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TWO MEN IN JERICHO

"The LORD hath given you the Land"

Aim

To show how the people of the Land were afraid of the Israelites but Rahab was not afraid because she trusted in God to save her.

Outline

Joshua sent two spies to Jericho. Rahab saved their lives by hiding them in her house. She believed in the God of Israel and He l(lter rewarded her for her faith.

Joshua 2; Heb. 11:31,. James 2:25

THE SPIES SENT OUT BY JOSHUA

Before the children of Israel could live in the Promised Land of Canaan, God wanted them to drive out the wicked people who were already there. Just across the Jordan was a city called Jericho, which had a very high wall around it. Joshua wanted to know more about Jericho and the people who lived there. He sent two men to search the city secretly. Joshua no doubt chose brave men, who believed that God would care for them. If the king of Jericho had found the spies, he would certainly have killed them.

RAHAB HIDES THE TWO MEN

The walls of J ericho were very thick and houses were built along the top. God led the two brave spies to one of these houses. In it lived a woman named Rahab.

Now someone had told the king of Jericho that men of Israel had come into Jericho to search the city. He sent soldiers to look for them. They came to Rahab and said, "Bring out the men that are in your house". But faithful Rahab had taken the two Israelites to the roof of her house. It was a flat roof and she had hidden the men under some stalks of flax (like straw) which were laid there. So Rahab said to the king's men, "Two men did come to me but I didn't know where they came from. When it was dark the men went out. I do not know where they went. Go after them quickly and you will be able to catch them". So the soldiers hurried away and the gates of the city were shut for the night.

RAHAB HELPS THE SPIES ESCAPE

How relieved and thankful faithful Rahab would be as she went up to the men on the flat rooftop. "I know that Yahweh has given you this land", she told them. "All the people here are terrified of you. We have heard how Yahweh dried up the waters of the Red Sea for you, when you left Egypt. Your God, Yahweh, is God in heaven above and on the earth ".

She asked them to promise that, when Joshua and his men came to fight against Jericho, they would not harm her or her family. The two spies made the promise, “You have saved our lives,” they said, “and we will save yours if you do not tell anyone about this.” Then Rahab let them down safely by a scarlet cord through the window and over the wall.

"Tie this scarlet cord to your window", the two men said, "And you and your family will be safe. You must stay inside your house when we come into the land".

Rahab then told the spies to flee to the mountains. They must hide there for three days until the search for them was over.

THE TWO SPIES RETURN TO JOSHUA

Thanks to the kindness of Rahab and God's care for them, the two spies returned safely to Joshua, their leader. They were able to tell all about the wall, the gates and the soldiers of Jericho.

More than that, they had found out that the people were really afraid of the Israelites. All the land of Canaan had heard of the many wonderful things the God of Israel had done for His people.

LESSON FOR US

God cared for both the spies and for kind Rahab. God has promised to care for us too if we believe His promises.

Last changed on Sunday, 24 December 2006
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