I. Summary
Joshua sends scouts to Jericho and Rahab saves them from the king. The scouts vow to save Rahab and her family when they return to conquer the land.
II. Photo
Rahab saves Joshua’s scouts: “She let them down by a rope through the window — for her dwelling was at the outer side of the city wall and she lived in the actual wall.” (v. 15)
III. Select Verses
1-4b: Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, reconnoiter the region of Jericho.” So they set out, and they came to the house of a harlot named Rahab and lodged there. The king of Jericho was told, “Some men have come here tonight, Israelites, to spy out the country.” The king of Jericho thereupon sent orders to Rahab: “Produce the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the whole country.” The woman, however, had taken the two men and hidden them.
9-11: She said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given the country to you, because dread of you has fallen upon us, and all the inhabitants of the land are quaking before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Sea of Reeds for you when you left Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings across the Jordan, whom you doomed. When we heard about it, we lost heart, and no man had any more spirit left because of you; for the LORD your God is the only God in heaven above and on earth below.
17-19: But the men warned her, “We will be released from this oath which you have made us take [unless,] when we invade the country, you tie this length of crimson cord to the window through which you let us down. Bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your family together in your house; and if anyone ventures outside the doors of your house, his blood will be on his head, and we shall be clear. But if a hand is laid on anyone who remains in the house with you, his blood shall be on our heads.
IV. Outline
1a. Joshua sends scouts to Jericho
1b. The scouts arrive at Rahab’s house
2-3. The king is informed and accosts Rahab
4a. Rahab hides the scouts
4b-5. Rahab lies to protect them
6-7. The Jerichoans are fooled
8-11. Rahab endorses Yahweh and Israel
12-14. The scouts vow to save Rahab and her family
15-21. The scouts leave and Rahab agrees to put a sign on her door
22. The scouts wait for safety
23-24. The scouts return to Joshua and give a favorable report
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Photo copied from http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/MDA2008/MDA2009/rope.jpg
