TWO SPIES, A LYING LADY, AND A SCARLET THREAD

 

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

TWO SPIES, A LYING LADY, AND A SCARLET THREAD

 

Joshua 2:1-24

Introduction:  This lengthy chapter gives an amazing story of two spies with the task of spying out the land, “even Jericho” (Judg. 2:1). This chapter has brought about a study of an important symbol from the Bible about an event that brought about eternal life when Jesus Christ paid the penalty for the sins of the “whole world” (1 John 2:2). That symbol is called the “scarlet thread” and is found in Genesis 38:28-30 two times and Joshua 2:18 one time. The curtains in the Tabernacle of the Old Testament had curtains made of “fine twined linen of “blue, and purple, and scarlet” (Exod. 26:1, 31, 36). Other items in the Tabernacle had “scarlet” as a part of it presentation. The “high priest” of Israel had an “ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen”  which was on his shoulder and held jewels with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (Exod. 28:6-10). The person afflicted with Leprosy (a type of the flesh) could find healing and the cleansing of the leper included “scarlet” for this event (Lev. 14). The “high priest” was representative of God and was the one who on the “Day of Atonement” (Lev. 16) secured forgiveness of sin for the nation with the sacrifice of two goats. It says in Hebrews 9:19 (KJV) For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people. There are many more activities which included the use of “scarlet.” The major one is the event of crucifying Jesus Christ by the Roman Government and Israel, the soldiers stripped Jesus of his clothing and put on him a “scarlet robe” (Matt. 27:28). After they “mocked” Jesus, spitting on him, and took a reed and “smote him on the head” (Matt. 27:29-30). Following the “scarlet thread” through the Bible it is evident “scarlet” is a symbol of redemption. We will see this in our study of Joshua 2 and there are other studies that could be pursued. For now, it is important to see how a young lady, a “harlot,” found redemption by the placing of a “scarlet thread” in her window. This “scarlet thread” finds meaning in Joshua as a means of the plan of God for saving people. More will be discussed about this later.

  1. THE ACTIONS BY JOSHUA ABOUT THE LAND AND JERICHO, Joshau 2:1-7. Joshua’s instructions to the two “spies” focus on Jericho, although he mentions the land. The instructions to the two spies would be referred to as a military word  “reconnoiter.” They were to evaluate the situation the people of Israel faced, and Joshua could plan his strategy of attack and conquest. What is interesting is he did not know God’s plan of attacking Jericho. The extent of the instructions is minimal and seems to be addressed to the first obstacle for the people to make their way to the place where the land promised to Israel could be entered. Evidently, they went directly into the city of Jericho. They found refuge in the house of a harlot, “Rahab” (Josh. 2:1). The reason this was not done in secret is what is stated in Joshua 2:2. It has been suggested that Rahab had evidently suspended her occupation as a harlot. The two spies must have been surprised when Rahab was willing to accept and hide them. The king knew they were in the city walls (Josh. 2:2). He then instructed Rahab to bring the men who were brought into her house. Joshua 2:2-3 is clear, indicating that many people were aware of the two men who had entered their city. It was also known that they had come to “search out the country” (vs. 3). Her response to the King’s request is classic. She hides the two men and then tells the King a lie about their whereabouts, since she has hidden them. She then said the men who were looking for the two spies who had fled should pursue them, which they did (vs. 7). This is a lie to tell the men about the two spies. There are incidents where sin is committed, and we know God is aware of it. One writer made the statement, “The lie of Rahab was recorded but not approved.” God never approves of lying. If she had told the truth, most commentators suggest the men would have been killed. God has a way of protecting His people and would have done so if Rahab had expressed the truth about their location. 
  2. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SPIES AND RAHAB, Joshua 2:8-22. 
  1. A.Rahab Protection of the Two Spies, Joshua 2:8-11. The two men were hidden under the “stalks of flax” (vs. 7). Rahab went to the two men, and the conversation is fascinating. She informs the two spies “. . .I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you” (vs. 9). Then she informs them that they heard the report of God drying the waters of the Red Sea and how God fought for them (vs. 10). The plural “we” is used suggesting this was probably common knowledge. The next statement by Rahab expresses the condition of the people in Jericho in Joshua 2:11 (KJV) And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. This information was what Joshua wanted to know, what was the thinking of the people about Israel’s presence. Remember they are still East of Jericho by the Jordan River.  
  2. B.Rahab’s Proposal to the Two Spies, Joshua 2:12-14. This section of the narrative is very interesting. Rahab was a Canaanite. Rahab has shared with the two spies how the people felt about Israel’s appearance and the record of their trip from Egypt to the Jordan River and poised to enter the land promised to them. The people of Jericho (and probably the surrounding people) knew the information about these people and they looked across the Jordan River and saw a huge group of people which would suggest a huge army. The Canaanites were descendants of Noah, and Ham was the father of Canaan (Gen. 9:22). The event of Noah’s drunkenness brought controversy between the three sons and Canaan was cursed by Noah over the incident of Ham seeing his father’s “nakedness’ (Gen. 9:22). The curse of Canaan is addressed in Genesis 15:16 (KJV)  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. The “Amorites” are grouped with the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, and Hivites, all people who were idolaters and pagans in their religion. The people of Jericho are part of the cursing connected with Noah and Ham. When we get to Joshua 6 we will see that God wanted to take the role of defeating the Canaanites of Jericho. The connection between the Canaanites and the people of Israel may have contributed to some of the animosity between them, as evidenced by Rahab’s description of the two spies’ knowledge of the Israelites’ power and influence, despite their being relatives from a long time ago. The section under study, Joshua 2:12-14 has another aspect and that is Rahab’s awareness of “the Lord” (vs. 12). She pleads with the two spies about her family and bargains with them about her help for them and her desire for them to give her and family some protection. She asks for a “token” (vs. 12). Joshua 2:13 brings out her awareness that the army of Israel would bring devastation to the city and its inhabitants. She pleads with them to “save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.” The two spies then give her an assurance based on her willingness to keep secret their presence “and business” then when God has given Israel the land, “we will deal kindly and truly thee” (vs. 14). There is a huge amount of trust between the two spies and Rahab.
  3. C.The Plan Between Rahab and the Two Spies, Joshua 2:15-22. This section is the heart of what will take place at the event of the invasion by Israel of Jericho.    
  1. 1. The barter for safety, vss. 15-16.  While we are not given any information about the whole discussion of Joshua and the two spies, there is some reading between the lines. The two spies knew there would be an invasion and Rahab anticipated one. Rahab appears to be well-informed about the comings and goings of the soldiers who were searching for the two spies.
  2. 2.The banner of safety, “the scarlet thread,” vss. 17-21. This section is one of the interesting solution between the two parties. Both want “safety.” One, the two spies, sought safety from being exposed to the Canaanite soldiers searching for them. Two, Rahab, seeking safety and protection for her family at the point of the invasion by Israel. The symbol of the “scarlet threat” has a symbol of safety and when connected with other verses, the word scarlet has some very interesting connections. The first time the word “scarlet” occurs in the Bible is in Genesis 38:28–30 (KJV) 28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first. 29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. 30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah. This was at the birth of twin boys to a woman who had played the “harlot” and had these two boys as a result of her lying with Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob and becoming pregnant. Her name was Tamar. Remember, Judah, was the “kingly tribe” of Israel where the promise of was given to Judah by his father at the blessing of the sons. Jacob said of Judah in Genesis 49:8–10 (KJV) 8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Note the phrase in vs. 9, which says, “Judah is a lion’s whelp.” Jesus is called in Revelation 5:5 (KJV) And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. This connection is emphasized when you understand that the twin boys were named, Pharez and Zerah (Gen. 46:12). These were sons of Judah and there is an interesting connection found in Ruth 4:18-22. Ruth had married Boaz and they had a child and named him Obed (Ruth 4:17). Note here that vs. 17 says that “Obed is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Now remember something about “Pharez.” He was born to a couple who were not married and therefore considered an illegitimate child. Look at Deuteronomy 23:1–2 (KJV) 1 He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord. 2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Lord. [Emphasis added.] Pharez was a “bastard,” and according to Ruth 4:18 he is in the genealogy of the future king David and the lineage of Pharez disqualified David from being King unless there were “ten generations” between them. Look at these verses in Ruth 4:17–22 (KJV) 17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. 18 Now these are the generations of [1] Pharez: Pharez begat [2] Hezron, 19 And Hezron begat [3] Ram, and Ram begat [4] Amminadab, 20 And Amminadab begat [5] Nahshon, and Nahshon begat [6] Salmon, 21 And Salmon begat [7] Boaz, and Boaz begat [8] Obed, 22 And Obed begat [9] Jesse, and Jesse begat [10] David. David was the 10th generation which enabled him to be king. Satan tries everything he can to stop the plan of God. Did you ever notice that when Jesus was crucified the Roman soldiers put on Jesus a robe described in Matthew 27:28 (KJV) And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. [Emphasis added.]
  1. D.THE ACCOUNT OF THE SPIES TO JOSHUA, Joshua 2:23-24. The two spies return to Joshua and recount what they experienced. Then it says in Joshua 2:24 (KJV) And they said unto Joshua, Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us. Folks, we have a book, the King James Bible that tells us all the things we need to know and it is a perfect, inspired, book that will give us all the information we need to understand the plan and purpose of God for us.