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Why Joshua sent two spies to Jericho? Joshua sent them to check
out the city’s fortification, because Joshua did not want to move ahead
without information, he also did not want to cause the people to stumble
and question his wisdom and ability to lead the nation.
Why would the spies stop at the house of Rahab,
a prostitute? 1) Rahab’s house was in an ideal location
for a quick escape because it was built into the city wall (2:15). 2) God directed the spies to Rahab’s house
because He knew her heart was open to God and she would be instrumental in
the Israelite victory over Jericho. God often uses people with simple faith to
accomplish his great purposes, no matter what kind of past they have had or
how insignificant they seem to be. Rahab didn’t allow her past to keep her
from the new role God had for her.
Rahab has faith that God simply asks
us to put our trust in Him and to do the best we know how. Rahab did that
and was commended for her faith.
3) Flax grows to a height of three or four
feet. Staked on the root, it made an excellent hiding place for the spices.
B. Declaration of Faith: Joshua 2:8-13
約書亞2: 8Before the spies lay
down for the night, she went up on the roof. 9 and said to them,
"I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear
of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting
in fear because of you. 10. We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for
you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two
kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11. When we heard of it, our hearts melted and
everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in
heaven above and on the earth below. 12. Now then, please swear
to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have
shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign. 13. that you will spare the
lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to
them, and that you will save us from death."
Many would assume that Rahab - a pagan, a Canaanite, and a prostitute - would
never be interested in God. Yet Rahab was willing to risk everything she
had for a God she barely knew. We must not gauge a person’s interest in God
by his or her background, life-style, or appearance. We should let nothing
get in the way of our telling people about God. Romans 1:16a, “I am not ashamed
of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone
who believes”.
C. Promised Protection: Joshua 2:14-21
14, "Our lives for
your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are
doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the
land."
15, So she let them down by a rope
through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.
16, Now she had said to them,
"Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves
there three days until they return, and then go on your way."
17, The men said to her, "This
oath you made us swear will not be binding on us
18, unless, when we enter the land,
you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us
down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and
all your family into your house.
19, If anyone goes outside your
house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be
responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be
on our head if a hand is laid on him.
20, But if you tell what we are
doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear."
21, "Agreed,"
she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away and
they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
Emmanuel God with Us (v.14-21)
Emmanuel God with us (v.14-21) Rahab and the spies agreed on
a plan. She had saved their lives and they would save her households.
Rahab
fulfilled her commitment to an alliance with the people of Israel. She took one additional
risk and lowered them out her window on a rope. She had committed herself to their cause
and to their God.
New
life: Rahab was a prostitute and she lied in order to save the spies. Yet
these sins did not define her. When the moment of decision came, how coverable
she responded to God in faith and she responded to God’s people in kindness,
loyalty, and bravery!
God’s
Plan: God sees each one and works through those who are willing to be part
of God’s plan in this world.
CONCLUSION: We need to see others as
God does! and offer grace such as we have received.
Think
about: Consider the way God could use you in an unlikely way to impact God’s
Kingdom this week.
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約書亞派他們去探城壘，因為他不願盲目前進，也不願讓百姓受損，懷疑他領導全族的智慧和能力。
為什麼兩位探子停在喇合妓女的家呢?
1)喇合的家建造在城牆上，容易逃走(2:15) 。2)上帝知道喇合的心已歸向祂了，她會成為上帝所使用的器皿，助以色列人攻佔耶利哥。上帝常使用信心單純的人來實現祂的大計，不管他們過去是何種人，或者目前是怎樣的微不足道，都無關緊要。喇合沒讓自己的過去影響接受上帝給她的新任務。
上帝只要我們信靠他，照自己所知道竭力而行。喇哈就那樣行了，因她的信心，得著了稱讚。
3) 亞麻長成約一公尺高，放在屋頂上，正好用來掩蔽以色列的探子。
B. 信心的宣告: 約書亞 2:8-13
8二人還沒有躺臥、女人就上房頂到他們那裡、9 對他們說、我知道耶和華已經把這地賜給你們、並且因你們的緣故我們都驚慌了．這地的一切居民、在你們面前心都消化了。10. 因為我們聽見你們出埃及的時候、耶和華怎樣在你們前面使紅海的水乾了．並且你們怎樣待約但河東的兩個亞摩利王西宏和噩、將他們盡行毀滅。11. 我們一聽見這些事、心就消化了。因你們的緣故、並無一人有膽氣．耶和華你們的 神、本是上天下地的 神。12. 現在我既是恩待你們、求你們指著耶和華向我起誓、也要恩待我父家、並給我一個實在的證據、13. 要救活我的父母、弟兄、姊妹、和一切屬他們的、拯救我們性命不死。
許多人以為喇哈對上帝並不關心；因她是異教徒, 迦南人, 又是一位妓女. 但她卻為這位她認識未深的上帝放棄她已有的一切. 我們不可按人的社會背景、生活方式和外貌, 來判斷他對上帝的心志. 千萬不要因為某些原因，使我們懷疑別人的敬謙。”我不以福音為恥．這福音本是 神的大能、要救一切相信的、.”-羅馬書1:16a
Ｃ. 應許保護: 約書亞 2:14-21
14, 二人對他說、你若不洩漏我們這件事、我們情願替你們死．耶和華將這地賜給我們的時候、我們必以慈愛誠實待你。
15, 於是女人用繩子將二人從窗戶裡縋下去．因他的房子是在城牆邊上、他也住在城牆上。
16. 他對他們說、你們且往山上去、恐怕追趕的人碰見你們．要在那裡隱藏三天、等追趕的人回來、然後纔可以走你們的路。
17. 二人對他說、你要這樣行．不然、你叫我們所起的誓、就與我們無干了。
18. 我們來到這地的時候、你要把這條朱紅線繩繫在縋我們下去的窗戶上．並要使你的父母、弟兄、和你父的全家、都聚集在你家中。
19. 凡出了你家門往街上去的、他的罪必歸到自己的頭上〔原文是血〕與我們無干了．凡在你家裡的、若有人下手害他、流他血的罪、就歸到我們的頭上。
20. 你若洩漏我們這件事、你叫我們所起的誓、就與我們無干了。
21. 女人說、照你們的話行罷。於是打發他們去了．又把朱紅線繩繫在窗戶上。
祂是永久與我們同在的上帝 (v.14-21)
喇哈 與探子同意一個計策，她必救探子的命，探子必保守她的全家平安。
喇哈完成了她對外來的以色列人之盟約，她更作一個危急的冒險用繩子從窗戶降下探子，她已致力為其主而作了。
New
life: 喇哈 是位妓女且她謊言沒看到探子而救了他們. 但這並不定罪她. 當在即時片刻，她對上帝有信心的回應，和回應上帝的子民以仁慈、忠誠、和勇敢的精神真可佩呀！
上帝的計劃: 上帝關照每一個預備與祂有份去順應祂在世上的計劃和工作的人。
結論: 我們要以上帝的眼光看人! 並助人一把如同我們得助。
想一想: 考慮上帝在不同之方式下，可用您來影響禢的國度。
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喇合：似乎不可能的伙伴 RAHAB ：The Unlikely Ally
