Joshua 2:1b Prostitute and Sinners

Joshua 2:1b So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

So much could be contrived in this short verse! I’ve decided to add David Guzik’s commentary on this verse because it dives into it deeply!

Through the history of Christianity, it has embarrassed some Bible interpreters that these two spies went to the house of a prostitute. Some have tried to say that Rahab was simply an “innkeeper,” but the language is clear enough. She was a harlot.

i. In the second century Origen wrote: “As the first Joshua sent his spies before him and they were received into the harlot’s house, so the second Joshua sent his forerunners, whom the publicans and harlots gladly received”.

ii. It is great when sinners receive Jesus; not those who deny their sinfulness or don’t know what they are capable of apart from Jesus – the gospel is for those who know they are sinners.

b. And lodged there: Why did they go to the harlot’s house? Though it was an awkward place, it must be admitted that it was a perfect place to hide out and remain anonymous, and this was necessary because the city was on strict guard.

i. There isn’t even the hint of immorality with Rahab. Anyone who assumes that there was immoral conduct forces their own bias on the text.

Jesus came for the sinners and to provide a way to the Father through HIS blood 🩸 sacrifice. Are you a sinner in need of salvation? Is your place in heaven secured?

If the Lord could use a prostitute named Rahab, why can’t HE use you?

Blessings 

Joshua 2:1a God’s Purpose!

 

1Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.”

God’s Purpose!

“We aren’t told who the two spies are, but Jewish tradition – speculation, really – says they were faithful Caleb and the high priest Eliezer.” (Guzik)

“God has greater things in mind for this spy mission; it will fail as a mission of military reconnaissance, but it will succeed in God’s purpose.” (Guzik)

Has the Lord sent you on a mission, ministry or task and it turned out differently than you expected?

That’s the way the Lord works! If we knew the outcome would we even do it?

But if we are faithful, it will succeed in God’s purpose!

Blessings 

Joshua 1:16-18 Confirm

16So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. 17Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 18Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words, all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”

Confirm-Confirmation 

“The representatives from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh say the same thing to Joshua that he heard from the Lord in Joshua 1:6. This must have been a confirmation of God’s word to Joshua when they said it. God loves to confirm His word to us.” (Guzik)

Years ago we received confirmation from the Lord about moving. We prayed about it and searched for homes, after going through a two page list it was a bust. My realtor mentioned an area to explore and when I saw one my heart sang! After some negotiations we purchased it. Then came the task of selling our home of 29 years, packing and getting rid of things. We listed the home with a realtor and it hit the market on a Friday at noon. Saturday night at church my wife was talking to a friend and told her we were moving. After a short conversation she says, are we viewing your house tomorrow? Well the Lord works in mysterious ways! Yes they were! They had been looking for a year and their realtor told them that their dream home didn’t exist. Fifty six hours after hitting the market we had a signed contract! We hadn’t expected to move until the following spring but the Lord said, move now! He confirmed His word with us!

Have you ever received confirmation from the Lord?

Blessings 

Proverbs-Sluggard-Stronghold

 One of my devotionals this morning was on Proverbs 21:25-26 and it made me think of wasted time spent on worthless things! A picture is worth a thousand words so here are two Proverbs verses at opposite ends of the spectrum.

One of my struggles is as I age I cannot do the physical things I used to and I don’t have the energy as I did in my younger years. But I look back at my life and when I was eleven, I worked part time at a local market. When I was twelve I painted my grandmother’s house. I cut lawns and raked leaves. When I was fifteen I painted my aunt’s (widow) house. Sixteen through seventeen I was a stock boy at a local market and was assigned the can isle. So I was always busy working on productive things. I also inherited my grandfather’s money sense and saved for things of necessity. I’m not a rich man by our standards but the Lord has provided and I’m rich in a spiritual sense because my faith is in Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a [true and faithful] wife finds a good thing And obtains favor and approval from the LORD.

I’m also rich because the Lord has given me a loving wife and a lasting marriage!

Do I have the right to be a sluggard in my retirement years? It’s not in my dna!

May our Lord Jesus guide our hearts today and remove our idleness, organize our time and make us wise men and women with our time!

Blessings 

 

Joshua 1:12-15 Help Them!

12But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13“Remember what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you when he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’ 14Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, 15until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”

Help Them

“This same principle operates in the Body of Christ. When one member has a need, it is the common need of the body (1 Corinthians 12:25-26). We should never refuse to help a brother in need because our own state is settled.” (Guzik)

1Co 12:25-26 NKJV - 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but [that] the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with [it]; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with [it].

When we purchased our current property we started clearing some trees for a barn. It was overwhelming as we had 50 trees to cut down, process, cut up, remove stumps and level the soil for the barn. We had started attending a new church and a couple introduced themselves. After the husband found out we were clearing tree limbs and branches he asked what time he could come to help us! 

He has a big heart ❤️ for helping brothers and sisters in the body and the community in general.

Have you ever offered to help them?

Blessings 

Joshua 1:10-11 WAITING

 10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people: 11“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’ ”

“The waiting for God is often the most difficult part for us, but days of waiting are always days of preparation in God’s work. There is no wasted time with God.” (Guzik)

Waiting 

2 Peter 3: 8Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

His timing is not our timing!

9The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

No wasted time, so be prepared!

10But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.

While the earth spirals towards destruction we need to wait and prepare for the Lord Jesus’ second coming! Reader is your soul secured and marked as HIS? If you’re not sure then what are you waiting for? You have two choices eternity in heaven or eternity in hell, choose wisely!

Blessings 

Joshua 1:6-9 For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

 6Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them.

7Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. 8This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

9Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

“Joshua is called to boldness in God. This exposes Joshua’s weakness; there was a need for such a command because even a great leader like Joshua needed such encouragement.” (Guzik)

“For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.”

Is this a promise to the Christian too? Spirituality, for it is written:

Rom 8:36-37 NKJV - 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."* 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Earthly = Our body, our tent is a vapor! Remember the old adage, time flies and life is short!

Spirituality = Our soul is FOREVER, eternity with King Jesus or eternity in hell!

Matthew 25:46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

We all have eternal life, the question is: will you spend it in utter darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth or with the One who loved us and gave us grace?

Blessings