We Will Be Responsible

Joshua 2:15-24 from the NET Bible

2:15 Then Rahab let them down by a rope through the window. (Her house was built as part of the city wall; she lived in the wall.) 2:16 She told them, “Head to the hill country, so the ones chasing you don’t find you. Hide from them there for three days, long enough for those chasing you to return. Then you can be on your way.” 2:17 The men said to her, “We are not bound by this oath you made us swear unless the following conditions are met: 2:18 When we invade the land, tie this red rope in the window through which you let us down, and gather together in your house your father, mother, brothers, and all who live in your father’s house. 2:19 Anyone who leaves your house will be responsible for his own death – we are innocent in that case! But if anyone with you in the house is harmed, we will be responsible. 2:20 If you should report what we’ve been up to, we are not bound by this oath you made us swear.” 2:21 She said, “I agree to these conditions.” She sent them on their way and then tied the red rope in the window. 2:22 They went to the hill country and stayed there for three days, long enough for those chasing them to return. Their pursuers looked all along the way but did not find them. 2:23 Then the two men returned – they came down from the hills, crossed the river, came to Joshua son of Nun, and reported to him all they had discovered. 2:24 They told Joshua, “Surely the Lord is handing over all the land to us! All who live in the land are cringing before us!”

1. What happened in the text?
2. What do I learn about God?
3. What should I do about it?

1. What happened in the text?
   • Rahab lets the men out of her house in the city wall by a rope in the window
   • She tells them to hide in the hill country for 3 days, until their pursuers return to the city
   • They require her to follow their instructions upon their return:
   • She is to tie a red rope in the same window, and gather with her household
   • Only those in her house will be saved; if any there are harmed, the spies will be responsible
   • They tell her if she reports them, the oath is broken, and she agrees to the conditions
   • She sends them off, tying the red rope as instructed
   • They follow her directions, and are missed by the searchers as she expected
   • The two spies return to Joshua, reporting back & confident that God is giving them the land
2. What do I learn about God?
   • If any of these instructions came directly from God, the text doesn’t say so.
   • So I think God is able to use best efforts from humans
   • Whether God made them perceptive enough, or gave the plan directly, it worked
   • God wants his people to work together (I’m considering Rahab one of God’s people – seems demonstrated in the story so far, and I know how the story ends).
   • When God is accomplishing something, people can tell … at least in this case!
3. What should I do about it?
   • Not grasping at hearing God so much as focusing on submitting to God
   • Be confident in God’s ability to use me and others in the necessary ways
   • Rely on God’s ability to make the end result right, and do the best I can (this only works, I think, if I’m actually focusing on submitting to God – the spies are submitted to God, at least through Joshua proxy, while Rahab is submitting to God based on her understanding of what He is doing and who His people are.)
   • Look to cooperate not just with Christ followers I already know, but with ones outside my community.
   • Look for people who will be Christ followers
   • Talk about where I’m seeing God accomplishing something