Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 1:10-20
New Testament Reading – Hebrews 11:30-40
Victorious Christian Living
“God’s Sovereignty and Mercy”
Joshua 2:1-24
The historical events of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, their 40-years of wandering in the wilderness, and their entrance into the Promised Land constitute one of the greatest Old Testament examples of the Christian’s pilgrimage.
- Egypt is a “type” of the world in which we live and the systems by which the world operates – the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. So, to be saved is to be delivered from our slavery to a life of sin, selfishness, and servants of Satan.
- The Crossing of the Red Sea describes that dramatic encounter with the Lord that each new believer experiences as God reveals His mighty power to make a way when there seems to be no way. Seeing the evidence of God’s power, the believer turns from the world and begins their new journey with Jesus.
- The events at Kadesh-Barnea illustrate the new believer’s first real test of faith. Salvation was a gift of God’s grace, freely given to those who received it by faith. However, to enter into the full and meaningful life God has promised, the believer must not only trust in God, but they also must obey, put on the full armor of God, and do battle with the enemies that hinder them from achieving the Victorious Christian Life. It is at this point that many believers compromise with Satan, settle for the “good life” Satan offers them, rather than the best life God desires for them.
- Therefore, for the Christian, Canaan is the Victorious Christian Life God has promised to those who will forsake this world and follow Him – not a partial acceptance of Christ as their Savior, so they can go to heaven when they die, but a full surrender unto Him as Lord, so they can live for Him until they die.
- The Victorious Christian Life is a life of victory over sin, self, and Satan. Being saved by the grace of God, we have been reconciled unto God by the death of His Son, so we are free from the penalty of sin.
- However, as long as we live in this wicked world, we will still face the temptation to sin, so to live the Victorious Christian Life is to live a life that is free from the power of sin.
- Romans 6:14 – “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”.
- Romans 8:2 – “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
- John 10:10 – “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
- John 15:11 – “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
- In 1 John 3:2, the Apostle said that on the day of the rapture, those who were truly born again will be immediately transformed into the likeness of the resurrected Lord Jesus, and taken to heaven to enjoy our intimate fellowship with God forever. However, until that day, Christians have a calling to fulfill.
- We are to make disciples of all nations –
- We are to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit –
- We are to grow in sanctification –
- We are to be living witnesses of the power of God who has delivered us from “Egypt.”
- We are to show others not only how to be saved but also how to live the Victorious Christian Life.
Back in chapter 1:12-15, Joshua described how the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh chose to settle on the East side of the Jordan River, where the land was lush and perfect for the raising of large herds of sheep and other livestock.
- Even though the men of these tribes led the army of Israel into Canaan, their decision was very costly. By settling for what looked “good” they forfeited the “best”, i.e., the blessings of living in the Promised Land.
- The New Scofield Study Bible refers to them as “carnal Christians,” those who acknowledge their need for God but are so attracted to the things of the world, they forfeit God’s best.
- According to 2 Kings 13-20, when Assyria invaded Israel in 733 BC, these were the first people to be taken captive.
In Chapter 1:10-11, Joshua instructed the officers to tell the people to make provisions for themselves, “for within three days you will cross over this Jordan.” In that “delay,” we see an example of God’s sovereignty and God’s mercy in the story of Rahab.
1. The Ruse – Joshua 2:1-7 – Vs. 1 – “Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there.”
- Jericho was a “walled city” – the backs of the houses of the poor people formed a wall around the city, and the houses of the rich and well-to-do were on the inside.
- By God’s direction, the two spies were able to get inside the city of Jericho, and they were led to the house of Rahab, who was a harlot, i.e., she participated in sexual activity for money.
- Evidently, someone had warned the city leaders about these two spies and why they were in Jericho, for the first place they came to find them was in Rahab’s house.
- However, Rahab lied to the city leaders twice – she agreed that the men had been there but, they were gone, and she said if they hurried to look for them, they could probably fine them, when, in fact, she had hidden them on her roof.
- What Rahab did was morally wrong, but in war, the deception of the enemy is within the arsenal of weapons.
- Evidently, God viewed it as an “act of faith,” for she is recognized in the New Testament as a model of faith and listed in the lineage of the Lord Jesus.
2. The Request – Joshua 2:8-14 – Vs. 12-13, “Since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”
- Rahab recognized Yahweh or Jehovah, not only as the God of Israel but the God of heaven above and earth beneath.
- Rahab recognized that the God these two men worshipped had the power to do whatever He chose to do, and if they asked Him, He would save her and her family from certain death.
3. The Rope – Joshua 2:15-21 – Vs. 18-19 – “You bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home.”
- Only those who were in the house “marked with the scarlet cord” at the time of the battle would be saved. Therefore, while the provision for their salvation had been made, it also required Rahab’s faith and obedience.
- That scarlet cord was a symbol of the blood of Jesus, and it served the same purpose as the blood that was splattered on the lintel and doorposts of the Israeli’s homes in Egypt.
- Just as Joshua would be a savior for Rahab but a judge for the rest of Jericho, Jesus is the Savior for those who trust in Him, but also the judge for those who reject God’s offer of grace.
4. The Return – Joshua 2:22-24 – Vs. 24 – “And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.”
- Joshua waited three days before entering Canaan because God knew there was a harlot in Jericho who needed to be saved. This shows God’s sovereignty and God’s mercy.
- Hebrews 11:31 – “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
- James 2:25 – “Was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
- In Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus, he wrote that “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab.” From a harlot to a hero of the faith and in the lineage of the Lord Jesus.
