Joshua 2:22-24

Joshua 2:22-24

[22] 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  [23] So the two  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: [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.

What does Joshua 2:22-24 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The "hill country" referred to ( Joshua 2:22-23) was probably the mountainous area west of Jericho. This area contains many caves in the "deeply eroded and lonely chalk hills" and many "isolated canyons cut through the 1 ,500 feet high] limestone cliffs." [1] The spies evidently were absent from the Israelite camp a total of three days ( Joshua 2:22; cf. Joshua 1:11; Joshua 3:2).
One of the major emphases in this chapter is God"s faithfulness. When the spies returned to Shittim with news that some of the Canaanites believed that Yahweh would give the Israelites the land, God"s people would have felt greatly encouraged ( Joshua 2:9-11; Joshua 2:24; cf. Joshua 1:2-3; cf. Joshua 1:6; cf. Joshua 1:11; cf. Joshua 1:15).
This chapter also shows that God will deliver those who seek salvation from coming judgment, regardless of their past or present sins, if they have faith in Him. Rahab believed Yahweh was the true God ( Joshua 2:11; cf. Ruth 1:16; 1 John 5:1). Her protection of the spies demonstrated the sincerity of her faith ( Joshua 2:6; cf. James 2:25). Her confidence about her preservation from the coming judgment rested on the promise given to her by God"s spokesmen ( Joshua 2:21; cf. John 6:47).
"If Joshua represents the Israelite male who finds guidance and success through faith in the LORD God, does Rahab represent his counterpart, the Canaanite female who also finds guidance and success through faith in the LORD God? In one of the most nationalistic books in the Hebrew Bible, does it not serve the purposes of the promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" ( Genesis 12:3) to place side by side with the choice of a military leader and his initial preparations for battle, the story of a foreign woman who believed and was saved without arms or bloodshed?" [2]
"The spies violated God"s explicit command that none of the people living in the land were to be spared ( Deuteronomy 7:1-6; Deuteronomy 20:16-18). Rahab, however, turned to God and sought deliverance. Her experience is proof of the gracious saving purpose of God. His overarching decree is that "everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved" ( Joel 2:32). This is one of the most dramatic examples of grace in the OT and is set in bold relief by the questionable aspects of Rahab"s profession and conversion.
"The salvation of Rahab is an example of what God would have done for others also. The king and the other citizens of Jericho knew all that she knew, but they did not turn to Israel"s God for mercy. The fear that drove her to beg for mercy drove them in their stubborn rebellion. Accordingly, the others are called "the disobedient" in Hebrews 11:31 ..." [3]
Contrast the response of the Ninevites in Jonah"s day.