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Verses 1-2: God commands Joshua to prepare for battle against Ai, affirming that He will give Israel the victory. (v.1) Not only that, but all the spoil of the city, including all the livestock, may be kept by the Israelites for themselves. If only Achan had trusted God and waited, then he would have had for himself far more treasure than just the little bit that he stole from Jericho. This is another tragic truth of our sin: when we give in and deviate from God’s plan because we want instant gratification instead of waiting for God’s perfect timing, then we miss out on the far richer blessings that God had planned for us. Waiting on the LORD and trusting in His plan is always better than rushing ahead because of our own shortsightedness and our lust for the temporary pleasures of this life.
Verses 3-9: Joshua explains the battle plan to Israel’s army. Per God’s command (v.2), he selects a battalion of thirty thousand men to go behind the city of Ai, on its west side near Bethel, and hide themselves. The rest of the army, led by Joshua, will attack the city from the front and draw out all of its fighting forces. The Israelites will feign fear and retreat, causing the enemy to pursue them. At that time the thirty thousand soldiers lying wait in ambush will attack the city, setting it on fire, and thus surrounding Ai’s army. Take note of the primary reason that this plan will get Israel the victory. Joshua states in verse 6 that the soldiers of Ai will believe Israel’s ruse at the beginning of the attack because that’s what gave Ai the victory before. The enemy will believe they have another easy victory in sight, and so they won’t hesitate to pursue the Israelites. Notice how God uses the prior defeat to ensure the success of this new plan. Even when we stumble in our walk with God and turn to sin, He still weaves that into His divine plan for our lives, especially after we repent and get back on the right path. In other words, when God devised His plan for your life He already took into account all the times that you’re going to fail Him and disobey His leading. That doesn’t mean that you won’t suffer the consequences of that sin – Israel lost 36 good men in the first failed attack – but God will often use our mistakes & failures to bring about unexpected blessings in our lives. Verses 10-17: On the day of the battle, Joshua moves the army in position on the north side of Ai. He selects a contingent of five thousand men and assigns them to a position further away, near Bethel. (This is a separate strategy from the other thirty thousand men already hidden behind Ai, also near Bethel.) Joshua waits until after nightfall to advance on Ai, which, of course, doesn’t go unnoticed by the king of the city. He and his army respond in kind, as well as the soldiers of Bethel. The king foolishly orders all the fighting men of both cities to pursue the retreating Israelites. (v.17) Verses 18-29: Joshua’s signal to the thirty thousand men hiding south of Ai is reminiscent of God’s command to Moses at the Red Sea. God tells Joshua that He has given the victory to Israel and to raise his spear as a signal to the ambush unit behind Ai. (v.18) The men swarm the city, plundering it and setting it on fire. When Joshua and the main army see that Ai is burning, they turn and fight the Canaanites, and the battle is joined by the thirty thousand men, thus completely surrounding the enemy. (v.22) Once the whole of Ai’s and Bethel’s armies are slaughtered, the Israelites return to Ai to finish the battle. They utterly destroy the city, killing any remaining survivors of the initial attack, except for the king, and taking only the livestock and possessions as spoil for themselves. (v.27) Throughout all of this, Joshua remains on the hill above the battle, his spear raised, similar to Moses in the battle with the Amalekites. (v.26) (Exodus 17:11-12) The total population of Ai was twelve thousand (v.25), including the women and children. This fact helps to explain why the scouts in the previous chapter had advised Joshua to send only three thousand soldiers to battle Ai’s relatively small army. Only the king is spared so that he can be executed by hanging. (v.29) At sundown Joshua commands the soldiers to cast the body at the remains of the city gate where the men pile upon it “…a great heap of stone…”. God’s judgment against the cities of Ai and Bethel is complete. Verses 30-35: Joshua and all of Israel now carry out the final command of Moses. (Deuteronomy 27:4) Joshua builds an altar of uncut stones upon which is offered up to the Lord the required sacrifices for atonement and for peace. (v.31) Joshua then writes upon the stones of the altar the law of Moses, after which all of Israel assembles on either Mount Ebal or Mount Gerizim to recite the blessings and cursings as described by Moses in Deuteronomy 27-28. (v.33) Verses 33 and 35 also mention the strangers that have been absorbed into Israel’s population by this point, the most recent being Rahab and her family. They, along with all the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob listen as Joshua reads aloud the law of Moses (v.34).
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Verse 1: Notice that the text states, “…the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing…”. It doesn’t say Achan, even though it was only he that had disobeyed God’s commandment regarding the plunder of Jericho. Only after that opening sentence does the author then tell us that it is Achan, “…the son of Carmi…of the tribe of Judah…” who “…took of the accursed thing…”. This is results in the anger of the LORD being kindled against the entire nation, not just Achan.
Verses 2-5: Unaware of Achan’s sin, Joshua and all the people prepare for their next battle in their campaign of the conquest of the promised land. Joshua sends spies into the nearby region surrounding Ai in order to size up the strength of its people and that city. (v.2) The spies bring back a good report, advising Joshua that only a small portion of Israel’s army needs to go into battle against Ai. (v.3) The city is vulnerable and its defenses minimal. But the three thousand men that Joshua orders into battle are quickly and soundly defeated. (v.4) Thirty-six of them are killed, and the rest flee back to camp causing great dismay for Joshua and all the nation. (v.5) Such a dismal defeat coming so soon after such a great victory over Jericho causes the hearts of the people to melt with fear. Verses 6-9: In another demonstration of godly leadership, Joshua immediately turns to the Lord, seeking both solace and an explanation for the humiliating defeat at Ai. Joshua and the elders assume the traditional display of great mourning in the ANE by tearing their clothes and pouring dust on their heads as they fall to the earth prostrate before the ark of the covenant. (v.6) (Genesis 37:34, 1 Samuel 4:12) Notice the theme of Joshua’s cry: the glory and honor of God. (v.9) Joshua knows that something has gone wrong, for God would not have brought His people this far only to leave them at the mercy of their enemies. (v.7-8) The defeat at Ai will embolden Israel’s enemies, and they will surround the camp in a vigorous campaign that will quickly destroy the fledgling nation. Joshua’s plea in verse 9 echoes that of Moses’ intercessory plea of behalf of Israel in the times of their great disobedience. (Exodus 32:11-12, Numbers 14:15-16) Like Moses, Joshua recognizes that it is the holy name of God that is at risk of being defamed and blasphemed by Israel’s enemies because of this defeat at Ai. Verses 10-15: The LORD's response is immediate: Israel has sinned. The statement in verse 1 is echoed in verse 11. In the eyes of God, one man’s disobedience has condemned the entire nation. “Israel hath sinned…they have even taken the accursed thing…and they have put it even among their own stuff.” The reason for Israel’s defeat at Ai is because they are cursed, and God is no longer on their side. (v.12) But then He graciously offers a way to atone for their sin and restore their broken relationship. He commands Joshua and the people to “…sanctify yourselves against to morrow…” (v.13) because the whole nation will appear before Joshua, and God will reveal to him the guilty party. (v.14-15) Until the sin is removed from the camp the people will have no more victory against their enemies. The man who has disobeyed God’s command will perish “…because he hath transgressed the covenant of the Lord…”. (v.15) Once again, we see the command to sanctify oneself prior to seeking God’s face. (Exodus 19:10) The Israelites must constantly be reminded of God’s holiness and his inability to abide by any sin. We, too, must also be reminded daily of the effect of our sin as a stain upon our relationship with the holy and righteous and almighty God. Any sin – no matter how small or slight – poisons us and adversely affects our relationship with our Lord and savior. Only when we have purged from our lives whatever sin we have allowed to fester can we have a renewed and closer walk with God. Verses 16-23: By a process of divine guidance, Joshua and the elders single out Achan. He confesses to Joshua his sin, describing the Babylonian garment, 200 shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold equal to 50 shekels of weight. “…then I coveted them, and took them…”. (v.21) Achan had violated the eighth and tenth commandments, robbing from God Himself. Remember that the Lord had commanded Joshua that all the silver and gold was to be taken to the tabernacle for use in the house of the LORD. (Joshua 6:19) While there are no degrees of sin with God – a simple lie is as heinous in the Lord’s eyes as murder – there is degrees of the severity of punishment by God for different sins. In the Levitical law, for example, adultery is a capital offense, while the theft of one’s neighbor’s ox is only punishable by a fine. In taking the silver and gold for himself, Achan had stolen what directly belonged to God, and that is part of the reason for the degree of severity with which God judged and condemned him. The stolen possessions are indeed found buried beneath Achan’s tent, and they are laid out in front of Joshua and all of Israel. (v.23) What was once concealed and hidden from the nation is now on full display for all the people to see. This is the hideous deception of Satan in that he so easily convinces us that our sin can remain a secret. We fool ourselves into believing that what is done in secret, in the privacy of our home, can be easily concealed from everyone at church or from our own, family, friends and community. We think it’s just between us and God, and no one else has to know. But the truth is that that secret sin is poison to the body of Christ, and that God can – and often does – hold the entire church responsible and accountable for the private sins among His people. This is part of the harsh lesson shown here in the story of Achan. Verses 24-26: Achan, his whole family, and all his possessions and livestock are brought to the valley of Achor. (v.24) Joshua announces God’s judgment against Achan, and then all the people stone Achan and his family to death. (v.25) Afterwards, they burn them with fire as ordered by God. The whole pit is then covered with a great pile of stones, and God’s wrath is satisfied. (v.26) One aspect of this account often troubles believers, both those who are newly saved and those who are veterans of the faith. If it was only Achan who committed the sin, why did God condemn his whole family? And why was all of his livestock and other possessions destroyed as well? The answer is simple, though difficult to grasp because of two things: our own sin nature as well as our modern day cultural view of laws and personal responsibility. As I discussed in the earlier commentaries of Genesis and Exodus, God had already judged and condemned the Canaanites because of their extreme wickedness fueled by their pride and rebellion against Him. God had commanded Moses on several occasions to slaughter not only the men but also the women and children. (Numbers 31:16-18[vii] is just one example.) It may seem cruel and unjust in our eyes to kill innocent babies and young children, but we must keep in mind that 1) if they are under the age of accountability, meaning that they are too young to truly understand their sin nature and their need of salvation, then they are immediately transported to heaven at the moment of death; and 2) if they are past the age of accountability, then they are fully aware – even at a young age – of their sin and its consequences. Therefore, they are just as guilty as their parents and, thus, fully deserving of God’s wrath and punishment for their sin. In the matter of Achan, it is not clear from the text whether his whole family was indeed aware of his sin and, thus, co-conspirators, or if they were truly innocent in that they had no knowledge of it. But that brings us to the primary point of this passage: we must understand God’s view of sin, specifically how it affects not only the one who is engaged in the sinful act/behavior, but also how it has consequences for not just the sinner but those around him/her as well. In the case of Achan, even though his sin was done in secret, God viewed it as a stain upon his whole family and all of Israel. This is what we, in our fallen, corrupt nature, have a hard time grasping. We view our sin as something secret, something that is only between us and God, and it’s nobody else’s business but ours. But that’s not how God sees it. Any sin, no matter how small or slight, is never a stain upon just the individual sinner. It is a stain upon all in that sinner’s immediate circle of family and friends – including his/her church family – often in ways of which he/she is not even aware. Have you ever wondered why you and I, descendants of Adam and Eve who are born in sin, are condemned simply because of Adam’s and Eve’s act of disobedience thousands of years ago in the garden of Eden? Why did God condemn their children because of Adam and Eve's sin? While there’s no definitive and clear answer to that question, it does help to explain how God views sin as a stain upon all of His creation, even when it was just two people who committed the act. Their sin caused all of creation to fall from perfection, and that meant that their children were born with that same fallen, corrupt nature. And because God is holy, perfect, and pure, He cannot be in the presence of any sin whatsoever. In the case of Achan, God could not dwell among His chosen people when there was unconfessed sin in Achan’s heart and within his tent. We can reasonably conclude from the text that Achan never once confessed his sin and offered up the proper sacrifice to atone for that sin. Therefore, God could not dwell among the children of Israel when there was active sin in the camp. And because He withdrew His presence the Israelites lost the battle of Ai, suffering the consequences of one man’s secret sin. The same is true today within the church. If there is unconfessed sin among the body of Christ, it will have all kinds of negative consequences and side effects within the church. The root of sin is pride, and when we are not humble and submissive to God’s will for our lives, God cannot use us. Pride can lead many believers to cause division and strife within the church body, and God cannot use a church for His honor and glory when the infection of sin cripples that body. The only way to be right and pure before God is to confess the sin and repent and get rid of it completely. That’s the reason for the death sentence against Achan and all his family and household. That’s why his livestock and possessions were eliminated alongside him, his wife, and all his children. Everything that Achan’s sin had directly infected was killed and then burned. When it comes to sin in our lives, there is no such thing as half measures when we are eradicating it. We must have the same view as God and the Israelites. We must thoroughly exterminate all sin from our daily lives, else we risk severe damage to our relationship with God as well as collateral damage to our fellow believers in the body of Christ. The account of Achan is a sobering one, and even though believers today don’t have to fear death by stoning due to unconfessed sin, we shouldn’t take lightly this grievous lesson that cost Achan and all his family their lives. God’s view of sin has not changed. He sees it the same today as He did back then. We, therefore, should do the same. 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. CHAPTER 3:
Chapters 3 & 4 are best read as one unit which describes the crossing of the Jordan River. The time has come to cross the river Jordan, but there’s some preparations that must be done first. Israel sets up camp near the river, and waits three days before receiving further instructions from Joshua. (v.1-2) (Joshua 1:10-11) The people are to watch for the priests as they take up the ark of the covenant and begin marching towards Jordan. (v.3) The officers also remind the people to keep a safe distance between them and the ark – about a thousand yards – so that they know where to go since this is new territory for all of them. (v.4) The other reason for this is that they remain at a respectful distance due the holiness of the ark and the presence of God that accompanies it. (Exodus 19:12) Verse 5: Joshua commands the Israelites to sanctify themselves in preparation for crossing the river, “…for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Exodus 19:10, 14-15, Leviticus 20:7, Numbers 11:18, Joshua 7:13, 1 Samuel 16:5, Job 1:5, Joel 2:16) This is a familiar command throughout the OT whenever the children of Israel are preparing for a major event such as this. Sanctification before God is necessary because of His holiness, because of who He is and who we are. Before the perfect blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, the only method of mankind cleansing and sanctifying themselves before God was the high priest and the animal sacrifices. Believers today are once and for all sanctified and cleansed by accepting the shed blood of Christ for their sins. (Hebrews 13:12) The definition of “sanctify”, according to Strong’s Concordance, is “to separate from profane things and dedicate to God.” That’s what Joshua is commanding the people to do here in preparation for crossing the Jordan and fulfilling God’s command for them to conquer the promised land. Even we today have a need to continually separate ourselves from sin and other profane things that hinder our walk with the Lord. (Ephesians 5:25-26, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 1 Peter 3:15) Another definition of “sanctify” is “to purify, or to cleanse externally.” That’s what is needed daily as we remain in this wicked flesh for the rest of our time here on earth. Only when we are at last reunited with our Lord and Savior in eternal glory will we receive that perfect, incorruptible body and never again have to worry about the need for sanctification. Verses 6-13: God reaffirms for Joshua his divinely appointed leadership of Israel. (v.7-8) As He was with Moses, so is the Lord with Joshua. The priests that bare the ark of the covenant are to step into the river and then stand still. Joshua summons all the congregation in order to deliver to them God’s commands. (v.9) He also reminds them of the promise of God regarding their conquering of the promised land. (v.10-11) Each tribe is to select one man as a representative who will, presumably, follow behind the priests as they cross the Jordan. (v.12) The moment the priests step into the river the water flowing from the north will be cut off and stand as a wall a great distance from the crossing point. (v.13) There is a deliberate echo here of the crossing of the Red Sea. God is demonstrating His power and might for His chosen people, just as He did for the first generation that came up out of Egypt. When Joshua’s instructions are followed precisely, the priests stand in the midst of the dry riverbed, bearing the ark, as the children of Israel cross to the other side. (v.14-17) Note that it’s not just the Jordan river that is halted, but also all the streams and tributaries below the point of the priests’ entrance that are dried up as well. When all is said and done, God and His name are glorified by this miracle, just as He was after the crossing of the Red Sea. Joshua, the servant of the Lord, is also honored for His obedience and leadership. The lesson here for us today is obvious. When we exercise our faith and trust in God, He will make a way for us to fulfill whatever calling He has chosen for us. All that is required of us is simple humility and prompt obedience. God will remove whatever obstacles stand in our way as long as we rely solely on Him and are patient to wait for His timing and will. CHAPTER 4: Verses 1-8: After all of Israel has crossed over the Jordan Joshua commands one man from each tribe to choose a stone from the exposed riverbed, near the spot where the priests that bear the ark are still standing. The purpose of this is to build a pillar on the west bank of the Jordan that will serve as a memorial for future generations. Here again we see an echo of the same instruction given by God to Moses as the children of Israel prepared to depart from Egypt. (Exodus 12:26, 13:14, Deuteronomy 6:20) Just as the annual passover feast and ritual would serve to remind their descendants of God’s providence and salvation, so will this monument serve the same purpose. This also hearkens back to the various altars that were built and/or places that were given special names by Abraham and Jacob after specific moments in their lives when they encountered God. (Genesis 22:14, 28:18-19) It was a common custom in the cultures of the ANE to construct such memorials to mark important events, people, and/or places of great significance. Verses 9-10: After the twelve tribes have built their memorial, Joshua sets up a second one in the midst of the Jordan riverbed, on the same spot where the priests are still standing. Scripture, however, doesn’t give a specific reason for this second pillar, so we can only guess at its purpose. It also seems odd to place such a memorial in the middle of the river where it will probably never be seen unless the river drops to a certain level in the seasons before and after harvest. (Joshua 3:15) The most likely reason for this second memorial is the same as the other one on the west bank: a reminder for future generations of God’s greatness, power, and providence for His chosen people. Verses 11-13: The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh honor their vow to Moses and Joshua by sending their men of war across the Jordan to fight with their fellow Israelites. (Numbers 32:17-18, Joshua 1:13-14) Verse 14: Because of his humility and obedience to the Lord, Joshua was lifted up by God in the sight of all the people, who now revere him as they did Moses. (Joshua 3:7) God will never exalt the proud, the rebellious, or the wicked; those who seek glory for themselves and chase after only the praise of men. However, those who humble themselves, and seek His face, and obey His divine will will God lift up before men in due time. This is the primary reason that Joshua is such a great example of leadership in scripture. He never sought the role as Moses’ replacement, but he was willing to learn while under Moses’ tutelage. When the time came for Moses to pass on, Joshua was willing and ready to follow God’s call and accepted the mantle of leadership without question. Now, after the miraculous crossing of the Jordan river, the people recognize Joshua as God’s appointed leader, and see that the Lord is indeed with him. They are willing to obey Joshua as the Lord’s appointed servant and mouthpiece. Verses 15-18: As soon as the last of the people have crossed over, and after Joshua has erected his monument in the middle of the riverbed, God commands Joshua to command the priests to “…come ye up out of Jordan.” (v.17) As soon as the priests step up onto the riverbank, the wall of water collapses and the river returns to its previous state, overflowing its banks. What a magnificent sight that must have been for all of Israel to witness! Verses 19-24: The nation sets up camp in Gigal, on the tenth day of the first month (v.19), and this is where Joshua erects the monument of their crossing the Jordan with the twelve stones. (v.5, 20) Joshua then commands the people to never forget what God has done for them here. The pillar of stones is to be a memorial for them and all their descendants of the power of God and the miracle that He performed on their behalf this day. Joshua compares this event to the crossing of the Red Sea of their fathers (v.23) and reminds the people of the purpose of such miraculous events: “That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.” (v.24) (Exodus 14:31, Deuteronomy 6:2, 1 Kings 8:42, 2 Kings 19:19, Psalm 76:7, 106:8, Jeremiah 10:7) 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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