Week 3 - Day 1
Spies and Lies
Read Joshua 2:1-6
In preparing to enter the land, Joshua sends two spies to check out the territory, especially the city of Jericho. The Israelites’ reputation had preceded them as the king of Jericho heard that they entered his country and sent men looking to find them.
1. Why do you think Joshua chose two men to go out and view the land? (Refer to Numbers 13:16-33 and what happened when Moses sent the men to explore the land.)
2. What was Rahab’s occupation? Why do you think the Bible tells us this information?
3. How did Rahab intervene for Joshua’s men?
This passage at first glance is clearly filled with deception and lies; however, we also clearly see the amazing sovereignty of God in how these circumstances play into His plans. Isaiah 55:8 holds true in this story as God’s ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts are our thoughts.
4. How do you view what Rahab did in comparison to what you might have done in this situation?
5. In what ways, have you seen the Lord use similar situations in your life?
Pray about it: Dear Lord, You are so amazing in how You do things. You use the foolish to confound the wise. I pray that You use me today for Your purposes and Your glory. May I not determine what Your ways and thoughts should be.
Week 3-Day 2
The Deal
Read Joshua 2:7-13
Rahab stepped out and risked her own life by hiding the two spies. Although she was a woman with a dishonorable reputation, she demonstrated great courage and honor in her willingness to help God’s people. Instead of fearing the king of Jericho, she feared the God of the Jews.
1. What did Rahab “know” about these people she was helping? (verse 9)
2. What had she (and others) “heard” about the Lord and his people? (verse 10)
3. How would you describe the atmosphere in the city of Jericho at this time?
4. Describe the deal that Rahab proposes to the two men.
Rahab exhibits wisdom in this situation that is beyond herself. She gained that wisdom through hearing about these people and their God. Instead of rebelling, she begged for mercy. She not only asked to be spared, but asked for her entire family to be saved as well.
5. How do we gain godly wisdom?
a. Job 28:28
b. Proverbs 9:10
c. How do you understand the meaning of “fear the Lord?” Describe what this means to you.
Pray about it: O, Lord, thank You for Your mercy and for saving me from my sin. Help me to gain wisdom through godly fear and reverence of Your ways. Teach me to walk in Your ways and to honor You in all that I do.
Week 3 - Day 3
God’s Promises
And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Joshua 2:11
Joshua sent two men to the city of Jericho to spy out the land. Of all of the places they would end up staying, they lodged in the home of a harlot named Rahab. Once the king of Jericho heard of their whereabouts, he sent his men to go and find them, and the first place they went to was Rahab’s home. Instead of turning them in, she hid them and protected them from being caught. In return for her loyalty, she and her family were spared when the city walls of Jericho came down.
It is interesting to note that up until this time, she, nor the inhabitants of Jericho, had actually seen any of the Israelites. But, they had heard of them. They heard of their conquests in the desert and of how the Lord had parted the Red Sea. At this point in time, the Red Sea parting had occurred some forty years earlier. The fear of the Lord caused this response in Rahab; she knew which side she needed to be on. I love the fact that God had taken care of these two men, even before they got to Jericho. The Israelites were about to take over the promise land, not because of their strength, but because of the Lord.
The same is true for us today. As Christians, we are blessed to live in God’s promises. (The Bible is filled with His promises for us.) Sometimes, the new land is hard to see and even harder to walk through, but if we just step out in faith, we will see how God has taken care of every step we need to take. As the Lord leads you in His purposes for your life, you will see how He has prepared even those around you. And remember God clearly encouraged Joshua to “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) Take this message with you today and go forth in all that the Lord is leading you to do.
Week 3 - Day 4
The Scarlet Cord
Read Joshua 2:14-21
The spies are hidden in the home of Rahab as she protects them from the king’s men. However, in return for her kindness to them, she asked that she and her family be spared of the impending destruction upon their city. Rahab knew that these people served a God who had done miraculous works, as stories of their activities in the wilderness had already spread to Jericho.
1. Where was Rahab’s home positioned?
2. How many days were the men to hide out?
3. Using scripture, list two references to this number used in other situations.
a.
b.
c. What significance does this number hold for you?
4. Describe the arrangement for Rahab’s protection as instructed by the two spies.
Because of the upcoming invasion to the city, Rahab was instructed on how to protect her home. Anyone who found refuge in her house would be spared. Anyone outside of her house would be without any protection from the destruction that was coming.
5. How does this situation with Rahab compare to our refuge in Christ? What does the scarlet cord mean to you personally?
Pray about it: Dear Lord, You are my refuge and my strong tower. I run to You today to seek safety and security in Your Son Jesus. Thank You for saving me.
Week 3 - Day 5
The Lord Delivers
Read Joshua 2:22-24
Rahab agrees with the men’s plan and she places the scarlet cord in her window. The men do as she has told them and then run to hide in the mountain. They waited three days before leaving.
1. Why do you think these men waited 3 days before returning to Joshua?
2. Describe the report they gave to Joshua.
3. How did these men know that the Lord had “delivered all the land into our hands?”
4. Have you ever been in a situation where you knew the Lord was completely taking care of you, despite the circumstances? Explain.
5. How are you personally encouraged by this story of Rahab?
Pray about it: Lord, I love how You use everything in our lives to show Your power. Please help me today to see Your hand in all that is happening in my life. Help me to submit to You in all things, despite the circumstances, and to trust that You will deliver me from harm and danger.
* Editior's note: Eight of the 16 lessons are availble on Christianity.com. Click here to purchace the entire Daily Disciples Joshua study.
Taken from the Bible study Joshua and Used by permission of Daily Disciples.
Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc., founded by Tonilee Adamson and Bobbye Brooks, embraces a vision to reach the world for Christ by teaching others how to be His daily disciples. Their mission is to evangelize the lost and to re-awaken the saved to live lives empowered by the Word of God and His Holy Spirit, and to teach and to train those who desire to grow, to serve and to have all that God has for them…encouraging everyone to be a daily disciple of Jesus Christ. From Bible studies to daily devotionals to daily radio programs to a comprehensive discipleshipprogram, Bobbye & Tonilee have a passion to help others apply the Word
* Editor's note: Seven of the 16 lessons are available on Christianity.com. Click here to purchase the entire Daily Disciples Joshua study.
Taken from the Bible study Joshua and Used by permission of Daily Disciples.
Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc., founded by Tonilee Adamson and Bobbye Brooks, embraces a vision to reach the world for Christ by teaching others how to be His daily disciples. Their mission is to evangelize the lost and to re-awaken the saved to live lives empowered by the Word of God and His Holy Spirit, and to teach and to train those who desire to grow, to serve and to have all that God has for them…encouraging everyone to be a daily disciple of Jesus Christ. From Bible studies to daily devotionals to daily radio programs to a comprehensive discipleshipprogram, Bobbye & Tonilee have a passion to help others apply the Word