Breaking Down Walls
The two spies that Joshua sent into Jericho were there to gather information for the coming invasion of the city, or were they? God soon destroyed the walls of Jericho and threw the city wide open. In hindsight, the reconnaissance didn’t seem all that necessary, but their visit was. Jericho’s walls were seemingly impenetrable, much like may literal and figurative walls keep us from spreading the Gospel. The story of Jericho teaches us valuable lessons on how God gets through to the people He has called.
Scripture
Joshua 2:1-15 ESV And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. [2] And it was told to the king of Jericho, “Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” [3] Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” [4] But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. [5] And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” [6] But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof. [7] So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out. [8] Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof [9] and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. [10] For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. [11] And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. [12] Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a sure sign [13] that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” [14] And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” [15] Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall.
Bible Study Questions
God’s Righteous Judgement
Why did God give the land of Canaan to His chosen people and order them to invade the land and destroy it’s inhabitants? (Leviticus 18:24-25)
God’s Faithful Love and Mercy
The people of Jericho were under God’s righteous judgement and they were died. Why did God save Rahab? (Hebrews 11:30-31)
Faith that Saves
According to Hebrews 11:31, Rahab acted in faith when she risked her and her family’s lives to protect the Israelite spies. How can we see that her faith is genuine from Joshua 2:9-11?
God’s Sovereign Power
What makes God’s destruction of the walls of Jericho, and His gracious rescue of Rahab and her family even more wonderfully miraculous? (Joshua 2:15, Joshua 6:20)
The Beauty of God’s Merciful Love
God may have sent spies into Jericho to save a sinful woman who had faith in Him, but He also used her to inspire faith in the people of Israel. How do we know that? (Joshua 2:23-24)
The Blood of the Lamb
How is the rescue of Rahab similar to the Passover, and how does that link her story to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?(Joshua 2:18, Exodus 12:13, Revelation 5:8-9)
A New Life
When we are saved by genuine faith, we become new creations and turn from our sin. What evidence is there that Rahab was not only saved physically, but left her life of sin and was saved spiritually as well? (Matthew 1:5-6)
Prayer
Dear Father God Almighty and most gracious. Thank You for saving Rahab, and for showing us that we are no better than her, and no worse as well. We need You and Your gracious mercy just as much as she did. Thank You for marking us with the blood of Jesus Christ and saving us from Your righteous judgement. Thank You that You have planned a life of purpose for those who You have chosen to save by Your grace. Please forgive our sin and help us to turn back to You, and serve You faithfully in the power of Your blessed Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
Once a slave to the fear and the darkness held within
O the weight of my sin, my shame
By His grace purified, in redeeming sacrifice
Living hope that won't spoil or fade
I am washed by the blood of the Son on the cross
I am washed by the blood of the Lamb
All my guilt, all my shame
Were His wounds and His pain
I am washed by the blood of the Lamb
Now we know who we are, precious children called by God
Let us serve and exalt our King
With our hearts and our minds freely offer up our lives
Run the race fix our gaze on Him
We will rise as He rose, for the grave no longer holds
Every tear will be wiped away
And the saints will be heard, praising God forevermore
Face to face with the One who saves
We are washed by the blood of the Son on the cross
We are washed by the blood of the Lamb
All our guilt, all our shame
Were his wounds and his pain
We are washed by the blood of the Lamb
Washed by the Blood - Citylight
Serving
God knocked down the walls of Jericho, not just in judgement of the sin of Jericho, but to get Rahab out and rescue her into the loving community of His followers. He did the same for Noah in the flood, for Lot in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and will do the same for the Church when He pours out His wrathful judgement on the world. Pray that God will help us to establish friendships with those who He has chosen to rescue, and give us the words and how to speak them as we share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.