Category: Joshua

Joshua 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun sent two spies….So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
The story of Rahab the prostitute fascinates me. On the surface, it seems utterly random. How did the spies end up at her house? How did she know to help them, to hide them? Commentary on this chapter says that militarily, this mission did not really do anything helpful for Israel. But Rahab, through her actions, was redeemed from a life of prostitution. She was able to save her family. She ended up marrying a prince and was in Jesus’s royal lineage.
Joshua 2:4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they came from.”
This seems to me to be an example of leaving the 99 to save the one, an example of God’s plans for us being so much bigger than our own, an example of the beauty that can come from ashes if we are willing to take a chance on the One True King. Was Rahab afraid? Was she sick of her life and her choices? Did her family balk when she told them that in order to survive, they had to come to a house of prostitution? 
Joshua 2:9 …“I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the hope and promise that can only come from You. I like neat packages, all questions answered, everything tied up in a nice little bow, but that’s not the way You work. Thank You for helping me to become at least slightly more ok with uncertainty because You are with me. Thank You for Your fierce love and steadfast presence. Thank You for sitting with me as I study Your word. Thank You for drawing me closer. Amen.
Joshua 2:12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you….”
Have a blessed day.

Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and courageous….”
Many times I have used these verses in Joshua to give me strength and courage. Many times I have used them to encourage others. Four times in the one chapter, some form of “Be strong and courageous” is repeated. It’s hard NOT to be encouraged with that repetition.
Joshua 1:7 “Be strong and very courageous….”
Commentary on this verse says that the fact that Joshua needed to hear it repeated so many times was a sign of a flaw in him, mainly his need for encouragement. But don’t we all need encouragement? Is that weakness or human nature? And the encouragement leads to an important reminder—Joshua can be strong and courageous BECAUSE the LORD is with him, not because of anything he is or does. The constant reminder to be strong and courageous is a reminder that he isn’t doing this in his own strength, that God is with him.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong as courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You are with us and because of Your presence, we don’t have to be afraid. Thank You for the need for encouragement, which helps to remind us that we aren’t called to do Your work in our strength but in Your strength. Help us to encourage one another and build each other up as we point each other to You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Joshua 1:18 “…Only be strong and courageous!”
Have a blessed day.