Comments on Joshua 2 v1 Notice here that Joshua's use of spies is purely military. In the case with Moses, the spies reported back to all of Israel and that ended up a disaster. But in this case, the spies are only reporting back to Joshua. The matter of the imminent invasion of Canaan is one that is settled, so the circumstances are quite different between the two spy episodes. That the two spies go into a harlot's house might seem somewhat questionable, but at the same time it was probably a common practice for travelers to solicit these kinds of establishments. So, the spies might have been trying to go under the cover of being "out for a good time" as opposed to spying. The more important question in my mind is, "What does Rahab's presence and house of ill repute say about Jericho?" If the spies could enter the city and locate the house of ill repute with ease, then it couldn't have been a well-guarded secret. So, the house was operating at least fairly openly if not publicly advertised. This necessarily implies that Jericho at the very least tolerated and at the worst condoned and openly supported such activities within its walls. It is also reasonably certain that Rahab's family is aware of her profession as they are in the city but do not live with her, and they obviously haven't persuaded her not to be in the line of work she is in. We know from previous descriptions of the Canaanites that they were a lascivious people, and Jericho is obviously no exception. Jericho was a city that embraced sexual immorality, and hence was ripe for destruction. v2 Israel's reputation as unstoppable invaders is well-known (recall the Balam and Balak episode) hence the worries of the inhabitants of Jericho and the substance of v. 9-11. v9-11 Rahab, and the rest of the inhabitants of Jericho, know of the fame of Israel and their military might. But in this case, only Rahab is in fear of the God of the Israelites enough that it brings her into humility and therefore fear of God. That it was Rahab who was the only one in the city who feared God is a poignant polemic against the men of Jericho as prostitutes are typically the most debased and abused women in society. The insinuation is Rahab's lack of patriotism is due to the abuse she has received at the hands of the men of Jericho, hence her willingness to harbor and protect the spies from Israel in exchange for a promise of protection. Why else would she sell them out so willingly, had she not been treated poorly? v12-14 Rahab desires a quid pro quo exchange of their lives for her and her family. v15-20 The spies agree to Rahab's offer, but look at all of the conditions they impose upon her. The conditions show how seriously these people took their oaths, and the keeping of their word. The spies know how difficult it will be to protect one family in the midst of an onslaught so they are extra careful to make sure they are off the hook in the event Rahab cannot get her family together. v22-23 Rahab keeps her word and the advice she gave the spies was good, so the spies are spared and return to Joshua. v24 The spies report the substance of v. 9-11 to Joshua and he perceives that Jericho's morale is low. He recognizes the Lord's hand in this matter, in that He has caused fear to come upon them all, cp. Ex. 22:27. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.