Lesson 2
Spies and Truth
(JOSHUA 2—4)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Joshua 2—4. This lesson references chapters 3–4 in Be Strong. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
It’s remarkable how God in His grace uses people we might think could never become His servants. “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:27–29 NKJV). Jesus was the “friend of publicans and sinners” (Luke 7:34), and He wasn’t ashamed to have a former prostitute in His family tree!
—Be Strong, page 47
1. Review Joshua 2:1–7. How are Rahab’s actions evidence of faith? Why is it significant that the Bible includes this story? What’s unique about it when compared to the rest of the biblical narrative? What does this tell us about how God brings about His plans? About who can be used by God to bring about those plans?
More to Consider: Read Proverbs 12:22. Obviously, lying is wrong. What made Rahab’s lies “okay” in this story? Does this mean God is saying lying is okay sometimes? Why or why not?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Joshua 2—4 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Faith is only as good as its object. Some people have faith in faith and think that just by believing they can make great things happen. Others have faith in lies, which is not faith at all but superstition. I once heard a psychologist say that the people in a support group “must have some kind of faith, even if it’s faith in the soft drink machine.” But faith is only as good as its object. How much help can you get from a soft drink machine, especially after you’ve run out of money?
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds us that “faith shows itself in the whole personality.” True saving faith isn’t just a feat of intellectual gymnastics by which we convince ourselves that something is true that really isn’t true. Nor is it merely a stirring of the emotions that gives us a false sense of confidence that God will do what we feel He will do. Nor is it a courageous act of the will whereby we jump off the pinnacle of the temple and expect God to rescue us (Matt. 4:5–7). True saving faith involves “the whole personality”: the mind is instructed, the emotions are stirred, and the will then acts in obedience to God.
—Be Strong, pages 48–49
3. Review Joshua 2:8–11. What does it mean that “faith is only as good as its object”? What was the object of Rahab’s faith? Why did she have such faith in God? How did this affect the decisions she made when the spies arrived?
From the Commentary
“The LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Josh. 2:11). What a confession of faith from the lips of a woman whose life had been imprisoned in pagan idolatry! She believed in one God, not in the multitude of gods that populated the heathen temples. She believed He was a personal God (“your God”), who would work on behalf of those who trusted Him. She believed He was the God of Israel, who would give the land to His people. This God whom she trusted was not limited to one nation or one land, but was the God of heaven and earth. Rahab believed in a great and awesome God!
Our confidence that we are God’s children comes from the witness of the Word of God before us and the witness of the Spirit of God within us (1 John 5:9–13). However, the assurance of salvation isn’t based only on what we know from the Bible or how we feel in our hearts. It’s also based on how we live, for if there hasn’t been a change in our behavior, then it’s doubtful that we’ve truly been born again (2 Cor. 5:21; James 2:14–26). It isn’t enough to say “Lord, Lord!” We must obey what He tells us to do (Matt. 7:21–27). Rahab’s obedience gave evidence of a changed life.
—Be Strong, page 50
4. In what ways was Rahab’s conversion an act of God’s grace? What does this story teach us about God’s grace? How did Rahab’s obedience reveal the character of her heart?
From Today’s World
If you go to the movies or watch TV or read popular literature these days, you will undoubtedly run into plots where lies or deceit play a critical role. In many cases, lies are treated as “par for the course” in relationships—and sometimes are even directly or indirectly celebrated because they lead to a happy ending. Secrets and lies are nothing new, but their ubiquity in modern media certainly is notable.
5. Why do you think lies are used so often in today’s movie, TV, or book storylines? What is the intrigue of lying as a plot element? How do these shows attempt to redeem lies and deceit? How is this different from the role of lies in Rahab’s story?
From the Commentary
Rahab wasn’t concerned only about her own welfare, for once she had personally experienced the grace and mercy of God, she was burdened to rescue her family. After Andrew met the Lord Jesus, he shared the good news with his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus (John 1:35–42). The cleansed leper went home and told everybody he met what Jesus had done for him (Mark 1:40–45). “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30).
—Be Strong, page 51
6. Why was Rahab concerned about her family? (See Joshua 2:11–14.) What assurances did she seek from the spies? What assurance did she get? Why was this important?
More to Consider: Read about the covenant in Joshua 2:15–24. Then read about a few other divine covenants: Genesis 2:16–17; Exodus 19—20; 2 Samuel 7; Jeremiah 31:31; Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 12:24. What is similar about each of these covenants? What does a covenant really mean?
From the Commentary
The spies instructed Rahab to hang a scarlet rope out of the window of her house, which was built into the wall (Josh. 2:18). This scarlet rope would identify the “house of safety” to the army of Israel when they came to take the city. The color of the rope is significant, for it reminds us of blood. Just as the blood on the doorposts in Egypt marked a house that the angel of death was to pass over (Ex. 12:1–13), so the scarlet rope marked a house on the Jericho wall whose occupants the Jewish soldiers were to protect. Rahab let the men down from the window with that rope and kept it in the window from that hour. This was the “sure sign” of the covenant that she had asked for (Josh. 2:12–23).
—Be Strong, page 53
7. In what ways is the red rope a symbol of faith in God? How is it similar to the blood on the doorposts when the Israelites were captive in Egypt? What is the role of symbols like this red rope in the life of a believer? What happens when we put our faith in the symbol instead of what it represents?
From the Commentary
We’ve just examined the faith of an individual, Rahab, and now the focus in the book of Joshua moves to the faith of an entire nation. As you study, keep in mind that this book deals with much more than ancient history—what God did centuries ago for the Jews. It’s about your life and the life of the church today—what God wants to do here and now for those who trust Him. The book of Joshua is about the victory of faith and the glory that comes to God when His people trust and obey. British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli said, “The world was never conquered by intrigue; it was conquered by faith.” …
In Joshua 3 and 4, God illustrates for us three essentials for moving ahead by faith and claiming all that He has for us.…
The first of these is the word of faith (3:1–13).
As the nation waited by the Jordan River, the people must have wondered what Joshua planned to do. He certainly wouldn’t ask them to swim the river or ford it, because the river was at flood stage (3:15). They couldn’t construct enough boats or rafts to transport more than a million people over the water to the other side. Besides, that approach would make them perfect targets for their enemies. What would their new leader do?
—Be Strong, pages 57–59
8. What was the “word of faith” that Joshua counted on when his people reached the Jordan? Where did he get this word? Why is it that “faith” and “waiting” intersect so often in God’s plan? Why is waiting so hard? What role did Joshua’s character (and his own faith in God) play in helping his people trust God’s unrevealed plan?
From the Commentary
The second essential for moving ahead by faith and claiming all that God has for us is the walk of faith (3:14–17).
During most of the year, the Jordan River was about a hundred feet wide, but at the spring flood season, the river overflowed its banks and became a mile wide. As soon as the priests bearing the ark put their feet into the river, the water stopped flowing and stood like a wall about twenty miles away upstream, near a city called Adam. It was a miracle of God in response to the faith of the people.
Unless we step out by faith (1:3) and “get our feet wet,” we’re not likely to make much progress in living for Christ and serving Him. Each step that the priests took opened the water before them until they were standing in the midst of the river on dry ground. They stood there as the people passed by, and when the whole nation had crossed, the priests walked to the shore and the flow of the water resumed.
When God opened the Red Sea, He used a strong wind that blew the whole night before (Ex. 14:21–22). This was not an accident, for the wind was the blast of God’s nostrils (15:8). When Moses lifted his rod, the wind began to blow, and when he lowered the rod, the waters flowed back and drowned the Egyptian army (14:26–28). When Israel crossed the Jordan River, it was not the obedient arm of a leader that brought the miracle but the obedient feet of the people. Unless we are willing to step out by faith and obey His Word, God can never open the way for us.
—Be Strong, pages 63–64
9. How might God’s earlier miracle at the Red Sea have helped the Israelites as they considered the obstacle of the Jordan River? How can both of these miracles help believers learn to trust God’s leading today? What role did Joshua play in helping the Israelites move forward in God’s plan? How is that similar to the role Christian leaders play today?
From the Commentary
The third essential for moving ahead by faith and claiming all that God has for us is the witness of faith (4:1–24).
The Lord was in control of all the activities at the Jordan River that day. He told the priests when to enter the river and when to leave and go to the other side. He told the water when to roll back and when to return. Both the water and the people obeyed Him, and everything worked out as God planned. It was a day that glorified the Lord and magnified His servant Joshua (v. 14).
Two heaps of stones were set up as memorials of Israel’s crossing of the Jordan River: twelve stones at Gilgal (vv. 1–8, 10–24), and twelve stones in the midst of the river (v. 9). They were witnesses that God honors faith and works on behalf of those who trust Him.
—Be Strong, page 65
10. How does the witness of faith help believers who follow in the footsteps of those who saw God’s great power? What are some of the witnesses of faith that today’s Christians can look to for strength and confidence to move ahead? How can today’s believers become witnesses of faith for the next generation?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Joshua 2—4. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. What about Rahab’s story inspires you? In what ways can you relate to Rahab? What does her faith teach you about the breadth of God’s grace? How have you experienced that grace?
12. In Rahab’s story, lies were used to protect the spies. What does this tell you about Rahab? About how she understood what it means to trust God? In what ways have you acted like Rahab when responding to God’s call on your life? Have you ever felt called to do something you normally wouldn’t? How do you know when that tug is from God?
13. What are some obstacles you’ve encountered in your life that loom like the overflowing Jordan River? How did you respond when you first faced these obstacles? What role did trust in God play as you sought the way through (or around) them?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you want to get your feet wet, acting on faith in God? Do you long to embrace God’s grace, as Rahab did? Be specific. Go back through Joshua 2—4 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: What is one “promised land” you’re feeling led to these days? (This might be a career change or something to do with family, friends, or your community.) How do you know if this is something God wants for you or if it’s something you simply want for yourself? Talk with wise friends about this and spend time in Scripture seeking God’s will. Then note the obstacles in your way. Seek God’s heart patiently in prayer and supplication as you listen for wisdom on how to move beyond these obstacles.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve noted above. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Joshua 5. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 5, “Preparing for Victory,” in Be Strong.