JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 2:1 SHITTIM was east of the Jordan River, though its exact location is unknown (see Numbers 25:1). INTO THE HOUSE OF A PROSTITUTE. There is no suggestion of a sexual relationship between the spies and RAHAB. Her house most likely was a kind of inn or way station and a logical p... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 2:2 IT WAS TOLD TO THE KING OF JERICHO. Canaan was made up of various city-states. Each had a central city surrounded by villages and farmland and its own “king.” Many of the cities were walled. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 2:4 I DID NOT KNOW. The author does not pass judgment on Rahab’s deceptive response (compare note on 1 Samuel 19:14). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 2:6 FLAX is the plant from which linen is made. The flat rooftops of houses were convenient places for drying the stalks. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 2:7 The JORDAN River was generally impassable except by swimming or wading at shallow areas (or FORDS). One of the few places where the Jordan could be crossed was near Jericho (on Jericho, see note on 6:1–2). The king’s men probably hoped to catch the fleeing spies there. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 2:9 I KNOW THAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN YOU THE LAND. Rahab shows remarkable awareness of Israel’s history (see Joshua 1:2). The fact that she later “lived in Israel” (Joshua 6:25) suggests that Rahab experienced a genuine spiritual conversion. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 2:10 In Genesis 15:1 the Lord promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan after the wickedness of the AMORITES was complete. The term “Amorite” describes the inhabitants of Canaan generally, and the inhabitants of the hill country specifically. SIHON... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 2:11 AS SOON AS WE HEARD... OUR HEARTS MELTED. Compare Exodus 15:14. On Rahab’s apparent faith, see note on Josh. 2:9. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 2:12 WE WILL DEAL KINDLY AND FAITHFULLY WITH YOU. The spies’ response reflects the gracious character of Israel’s God. The distinction between Israel and Canaan was not based on race but on loyalty to the Lord. The general instruction to destroy the Canaanites (see Deuteronomy... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 2:24 The spies’ report echoes what Rahab herself said (v. Joshua 2:9). The good report of the two spies contrasts starkly with the bad report of the 10 spies 40 years earlier (Numbers 13:25). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.len... [ Continue Reading ]