As we saw in the first chapter of Joshua, God chose Joshua to be a leader, and He expected Joshua to be bold in following the commands from God. It is no different today than it was in Joshua's time, for God expects us to study to know the Word, and then be a doer of that Word. That means to plant the seeds of truth from the Word where God places us. People follow the men and women who have strength and courage, and know what they are doing: That knowledge comes directly from the Word of God. Did you notice in that first chapter, fourteenth verse that the men of valor were armed and ready for battle. They were protected, and prepared for the fight that they knew would come. The knew also that the Lord was on their side, and God promised them the victory.

Likewise we are in a battle today in these latter days, and Paul has told us to prepare for that battle that is before us. The battle that we face in these end times is not with guns and tanks, but with words and ideas. Our battle is not with the things of this flesh age, but with spiritual wickedness in very high places.

Ephesians 6:10, 11 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." [10] "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." [11]

That's right, our battle is with the devil, Satan himself. And the only way that you or I can stand against Satan's deception is to be armed with the truth from God's Word in our minds. That is to know what to expect in these end times, and when the events of these end time happens, don't let it throw you.

Ephesians 6:12, 13 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [12] "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in that evil day, and having done all, to stand." [13]

That preparation starts with your understanding the entire plan of God, from Genesis to Revelation. Satan is coming, and he is coming as a savior of this world age of flesh man. Just as we must prepare for our battle against this spiritual warfare, God will protect and defend you if you follow His instruction, and arm yourself for the battle at hand. Sure our battle is a spiritual warfare, but the warfare that Joshua is facing is requiring him to follow God's instruction, just as we are to follow God's instructions. When we don't, there is trouble and a battle to lose, and Joshua will face that the hard way.

Satan is the prince of the powers of the air, and we must fight for the same rights today, and if we are to have victory in our lives, it requires discipline and courage. God protects us today, but He expects you and I to step out and do our duty, plant those seeds of truth, and help that brother in need. We have to be strong and have courage and prepare ourselves for the fight ahead of us.

Ephesians 6:14 -16 "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;" 14] "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" [15] "And Above all, taking the shield of faith, whereith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." [16]

Yes we are in a spiritual battle, and we girt ourselves with the truth of God's Word, which is our breastplate of righteousness. Notice that it takes preparation and study of the Gospel of peace, from which our shield of faith comes. Why do we need it? Because we are in a spiritual battle with Satan in these end times, and our faith and understanding of His Word is our protection that will stop those fiery darts of lies and deception from Satan from causing us to be deceived. So as we study these chapter in Joshua, keep in mind that they are about to enter into the promise land, and it is important to follow strictly the instructions that God will give the children of Israel through Joshua.

Joshua 2:1 "And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, "Go view the land, even Jericho." And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. "

As we start into this second chapter, remember what Paul told us in I Corinthians 10:11, 12 "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." [13] "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take he lest he fall." [14] 

The "ensamples" or examples that Paul was giving to us were those things and events that happened to Moses and Joshua, as they wandered through the wilderness and entered into the promise land. We are in the time of the end, and the serpents of our time that are out to destroy God's people are the Kenites, the sons of Satan who is the destroyer.

In that first time that Moses sent out spies, there were twelve, but there are only two that are going into Jericho here. They symbolize the two witness that will come in these end times. In this verse, the translators have called Rahab a harlot; "came into an harlot's house..." This lady, Rahab, was one of the sharpest business women of that day, and no different than a successful business woman of today. When a woman is successful in her business, pride causes men that are not so successful to undermine her character, and belittle her success. Rahab was not a married woman at this time, but she was a dealer in threads, and clothes. She was a specialist in making fine linen. We will see later that she hid the two spies under a crop of flax on the roof or her home, setting out to dry so they could be made into linen.

People from other cities that came to buy her product, they had to spend the night on the same roof that these spies slept, before their journey back home. There was no motel or hotel to stay in, in those days. It was strictly business. We notice from Matthew 1:5 from the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham, it states: "And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king; " [Rachab the Greek form; Rehab in the Hebrew form for this name.] This is the blood line that our Savior. and it came down through Rahab, and Ruth, both foreign women to the Hebrews, which is the blood line of Mary. Watch out for people that like to tare down people that are more successful than they are.

Joshua 2:2 "And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, "Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country." "

The king knows that the children of Israel are on the other side of the Jordan, and he is on guard against spies that the children of Israel will send into his down.

Joshua 2:3 "And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, "Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country." 

The people of Jericho were very much afraid of the children of Israel because they had heard much of what they did to other kings that opposed them. The king knew that God was with them, and built a wall of protection around Israel. However this verse shows us that even in this small community, the Israelite spies had been seen, but Rahab did not report them.

Again, before you take and convict Rahab as being a very loose woman, a harlot, remember that she was a business woman, much as a lady would be today selling yarns and cloth material. Her business was in the selling of flax, and as we will see in later, she kept the flax up on her roof, which was part of the wall of the city. Men came from all around to buy her flax, and the men folk of the city were jealous of a woman that proves herself more successful then they. Thus of course, rumors start out of jealousy, and the woman is branded falsely for something she not, a prostitute. In fact even in the church world today, men find themselves attacking the women who are led by the Spirit, and have the knowledge of the Word to instruct and teach in the Word of God. However Rahab knew the true God, the God of Israel, and she saw the fear of the children of Israel's God in the minds of her people.

Joshua 2:4 "And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, "There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were :"

You talk about courage, this woman Rehab certainly was no wimp, she took the two spies and hid them to protect them. She knew that Jericho would not stand before the children of Israel, when they had their God behind them. She told the king that sure they came to me, but I didn't know then who they were, or where they are now. She was in a little covert operation of her day.

Joshua 2:5 "And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them."

Rehab continued with her story, that when it became dark, the men went out the gate and into the night. I just don't know where they went. Then Rehab told the king, you send men out immediately, and surely your will overtake them in their journey. This lady could lead any intelligence agency today for she know how to set covert action into place. She is out-thinking the enemy, the people of Jericho as they stood right before her face.

Joshua 2:6 "But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof."

In the Hebrew text, these are "flax of stalks"; the flax is now ripe, and the time is just prior to the Passover. Friend, stop and think for a moment, you will never find a stalk of flax on the roof of a harlot's house, for she is in a different business that making clothe. That is hard work stripping the stalk, and making that fine linen. That is a full time job, and the two occupations just do not coincide with each other. It is easily documented in other writings that she was a maker of fine linen. So when you hear of Rahab the harlot, think of this fact of her true occupation, and you will see right through the error that the translators have branded her with, in their lack of understanding. You are talking about one of the ladies that God placed in the lineage of His son Jesus the Christ.

We are in the latter days, and there is a time coming when all of the people of our generation in this world age of flesh man will bow to Antichrist. Why will they be so foolish? Because they will be following exactly what other men will tell them to do. They will see the supernatural events taking place right before their eyes, and believe that what they are seeing is Jesus Christ returned. However, God will give Satan the right to do these things, as we read in Revelation 9, and only those people sealed in their minds with the truth, and that have understanding of the events will not bow to Satan in his role as the Antichrist.

Revelation 9:4 "And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads."

The seal of God is the understanding of the truth, sealed away in your mind [foreheads], so that you will not be deceived when Satan and his fallen angels come to earth to set up their five month kingdom (verse five). Just as we are about to enter into our promise land, Rehab knows that God is leading these children of Israel into their promise land, and she and now wall built by any man will keep this from happening. We are to be strong and of good courage, and pay attention to the facts and events that are happening right before your eyes. Rehab knew what was about to happen, and she knew that her world around here in Jericho was about to come to a close. She was making preparation for a life after the fall of Jericho, and making all the right decisions when she hid those spies under the flax.

God's Word is the most powerful thing in the world today, and when you study and come to an understanding of that Word, you understand that your purpose here on earth is to please God. He is our Father, and it is more important to please him than to please men. We follow His commandment, not the commandments and traditions of flesh man, and that is what Rehab knew and understood. She knew and came to understand the God of Israel, and she wanted to be part of what God had to offer. She wanted to be in that promise land with her own inheritance, and she wanted to protect her family also. As we read of the spiritual armor in Ephesians, Rehab had faith in the power of the true God, she had understanding of the times that she was living in, and she was girded with the breastplate of righteousness to prepare for the times ahead. She was a true warrior of God.

Joshua 2:7 "And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate."

Rehab told the king her covert story and the king bought the story, and the king sent men out to pursue after the two spies. After the men went out of the town, they closed and locked the gate so there would be no way to enter or leave the city that night. You know that God had blessed Rahab well for she had an abundant supply of flax to cover the two spies as they waited for her return.

Joshua 2:8 "And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;"

So before these two spies could go to sleep, Rahab was back home and came to the roof to talk to them.

Joshua 2:9 "And she said unto the men, "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."

Notice that Rehab had no doubt in her mind who the true God was, and she also knew that and understood that God had given Jericho and the entire land around them into the hands of the children of Israel. Rehab could see the terror that was going on all around her, and that all of the people of Jericho were scared stiff over what was about to happen to them. "I know that the Lord hath given you the land," there was no doubt in her mind. The word "Lord" in the Hebrew manuscripts is "YHVH" (Jehovah), so there can be no confusion who she is talking about. The people of Jericho become sick over the thought of you in their fear. This is exactly what God told Moses that would happen as they entered into the promise land. It is God that is causing this to happen, and Rehab's spiritual eyes are open to witness it. In Deuteronomy 2:25 we read:

Deuteronomy 2:25 " `This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.' "

God stated this before they even came in contact with any of the enemy.

Exodus 23:27 "I will send My fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee."

God sent this fear into the people of Jericho, and Rehab can see the fear in the eyes of her neighbors and friends. Rehab knew the true God, she had the faith in the True God, and she wanted to be under God's protection and not part of the fear that was all around her.

Joshua 2:10 "For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed."

She and the people of Jericho had heard how God had dried up the water of the Red sea, and the children of Israel came across on dry ground. These people had heard how the children of Israel had completely destroyed the Amorites and killed the their kings. In any battle there will be some that escapes the battle and flees to safety with the story of that event. God allowed this to happen, and even the thought of it happening in Jericho struck terror in their minds. Was it the children of Israel that destroyed them? No, God went before them and set the conditions in the enemies mind to where they could not defend themselves. God prearranges every thing that happens of importance that allows for His plan to be fulfilled. It is no different today than it was in Joshua's day. There are conditions to receiving His protection though, and that is that we love Him and are obedient to His Word the best that we can.

Joshua 2:11 "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."

Rahab is reminding these two spies how the reputation of the children of Israel and their God had gone before them, and caused panic in the minds of all those living in the land that was before them. This is that foreign business talking, and she is saying that their God is the God over all heaven, and the earth beneath. She is declaring that the true God is her God also. She is a follower and she loved YHVH her God. Now do you still believe that she was running a whore house in Jericho? I think not. Sure she was unmarried at this point in time, but we know who she married, for it was Salmon the father of Boaz, the husband of Ruth. Matthew 1:5 lets us know this. How do you think God looks down on those who call the grandma of His Son, Jesus Christ, a harlot? Rahab loved God and God made her prosperous.

Joshua 2:12 "Now therefore, I pray you, sware unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:"

Rahab is a true business woman, for she is making these spies sware by YHVH the only true God, and the God of Israel that the same kindness that she showed them, would be shown to her and her family. She did not ask them to sware on their own names, but by the name of YHVH, and this is the mark of a believer, and one run by faith.

Joshua 2:13 "And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death."

Remember that the name Joshua, is the name Jesus in the English, and she is asking for the lives of her entire family before she mentions herself. Rahab knew absolutely that God was going to destroy the entire city of Jericho. She was a woman of compassion for her family. She was a believer of the creator.

Joshua 2:14 "And the men answered her, "Our live for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee." "

The two spies have set this condition for Rahab to follow, and if she kept her part of the agreement, they swore by the creator YHVH that they would keep theirs and deal kindly with her. We sware that we will do all that you have requested for your family.

Joshua 2:15 "Then she let them down by the cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall."

When Rahab let these two spies of the children of Israel out of her window they were automatically outside the city wall. It's night, and the men sent to bring them out are heading for the river, so they would have to head in another direction. This "cord" was a rope, but why would she have a rope hanging out of her window? Rahab was well prepared for this time, and she is giving orders to the spies so their lives will be saved.

Joshua 2:16 "And she said unto them, "Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way." "

Rahab knew the area very well and she knows how long these men would pursue after these spies before they return to Jericho. She was a woman of God, and she knew the times that she was living in. She had everything well in control. Rahab was the one in the first place that sent the pursuers off on their wild goose chase, and she knew that they would give up in three days and head home.

Joshua 2:17 "And the men said unto her, "We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us sware."

The spies are telling Rahab here for the last time, if anything goes wrong, it will not be on our heads, but yours. We intend to fulfill our part of the agreement to the very letter.

Joshua 2:18 "Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee."

The scarlet thread or line was not the thing that would save Rahab and her family, but it was a token or the promise made, and her willingness to follow the instructions faithfully is what would save Rahab's entire family. Anyone not willing to come under that scarlet thread or rope, and remain there to the very end of the destruction of the city, would not be under that protection. If one member of the family did not obey her, and wandered into the streets when the Israelites were taking the city, they would be destroyed right along with the king and the rest of the city.

This rope was scarlet because it was precious died linen made into a rope, the threads that she made the line from was strong. As the men were standing there holding on to the red rope before their departure, of course the attention at that moment was Rahab's rope made from her own linen. The men told here to take the line that was red, and hang it in your window. When the soldiers came into the city, they would have orders to protect the lady behind the scarlet thread or rope. It is from this scarlet thread lady came the red thread people know as the house of Ulster.

This was no accident that that red rope was there, for that was her business, and the coloring of the rope was part of that business. This is another proof that she truly was a business woman, and not a loose woman of the night. Ladies of the night don't have the faith and commitment that Rahab had, and she was a woman of character. People mislabeled her, and the bible translators gave no more thought than to carry on the error of this woman's character, for that is what man's traditions do, they take a lie and repeat it until it becomes accepted without thought. The business men in the area called Rahab a whore, and that is what she was know by; its no different than it is today. Friend, God gave you a mind to think with, and I hope this chapter gives another light as to how fine this lady Rahab was.

Joshua 2:19 "And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him."

The spies are going over for the second time so there can be no misunderstanding of the conditions. That if anyone you have asked us to save goes outside the house with the scarlet thread, and they are killed, their death shall not be on our heads. We are going to take care of everyone within your house. This is the same as it is within God's house.

The house of our day is the many membered body of Christ, and our protection come at the hand of our Kinsman Redeemer. That was the many membered temple that Christ rebuilt in three days, for He was the Temple. If you stay in that house of Christ, under that scarlet thread of His Blood, then you will have all the protection that God will give you, but when you by your own accord stray out from under the blood of Christ, it was by your own choosing. Sure at times we can drift out of that protection, and when we do, you can count on something not going right. Friend, that is the way of the world. You are protected as long as you stay under and within the body of Christ, that God prepared for you. Stay in the house and the Holy Spirit is with you, and when you leave, you come out from that protection.

Joshua 2:20 "And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear."

These are the conditions, and if you reveal these conditions to anyone that we are free from the oath that we made with you.

Joshua 2:21 "And she said, "According unto your words, so be it." And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window."

Immediately after the two spies departed Rahab put that scarlet line into the window and she left it there.

Joshua 2:22 "And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not."

The spies followed Rahab's advise to the letter, and just as Rahab said, these pursuers returned home after three day, when they could not find the two men of Israel.

Joshua 2:23 "So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:"

So these two witnesses, the spies returned to Joshua, and told him the full story of Rahab, and the protection she gave them. They told Joshua about the agreement that was struck between them and her, for the protection of her family. It was so prearranged that these two spies would have died had they not followed Rahab's instructions to the letter. God was very much pleased with this woman, even to the point of choosing her to be in the lineage of His Son, Jesus.

Joshua 2:24 "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." 

This statement is very dangerous, for in this statement the glory is put on "us", and not the Lord. Sure the country was afraid of the children of Israel, but the reason was not because of the Israelites, but because of their God that went before them, and made the way passable. He parted the Red sea, killed the enemies, gave them food when there was not, and water that came right out of the rock. The fear was because of YHVH, Jehovah their heavenly Father that cared and provided for their needs, and gave them an inheritance through their father Abraham. God kept His promises to His faithful servants, and that put fear into the hearts and minds of the enemy.

Now ask yourself again, is it because of "us", or because God had His hand on "us", and gave "us" the protection. Never take credit for God's work, He gave you the gifts to get the job done that had to be done, and He expects to get all the honor and glory from your obedience to Him.

Revelation 9:4 "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created."

Do you get it? God created this entire universe and put it under his control. He created you, and allowed you to work in His created universe. He put within you the abilities that you have, and instructed you through His Word exactly what He wants you to do for Him, and when this is all over, He has a inheritance that will be yours just for loving Him and being obedient to Him. However, all the glory and honor and power that is here in this earth age of flesh man is reserved not for you, but for our Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the one that paid the price, when not one of those created beings was perfect enough to be the sacrifice for the sins we commit; and that is why we must give our Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father all the credit for anything that we have. Rahab knew the glory and honor of the God of the heaven, yet these two spies are still focusing on themselves as being the power that is putting fear into the minds of their enemies.