15 Then she lowered them by a rope through the window; since her house abutted the city wall, indeed was actually built into it. 16 She told them, “Head for the hills, so that the pursuit party won’t get their hands on you; and hide yourselves there for three days, until the pursuers have returned. After that, you can go on your way.” 17 The men said to her, “We will not be guilty of violating the oath you made us swear, provided that 18 when we enter the land, you tie this piece of scarlet cord in the window you let us down from; and you gather together in your house your father, mother, brothers, and your father’s entire household. 19 If anyone goes out the doors of your house into the street, he will be responsible for his own blood, and we will be guiltless. But everyone who stays with you in the house — we will be responsible for his blood if anyone lays a hand on him. 20 However, if you say a word about this business of ours, then we will be free of your oath that you made us swear.” 21 “According to your words, so be it,” she said, and sent them away. As they departed, she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
22 They left, arrived in the hills, and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had returned. The pursuers had searched for them all the way but hadn’t found them. 23 Then the two men returned. Descending from the hills they crossed over and came to Y’hoshua the son of Nun, and reported everything that had happened to them. 24 “Truly Adonai has handed over all the land to us,” they told Y’hoshua. “Everyone in the land is terrified that we’re coming.”
***The basic purpose of spies in time of war is to gather information about the enemy that will inform strategic planning. The spies of Jericho were indeed gathering information. But it was not for the purpose of strategic planning. The Lord already had promised that Jericho and the surrounding land would be given over to Israel. The information gathered by the spies was to help convince Israel that the Lord had indeed given them the city. There was no need for Israel to plan, they needed only to obey.
While the kindness of Rahab was crucial to the survival and mission of the spies, the victory already promised by the Lord was not dependent on the help of a prostitute. The mercy of God to spare Rahab and her family was not a reward for helping Israel conquer Jericho. The mercy of God was in response to something much deeper than Rahab’s simple kindness. Her kindness was the result of a repentant heart that recognized the one true God. Like the city of Nineveh, the story of Rahab reminds us that God is merciful to those who change their ways and walk in the way of the Lord.
Hymn for Today: "Near the Cross" by Fanny J. Crosby.
1. Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
2. Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
3. Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o'er me.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
4. Near the cross! I'll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Please pray: That many people in the Solomon Islands will come to know Yeshua as their Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HakKodesh.
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