true occupation by claiming that she was an innkeeper and that her house was just a hostel. According to the Moody Bible commentary, this effort started with Josephus in the first century and has continued to the present day. But the Biblical text is clear in verse 1. Joshua sent the spies to scout the land, specifically Jericho, and the spies “…came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.” There is no ambiguity in that verse. Two things are clear: 1) the spies come to Rahab for the express purpose of gathering information about Jericho and its defenses, and 2) Rahab is a harlot. In the King James Bible, the word harlot always refers to a prostitute. Therefore, the scripture here is clear: she was not an innkeeper or any other such nonsense. Rahab was an immoral woman who sold her body for sex with many different men. The reason that scholars and historians have tried to downplay this fact or obscure it is because they do not understand – or refuse to accept – that God is capable of saving even the worst of sinners. He accepts the most wicked, the most vile, and the most despicable of us who truly repent and believe, and He uses them for His honor and glory. Time and again throughout history, God has chosen men and women who are the worst of sinners, yet willing to repent and submit to God, to bring about His divine will. Moses is an excellent example of this, as is Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Rahab, Matthew, Paul, and many others. It doesn’t matter if they were merely tax collectors or men who lacked self control or adulterers or harlots. God accepted and used every single one of them to bring about His divine plan for all mankind, and Rahab’s story here in Joshua is a prime example of this. Rahab’s occupation makes her an excellent source of intel on Jericho and its habitants. That’s why the spies go to her. Furthermore, the fact that her house is on the wall suggests her wealth – and possibly her status – among the city’s elite, as is typical for the culture and societies of the ANE at this time. Verses 2-7: When the king of Jericho learns of the presence of the spies from Israel and that they have been to Rahab’s house, he sends his men to fetch them. (v.2-3) But Rahab acts quickly to hide the two spies on the roof of her house by covering them with large stalks of flax. (v.4, 6) She then lies to the king’s men, telling them that the spies have already left the city, and that she doesn’t know where they went. But she encourages the soldiers to go after them, giving the impression that the spies are not far outside the city and the soldiers should be able to easily catch up with them. (v.5) The king’s men believe her, and they depart the city. Frequently in scripture we find spiritual conundrums such as the one in this scene where Rahab lies to protect the men of God. The ninth commandment (Exodus 20:16) clearly forbids lying, yet it seems that God also rewards those who do so in order to carry out His will. (Exodus 1:17-19) The simple truth is that when men and women of faith defy evil men in order to serve God, God rewards him or her. In all the examples in scripture, the believers who lie are doing so because the orders of men are in direct opposition to the will of God. In this case, Rahab is protecting the two Israelite spies from the king who wishes to kill them. The city of Jericho and its people are enemies of God whom the Lord has condemned to death for their pride and disobedience. Rahab is acting out of faith to protect the spies, and therefore her lying is excused. It’s also worth noting that the author of Hebrews is extolling Rahab’s faith, not her specific act of lying. Her faith is what is more important, not her sins. Verses 8-13: After the king’s men depart, Rahab retrieves the spies and then gives a simple yet profound confession of faith. The mighty acts of the God of Israel in His deliverance of His people from their bondage in Egypt has been heard by the people of Canaan. Rahab describes in detail the parting of the Red Sea and the conquest of the kings Sihon and Og, and how this news made the people of Jericho sore afraid and utterly faint of heart. (v.10-11) She then concludes with a simple declaration of truth: “…for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” Rahab’s words reflect her genuine belief and faith in God, and this is why she is saved from the judgment and utter destruction of Jericho. But Rahab doesn’t stop there. She demonstrates even greater faith in God by asking the spies to show her kindness because of her kindness towards them in saving them from the king’s men. (v.12) (1 Samuel 20:14-15, 17) Rahab recognizes her current state and her complete inability to save herself, and she throws herself upon the mercy of the God of Israel whom she has only heard about from the words of others. (v.13) This is the essence of eternal salvation for all believers – past, present, and future until the second coming of Christ. It is this simple, childlike faith that earned Rahab her place in the genealogy of Christ the Messiah as well as the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. Verses 14-21: The spies answer Rahab’s faith with assurance that she and all who are within the walls of her house will be saved from death when Israel launches its attack on Jericho. (v.14) Notice that Rahab’s salvation also depends on her keeping her secret about the spies until the day of judgment. Because she showed them mercy and kindness, she will receive mercy and salvation in return. (Matthew 5:7) After helping the spies to get safely outside the city wall via her window, Rahab instructs them to flee into the nearby mountains to hide for three days until the king’s men have given up their pursuit of them. (v.15-16) There is one further condition for Rahab’s deliverance from the coming judgment: she must hang in her window a scarlet cord. (v.18) The exact reason for this is unclear. Perhaps the men thought it was necessary in order to distinguish which house was Rahab’s after the conquest so that she would not be harmed by Israel’s soldiers. Or perhaps it was merely one more test of her saving faith as it would undoubtedly draw the attention of the king and his men later on. Whatever the case, the color of the cord is a beautiful picture of the salvation of the New Testament believer who is saved by his/her faith the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. The two spies also remind Rahab of the necessity of being inside her house at the time of the battle. (v.18-19) Only those physically inside the house will be spared. Anyone who steps outside will most certainly die. Furthermore, if Rahab betrays the spies to the king before they are able to escape back to Israel, then she and her household will not be saved from the coming judgment. (v.20) Rahab affirms once more her promise to keep this oath, and then she binds the scarlet cord in her window. (v.21) “According to your words, so be it.” Rahab takes the spies at their word, with no other proof than her faith that they will not betray her when the day of judgment comes. Verses 22-24: The spies return to Joshua with the good news that God has already delivered Jericho into their hands. How do they know this? “…for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.” (v.24) When God is on the side of the righteous, no man or woman can stand against them. Israel was but a tiny nation compared to all the nations of the promised land that were entrenched behind the fortified walls of their great cities such as Jericho. Yet, the spies, too, displayed a faith as great as Rahab’s because they believed her word about the fear in the hearts of Canaan’s people. They knew by faith that God had kept His word to Moses and Joshua, that He would deliver Israel’s enemies into their hands and the land promised to their father Abraham would be theirs. (Exodus 23:31, Joshua 21:44) |
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