Joshua Chapter 2

What's interesting about what Joshua does next is, that he sends spies into the land across the Jordan especially Jericho. I find this kind of interesting because this is exactly how Joshua came to the fore, where he met Moses, and Moses saw something special about him and changed his name to Joshua, from Hoshea. (Numbers 13:16) In fact the only difference is that in that instance God directed Moses, and in this one Joshua makes the call on his own.

So I think this would have been quite a nostalgic moment for Joshua, and unlike when he went into the land and had to convince the people that with God on their side they could take possession of the land, his spies came back with testimonies of God's provision and protection.

Guiding them to a prostitutes house, and how she protected them and helped them escape. While also telling them how to escape and that the people of their land were terrified of them, and how they escaped pharaoh and two kings who opposed them. Asking only that they spare her family.

Phew! That was a mouth full.

Honestly though it amazes me how accommodating our God is. He spared and chose a prostitute to be Israel's foot in the door into Jericho. Which is kinda of full of me to make that assumption considering he caught me while I was a sinner and atheist and and now calls me friend.

But from another point of view, Rahab was perfect, no one would have questioned at first why the spies went to her. She knew God and lived in the perfect location to plat an escape. So many things made her the perfect person.

So how does this apply to me?

I think partly it's a testament to how God uses the broken and lost for his Glory if they are willing to acknowledge Him.

In terms of leadership I think Joshua's attitude and direction in Identifying Jericho (v1) and sending spies into the land is a testament to him acknowledging that he needs to be Strong and courageous. And using not only what he saw in Moses but also his own experiences, and common sense.

Anyone else who was told to be strong and courageous might have just taken a troop of soldiers and charged the nearest walled city.

That actually seems more heroic to me somehow.
Maybe I have more to learn from this...