A Systematic Expository Study on the book of JOSHUA

STUDY 6: ASSURANCE OF VICTORY: FEAR WITHIN THE ENEMY’S STRONGHOLDS

Joshua 2:8-24.

The steps of the two men sent out by Joshua to spy and search “the land, even Jericho”, to view and survey the city, were ordered and directed by the Lord. The Lord led them to a single place where they got all the information needed. There was much wisdom in sending out two – to complement, support, encourage and even correct each other. The Scripture links up Moses and Aaron, Joshua and Caleb, Peter and John, Barnabas and Saul and Jesus sent out His disciples two by two to evangelise with supernatural signs. Even in the ministry today, there are assignments which are best carried out by two like-minded, united, consecrated believers.

Notice how God worked on both sides of the line. On the one side of the line were these two spies and on the other side was Rahab. They needed information and she had the information. God led the two men to the right place and person at the right time to fulfil His own purpose. When God works He always works at both sides of the line. So it was in the case of Samuel and Saul, in the case of the Ethiopian Eunuch and Philip the evangelist and that of Cornelius and Peter. God’s leading is verifiable. Note also that these two men achieved more than they were sent out to do! Beyond the assignment of spying and viewing the land, they brought salvation to Rahab and her household; through their instrumentality, a Gentile woman was not only saved, but brought into the genealogy of Christ, the Saviour (Matthew 1:1-5). When a man and his ministry both please the Lord, he accomplishes more than he was originally commissioned to do.

CONFESSION AND CONVICTION PRODUCED BY SUPERNATURAL SIGNS

Joshua 2:8-13; Deuteronomy 11:25; Joshua 5:1; 1 Samuel 4:7,8; Exodus 15:14-17; Deuteronomy 2:24, 25;Judges 7:9-15; Zechariah 8:21-23.

Blessed are our ears for what they hear. We have heard from God and we know that His promises cannot fail. We have seen His supernatural acts and our hearts are fixed on moving forward in the path He has ordained. And now to hear that there is fear, trembling and fainting in the camp of the enemy, what a courage-infusing information! Hear the confession coming from the centre and heart of Jericho. “I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you … And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Joshua 2:9-11). The sinners’ fear should produce saints’ faith and servants’ fortitude. We who are fighting Joshua’s battle today should take to heart this word that has leaked out from the headquarters of the devil’s army. With all the devil’s boasting and demons’ threats, they are the bigger cowards. Your enemies, the messengers of Satan, are really not as bold as they pretend to be.

There is a trembling and a quivering in the devil’s host. In spite of all appearances to the contrary, the fear of us and the terror of us are working yonder before we arrive. They are just about to surrender if we fight manfully and faithfully in the wars of the Lord under the heavenly Joshua.

“The LORD your God He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” We will save ourselves a thousand sorrows if we hold this confession and conviction steadily and firmly in our hearts. All things in heaven and on earth are completely under His control and He is our God. The conviction led Rahab to seek salvation and refuge in the God of Israel. Her life had been sinful and unrighteous, she had sunk lower than many others in Jericho, but now through divine grace, she rises higher than all. And it was by faith (Hebrews 11:31). She desired salvation for herself and she had it. Then she also expressed concern and asked for the salvation of her father, her mother, her brothers and sisters, and all that they have. When we have real, genuine salvation, we will be eager and concerned that relatives and neighbours too will be saved.

THE CONDITION OF OUR SECURITY IN SALVATION

Joshua 2:14-21; Exodus 12:12, 13, 21-23; Numbers 35:26-28; 1 Kings 2:36-46; Acts 27:22-25, 30, 31; Romans 11:22; Hebrews 3:6, 14;         Joshua 6:22-25.

These two spies were not ignorant men in the ways of God. Though everything had not been done urgently, they were careful and thorough. These sent-out men were not novices in the assembly of God’s people,

No Bible-believing Church should send out new converts, novices or ignorant Christians as missionaries or preachers. All who are sent out by the leadership of the Church to do serious kingdom work must be well tested, dependable, mature Christians, who are spiritually competent.

These two men who were sent by Joshua knew the importance of seeking covenant protection in the God of Israel and had balanced knowledge of the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. They had clear understanding that our security in salvation is conditional. There is an “if” in being secured in salvation, under divine protection. “If ye forsake the LORD, then He will turn and do you hurt and consume you after that He hath done you good” (Joshua 24:20). “If thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9). “If ye seek Him, He will be found of you, but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you”  (2 Chronicles 15:2). “Toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness; otherwise thou also shalt be cut off” (Romans 11:22). “Whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:6). “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:14). “If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed” (John 8:31).

The two spies spelt out the condition of the security of Rahab and her household. What was the condition? “If ye utter not this our business.” “Thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window … and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee … whosoever shall go out of the doors … his blood shall be upon his head” (Joshua 2:14, 18, 19). Abide in Christ; continue in grace and obedience of His word, then will you be secured in Him.

CONFIRMATION OF THE ULTIMATE SUBJECTION OF ALL STRONGHOLDS

Joshua 2:22-24; Proverbs 25:13; Numbers 13:26-33; Psalm 47:2-4; Mark 6:7, 30; Joshua 21:44,45; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

These spies were different from the ten spies that brought an evil report many years earlier. Consider the contrast between them.

The Faithful Spies in Joshua 2                                          The Unfaithful Spies in Numbers 13     

1.  They reported back to the leader.                                    They reported back to the congregation.  

2.  Positive report of the courageous.                                    Negative reward of the cowardly. 

3.  They walked by faith and demonstrated confidence           They walked by sight and manifested unbelief that

       in God.                                                                               spread discouragement.           

4.  They were united in their testimony and report.                 There was disunity and discord in the team.        

5.  They said nothing about high walls and the strength          They spoke about giants and told the congregation

       of the enemy.                                                                       that they were like grasshoppers.           

6.  They confirmed God’s promise.                                       They contradicted God’s word.   

7.  They strengthened the leadership.                                   They weakened God’s people.    

8.  They left the decision for the leader to take.                      They made conclusion and decision for the leadership

9.  They contributed positively to Israel’s forward march.         They caused Israel to draw back.