I know that the spies only spent one night in this place, but I think that this story deserves more digital ink.
We remember that the children of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. 40 years is a long time. That walk was a tithe of the 400 years that they had spend as slaves. However, in the conversation that we are privy to in the book of Joshua chapter 2 we discover something amazing. Look at what she said to her two surprise visitors.
“I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
“Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”
Did you hear that? In her statement to these guys she gives a virtual history of the Jewish nation from Egypt to her present. She notes major events that had impacted her world. She also knows that her people are doomed.
She also gives a concise picture of the Israelite God that her people would have done well to recognize. She, beside the queer fact that she runs a house of prostitution, is putting her trust not only in these two, God sent, strangers but in their God (Hb 11:31).
It is fascinating to see God's tapestry being woven through the eyes of a prostitute. One who would eventually be saved from death and by God's grace become one of Jesus' great great grandmothers.
We remember that the children of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. 40 years is a long time. That walk was a tithe of the 400 years that they had spend as slaves. However, in the conversation that we are privy to in the book of Joshua chapter 2 we discover something amazing. Look at what she said to her two surprise visitors.
“I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
“Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”
Did you hear that? In her statement to these guys she gives a virtual history of the Jewish nation from Egypt to her present. She notes major events that had impacted her world. She also knows that her people are doomed.
She also gives a concise picture of the Israelite God that her people would have done well to recognize. She, beside the queer fact that she runs a house of prostitution, is putting her trust not only in these two, God sent, strangers but in their God (Hb 11:31).
It is fascinating to see God's tapestry being woven through the eyes of a prostitute. One who would eventually be saved from death and by God's grace become one of Jesus' great great grandmothers.
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