by
Pastor D. R. Terry
Joshua chapter
2:1, 23, 24
The story that is before us in the text is a story of
“two spies and a harlot.” It
has to deal with the promises of God, and an important move of the leader Joshua
to “drum up” morale for the troops in sending these men over to spy out the
land.
Those two spies were Joshua, and Caleb. And now in Joshua chapter 2, Joshua knows just how crucial such a move is. He doesn’t send 12 out – he sends out 2. We don’t know the names of these two, but we can be assured Joshua carefully separated them, and scrutinized them, to make sure they were of the character so as not to get discouraged by what they saw or experienced. Because what they would have to say when they got back, would go along way towards raising the “morale” and encouraging the people of God!
Now as we make application to the text – we remember that whereas the “promised land” makes up for some good preaching about heaven – of which I don’t oppose – the fact is, in it’s truest type, that land of Promise was instead a picture of a Christian’s fruitful life. It lay over Jordan’s river, which means for us – dying to the old life, and going forth to reap the fruit that is on the other side! It shows what is called “abundant living.” Fruitful, and victorious living. Getting across Jordan showed they were turning from the old life, giving up on what that side of Jordan had to offer, they were crossing and going to possess what God had given them!
When Israel went across that Jordan, God caused the Jordan to part, and they went across on dry land. The ark of the LORD went down first, and they followed after it. They took 12 stones into Jordan’s river bank, “planted those stones” down in the bed of that river – took 12 stones back out to the other side, and planted them there – all that showing the death of the old man, his burial, and resurrection to walk in newness of life! I guess that’s where we got “tombstones.” Those stones were a memorial of that historical crossing – where Israel began to first go in and posses the land God given them!
The report of these two spies sent out in chapter 2 goes a long way in motivating the people of God to go ahead and begin to cross over that Jordan in chapter 3. Chapter 2 ends with the words,
23
So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed
over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell
them:
24
And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands
all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of
us.
And the command is in v. 1, as to what Joshua expected from them. He said, “GO VIEW THE LAND.” Go and see what’s there. And they went and found some things, and when they came back they said, “Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us”! No doubt they were greatly encouraged by what they saw – and that would further encourage Joshua, and all of Israel!
Now in making application– I want to set forth this land of promise before us all – this fruitful life of victory for the child of God which will cross Jordan and bury the “old life” – and view that life which is on the other side. That land of fruit, and abundance – and I want to “VIEW THAT LAND”, from the perspective of what these 2 men seen when they viewed the land. What did these two spies find? What they found, made them want to return back with everyone – and their report was encouraging. You see what they found – is what everyone finds who will cross ol’ Jordan, and raise a tombstone up to the old life!
I. Adventure – Here are 2 spies and a harlot named Rahab! I mean, it’s almost like you are reading an action novel! The real action is in the Bible! You just have to read it with the right amount of enthusiasm. Remember attitude is everything. And if you will put yourself there in the text, and while you are reading put your heart into the reading and just try to picture what it is talking about in your mind – you’ll see that book is very exciting!
Listen, those two spies had been hanging around on that side of Jordan – and for 40 years they watched as that whole prior generation dies there in that wilderness. They go through the sadness of having to see Moses, that great man of God leave this world –and not long after that, the mundane, monotony of living on the wrong side of Jordan broke, as Joshua, Moses’ replacement came calling and said, “GO VIEW THE LAND.”
Listen for 40 years, 100’s of people died every day so that that whole generation would be gone when it was time to inherit the land. There couldn’t have been one household that death hadn’t touched there house. After so much of that, people just get accustomed to going through the motions – as person after person dies, and they take them out and bury them. Out there in that wilderness, it’s day in day out – the same old stuff. In that state you are just existing – and there’s no freshness, and nothing stirring ever happens! So usually a person in that state has to turn on the TV to get some kind of excitement going on.
SO they see these make-believe people crying make-believe tears, firing make-believe guns, dying make-believe deaths – and the whole thing is on a “movie set.” None of it is real!
They get in on sports – and honest to Pete’, if there was no team you could root for – or no individual you could root for – you’d pull your hair out for boredom! Amen! (seen it all)!
You know what people need to do – is push away from that TV, and quit sitting there watching other people live fake lives, and act through fake adventures – and get some real, personal adventure in their lives! Now the work of God is exciting! It is not boring at all! It’s funny how when you speak to people about getting saved so many of them will say, “Well I haven’t quit having my fun yet” or they’ll say, “I’m not ready to settle down yet.” Well then by all means, jump in with both feet!
That’s the problem with so many churches today – is that they are filled with people who didn’t “get in” until they were ready to settle down! The work of God is exciting! It’s an adventure!
II. Answers – You know what I’ve noticed – I’ve noticed on the other side of Jordan there is far too many questions that there is no way of ever getting the answers to. Thinking about Israel and how many things must have been going around those minds. The last reports given were good report vs. evil report! And it was 10 to 2 in favor of the evil report! Don’t you know they had some questions. I bet they’d sit around and ask, “Well how deep do you think ole Jordan is?” “I wonder how many of those giants there are?” “How many battles do you think we’ll have to fight?” “I wonder how big that fruit is?” – and that type of thing can get going and goes on and on – and may never stop.
Until one day Joshua comes to these 2 spies and says “Hey, Go view that land and see for yourself”! Those on the other side of Jordan are content to always ask such questions, and live their lives around the questions – but it’s over Jordan, that’s where the answers are! (questions on witnessing; discipling someone else; giving to missions; living by faith; getting victory over habitual sin ) get to where you can find out!
III. Allies – (2:1-7) When they got there, they found out there were some people there who were positioned by the LORD to help them out! This what every single person who loses the desire for the wrong side of Jordan, and desires to go over and live off the fruit of that promised land finds out! They find out there are people on that side who are there to help you!
Not everyone is against you, there are some people who really love God and will appreciate your effort to do something for God.
Rahab the harlot -
1. a sinner
2. under condemnation
3. given a period of grace
4. heard the word of God (v. 10,11)
5. she believed it!
6. proved her faith by her works - James 2:25
7. she sought to win others - her family! (v. 13)
8. she was delivered from the wrath to come!
9. she was put into the family of Jesus Christ, and
connected to the nation of Israel!
IV. Adversity – These 2 men found out, once word got around about what they were doing, there was dispatched a group to stop them from doing it. There was people sent out to capture them and stop them – and they had to be hidden out by Rahab the harlot.
No one ever promised a "rose garden" once converted, as a matter of fact, the Bible says it is a battle for which you are to have on the whole armor of God. There is adversity.
V.
Advantage – (v. 8-22) The LORD has went before you in this
thing!
The testimony of God among the heathen gave the spies an unseen advantage. God has done some works before the eyes of the scornful, and skeptics and this serves as an advantage.
VI. Abundance - What God has for you is better, period!
VII. Assurance - Joshua reaps for His faithful report, which he gave with Caleb and gains assurance that God was with Israel!