Joshua 2:12

_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._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

12._Now, therefore, I pray you, swear, _etc. It is another manifestation of faith that she places the sons of Abraham in sure possession of the land of Canaan, founding on no other argument than her having heard that it was divinely promised to them. For she did not suppose that God was favoring lawless intruders who were forcing their way into the territories of others with unjust violence and uncurbed licentiousness, but rather concluded that they were coming into the land of Canaan, because God had assigned them the dominion of it. It cannot be believed that when they sought a passage from the Edomites and others, they said nothing as to whither they were going. Nay, those nations were acquainted with the promise which was made to Abraham, and the memory of which had been again renewed by the rejection of Esau. Moreover, in the language of Rahab, we behold that characteristic property...

8-21 Rahab had heard of the miracles the Lord wrought for Israel. She believed that his promises would certainly be fulfilled, and his threatenings take effect; and that there was no way of escape but by submitting to him, and joining with his people. The conduct of Rahab proved that she had the real principle of Divine faith. Observe the promises the spies made to her. The goodness of God is often expressed by his kindness and truth, Psalms 117:2; in both these we must be followers of him. Those who will be conscientious in keeping promises, are cautious in making them. The spies make needful conditions. The scarlet cord, like the blood upon the doorpost at the passover, recalls to remembrance the sinner's security under the atoning blood of Christ; and that we are to flee thereto for refuge from the wrath of a justly offended God. The same cord Rahab used for the saving of these Israe...

Verse Joshua 2:12. _SWEAR UNTO ME BY THE LORD_] This is a farther proof that this woman had received considerable instruction in the Jewish faith; she acknowledged the _true God_ by his essential character _Jehovah_; and knew that an _oath_ in his name was the deepest and most solemn obligation under which a Jew could possibly come. Does not this also refer to the command of God, _Thou shalt fear the Lord, and shalt swear by his name_? Deuteronomy 6:13....

A TRUE TOKEN - literally, “a sign” or “pledge of truth; “something to bind them to keep their promise faithfully. The “token” was the oath which the spies take Joshua 2:14....

EXPOSITION THE OATH OF THE SPIES.— JOSHUA 2:12 KINDNESS. The original is perhaps a little stronger, and involves usually the idea of mercy and pity. This, however, is not always the ease (see Genesis 21:23; 2 Samuel 10:2). "It had been an ill nature in Rahab if she had been content to be saved alone: that her love might be a match to her faith, she covenants for all her family, and so returns life to those of whom she received it," (Bp. Hall). A TRUE TOKEN. Literally, _a token of truth. _The construction is that in which the latter noun often stands in Hebr

NOW THEREFORE, I PRAY YOU, SWEAR UNTO ME BY THE LORD,.... Which being a religious action, and done by men that feared the Lord, she knew it would be binding upon them: the Targum is, "swear to me by the Word of the Lord:'' SINCE I HAVE SHOWED YOU KINDNESS; by receiving them with peace into her house, and hiding them when inquired for and demanded of her; in doing which she risked her own, life, had this treachery to her country, as it would have been deemed, been discovered; THAT YOU WILL ALSO SHOW KINDNESS UNTO MY FATHER'S HOUSE; she mentions not herself and household, for if this was granted that would be implied and included; and this she presses for by the law of retaliation and friendship, for since she had shown kindness to them, it was but reasonable it should be returned: AND GIVE ME A TRUE TOKEN; that she and her father's house would be saved by them when the city should be...

2. THE SPIES AND RAHAB'S FAITH CHAPTER 2 _ 1. The spies sent forth (Joshua 2:1)_ 2. Rahab's faith and works (Joshua 2:2) 3. The escape of the spies and assurance given (Joshua 2:15) 4. The return of the spies (Joshua 2:22) The historical account needs not to be restated. Joshua, who was one of the spies sent out by Moses, now sends two spies to view the land, even Jericho. Jericho was the great stronghold of the enemy, surrounded by high walls. Jericho means “fragrance” and is a type of the world. (It is interesting to note that in the Hebrew Jericho differs in its spelling in Joshua from that in Numbers. Th

II. TWO HEBREW SPIES VISIT JERICHO AND EVADE CAPTURE. The narrative is inconsistent with Joshua 1:11, Within three days ye are to pass over Jordan. The events in ch. 2 must have taken longer than three days, for Joshua 2:22 tells us that the spies abode three days in the mountains; and with one day to go and another to return, five days at least would be required. This is an indication that Joshua 2 and Joshua 1 are from different sources. And perhaps Joshua 2 itself is composite. The narrative reads consistently if Joshua 2:15 is omitted, for we can hardly think of the conversation being continued between Rahab at the window and the spies on the ground outside the wall. 1. SHITTIM:...

AND. Note the Figure of speech _Polysyndeton_ (App-6) here and Joshua 2:13, showing the earnestness of the appeal....