Scripture to Read: Joshua 2:1–6
Joshua knew that God was with him. We read in Joshua 2:1 that before Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan, he sent two spies to view the land, especially to see how Jericho was fortified. The spies went to the house of Rahab, a prostitute, and stayed there. God doesn’t reveal why the two spies went to Rahab’s house; we can only guess that God led them there. What we do know, though, is that God was actively working so that His sovereign plan would be fulfilled. The king of Jericho was informed about the two men in Joshua 2:2, and the king sent men to Rahab (in Joshua 2:3) saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” Rahab had a decision to make: either turn the spies over to the king’s men or choose to protect them. Rahab chose to hide them, and in Joshua 2:4–5, she told the king’s men that the spies had been there but had left. She also encouraged the king’s men to quickly pursue the spies so that they might overtake them. We know God hates lying (Proverbs 6:16–19, John 8:44), but we find examples of those who lied to authorities to save lives, such as Rahab and the Hebrew midwives in the time of Moses. Some say, to protect the innocent, lying is acceptable. Others say lying is sinful but forgiven. Life is precious to God, so I say that protecting the innocent takes priority.
Challenge & Application
How does Joshua’s decision to send the spies show his faithfulness in God for the victory God had promised?
If you had to lie to save the life of a family member, a friend, or anyone else, what decision would you make and why?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!