Joshua-Come Out of Hiding

[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. (Joshua 2:8–11 ESV)

Scripture: Read Joshua chapter 2

Devotional: 

Do you remember as a child, playing hide and seek? When a friend was counting down, you ran around in a panic looking for a place you could fit that would not be too obvious.  Someone always counted too fast and you were left with a not so good  hiding space.  When I was a teen, we adopted a new game of hide and seek outside at night called “ghost in the graveyard.”  This was like reverse hide and seek where one person hid and when you found them, you hid with them.  It was hard to find a hiding space big enough for a group of people to stay hidden. 

When you are a child, hiding can be part of a fun game.  Getting caught doesn’t require any serious consequences.  In today’s story, hiding was a big part of God’s plan in Joshua to save His people.  In last month’s post covering Joshua chapter 1, God supports a transition of leadership from Moses, confirming that He will be with Joshua as He brings His people into the land.  In chapter 2, our focus for this post, we see God preparing the way for the Israelites to come into the land.  His plan required hiding and revealing.  

Joshua chapter 2 contains a familiar figure to many who have a bible background—Rahab.  Forty years prior as recounted in Numbers 13 and 14, spies were sent by Moses to strategically to scout the land. Consequently, because of their lack of trust in God to conquer their enemies, that generation was not allowed to enter the promised land.  Now in Joshua chapter 2,  this same strategy is used before conquering Jericho.  The men sent to gather information about the city, choose a place near the wall to stay, a house easy to visit as a variety of men would also enter when going in and out of the city, the home of a prostitute.  This lodging was an attempt to blend in but in staying here, in the most unlikely of places, they encountered divine help.  The city manager had learned they were infiltrating the city and sent men to find them.  When it was discovered where they went, Rahab hid the spies, lied to her countrymen to put them on a false trail, and then aided the Israelites on how to hide from their pursuers.  

Though Rahab was a prostitute, there are signs in this chapter that she desires a different life.  On her roof she had flax, a way to be industrious apart from her other occupation.  Flax was used to make linen, a fabric used for clothing priestly garments and even burial shrouds.  She also had a close relationship with her family.  Upon hiding the spies, she makes an agreement that her actions will result on blessing her father, mother, sister, and brothers.  Additional evidence of her character is found in her statement of revering God.  In verses 8-11, she recounts her knowledge of what the Lord is doing-giving away her land as His fear has fallen upon the inhabitants of the city of Jericho.  She recalls hearing of the Red Sea miracle and how Israel had destroyed the kingdom of Sihon and Og.  

This same respect she has for God is transferred to the spies.  

Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will ll deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong the them, and believer our lives from death.   Joshua 2:12

The sign given by God’s people to this heathen woman is a red cord to hang in her widow.  Upon their return, this red covering will save her and all inside her home.  Like Noah’s family who was covered in the ark and saved from the flood.  Like the first born of Israel was saved at Passover by the red blood wiped with hyssop over their doorpost, signaling to the avenging angels passing over the land of Egypt that He had claimed this house. Scarlet like the blood what poured from our Saviors side as the spears and nails pierced His flesh. Red is a sign of salvation, a symbol of being marked and safe in God.  

As God showed kindness to Rahab, He shows kindness to us.  The redemption of Christ calls us out of hiding.  All who run to Him are saved.  The Holy Spirit applies the red ribbon to our home and we are claimed to be God’s space, safe and secure in enemy territory.  Like Rahab, we wait for a return, when He will once and for all destroy His enemies but have mercy on those who fear HIm.  

Reflection:

The spies were saved by an unlikely person in an unlikely place.  Do you believe that God is able to work in any circumstances?  What is an area of your life that you are struggling to believe this? 

In what ways is your faith like Rahab, where your only option is in God for a better life? What ways are you hiding the red ribbon, trusting in yourself? 

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