Joshua 2: Déjà Vu

Welcome to Chapter by Chapter, a Welcome to Chapter by Chapter, a four-year journey through the greatest four-year journey through the greatest four-year journey through the greatest book given to the human race, the word book given to the human race, the word book given to the human race, the word of God, the Bible. We get to go through of God, the Bible. We get to go through of God, the Bible. We get to go through it chapter by chapter, seven minutes a it chapter by chapter, seven minutes a it chapter by chapter, seven minutes a day, seven days a week. Join us each day day, seven days a week. Join us each day day, seven days a week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can and share it with others so they can and share it with others so they can join this journey that will be join this journey that will be join this journey that will be life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. places on the journey and be challenged. places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder. Some verses will create awe and wonder. Some verses will create awe and wonder. We'll have chapters that will be We'll have chapters that will be We'll have chapters that will be instructive and in others we'll find joy instructive and in others we'll find joy instructive and in others we'll find joy and comfort. We will occasionally be and comfort. We will occasionally be and comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in convicted and want to change, but all in convicted and want to change, but all in all the journey will be worth it. Once all the journey will be worth it. Once all the journey will be worth it. Once in a while we may take a detour on the in a while we may take a detour on the in a while we may take a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's journey and hear from some of God's journey and hear from some of God's servants on their favorite passages from servants on their favorite passages from servants on their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture. Let them give a chapter of scripture. Let them give a chapter of scripture. Let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a you their insight. Every journey needs a you their insight. Every journey needs a small detour occasionally. Best way to small detour occasionally. Best way to small detour occasionally. Best way to get the most from this podcast is read get the most from this podcast is read get the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before or the chapter we're discussing before or the chapter we're discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by Chapter and today's chapter is Joshua 2, Chapter and today's chapter is Joshua 2, Chapter and today's chapter is Joshua 2, déjà vu. déjà vu. déjà vu. The term déjà vu is a French phrase The term déjà vu is a French phrase The term déjà vu is a French phrase which means already seen. It carries a which means already seen. It carries a which means already seen. It carries a little more meaning for us today. It's a little more meaning for us today. It's a little more meaning for us today. It's a feeling of reliving a moment now that feeling of reliving a moment now that feeling of reliving a moment now that you experienced before.

you experienced before. you experienced before. You get this thought that this is You get this thought that this is You get this thought that this is awfully familiar, like we've seen this awfully familiar, like we've seen this awfully familiar, like we've seen this already. Joshua 2 is déjà vu. already. Joshua 2 is déjà vu. already. Joshua 2 is déjà vu. You're at the edge of the promised land. You're at the edge of the promised land. You're at the edge of the promised land. You're about to go to battle for your You're about to go to battle for your You're about to go to battle for your inheritance, but you must first send in inheritance, but you must first send in inheritance, but you must first send in a reconnaissance team, some spies, to a reconnaissance team, some spies, to a reconnaissance team, some spies, to bring back a battle report. Joshua 2 is bring back a battle report. Joshua 2 is bring back a battle report. Joshua 2 is Numbers 13 all over again, déjà vu. Numbers 13 all over again, déjà vu. Numbers 13 all over again, déjà vu. This is what got Israel in trouble This is what got Israel in trouble This is what got Israel in trouble before and got them 40 years of before and got them 40 years of before and got them 40 years of wandering because 10 of the 12 spies wandering because 10 of the 12 spies wandering because 10 of the 12 spies brought back a bad report. Only two men, brought back a bad report. Only two men, brought back a bad report. Only two men, Joshua and Caleb, gave a faith report Joshua and Caleb, gave a faith report Joshua and Caleb, gave a faith report that they can take the land. The 10 are that they can take the land. The 10 are that they can take the land. The 10 are dead, but the two are alive at the dead, but the two are alive at the dead, but the two are alive at the border once again, four decades later. border once again, four decades later. border once again, four decades later. That's when Joshua does the remarkable. That's when Joshua does the remarkable. That's when Joshua does the remarkable. He will not let déjà vu happen anymore. He will not let déjà vu happen anymore. He will not let déjà vu happen anymore. The new leader will make a bold move. The new leader will make a bold move. The new leader will make a bold move. I wonder if Joshua conferred with Caleb I wonder if Joshua conferred with Caleb I wonder if Joshua conferred with Caleb and said, "What do you think, my friend?

and said, "What do you think, my friend? and said, "What do you think, my friend? We are both in our 80s and can't risk We are both in our 80s and can't risk We are both in our 80s and can't risk another debacle like before." Caleb another debacle like before." Caleb another debacle like before." Caleb responds to his new leader, "I remember responds to his new leader, "I remember responds to his new leader, "I remember it vividly, Captain. And I even remember it vividly, Captain. And I even remember it vividly, Captain. And I even remember what I said 40 years ago and what those what I said 40 years ago and what those what I said 40 years ago and what those 10 unbelievers said. I said to everyone, 10 unbelievers said. I said to everyone, 10 unbelievers said. I said to everyone, 'We should by all means go up and take 'We should by all means go up and take 'We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely possession of it, for we will surely possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.' And the 10 responded with, overcome it.' And the 10 responded with, overcome it.' And the 10 responded with, 'We are not able to go against the 'We are not able to go against the 'We are not able to go against the people, for they are too strong for us. people, for they are too strong for us. people, for they are too strong for us. It's a land that devours its inhabitants It's a land that devours its inhabitants It's a land that devours its inhabitants and all the people whom we saw in it are and all the people whom we saw in it are and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size.' Caleb continues, men of great size.' Caleb continues, men of great size.' Caleb continues, "Those words will forever live in my "Those words will forever live in my "Those words will forever live in my head. I still believe today what I said head. I still believe today what I said head. I still believe today what I said 40 years ago, that this land is ours." 40 years ago, that this land is ours." 40 years ago, that this land is ours." That's all Joshua needed. And we read That's all Joshua needed. And we read That's all Joshua needed. And we read these opening words in Joshua 2:1, "Then these opening words in Joshua 2:1, "Then these opening words in Joshua 2:1, "Then Joshua, the son of Nun, sent Joshua, the son of Nun, sent Joshua, the son of Nun, sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, two men as spies secretly from Shittim, two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, 'Go view the land, especially saying, 'Go view the land, especially saying, 'Go view the land, especially Jericho.'" Did you see it? Joshua sent Jericho.'" Did you see it? Joshua sent Jericho.'" Did you see it? Joshua sent two spies. That's awesome. He learned two spies. That's awesome. He learned two spies. That's awesome. He learned that two are better than 12 when it that two are better than 12 when it that two are better than 12 when it comes to spying out the land. How do we comes to spying out the land. How do we comes to spying out the land. How do we know this to be true? Listen to what know this to be true? Listen to what know this to be true? Listen to what they said when they came back from their they said when they came back from their they said when they came back from their mission. This is verse 23. "Then the two mission. This is verse 23. "Then the two mission. This is verse 23. "Then the two men returned and came down from the hill men returned and came down from the hill men returned and came down from the hill country, crossed over, came to Joshua, country, crossed over, came to Joshua, country, crossed over, came to Joshua, the son of Nun, and they related to him the son of Nun, and they related to him the son of Nun, and they related to him all that happened to them. They said to all that happened to them. They said to all that happened to them. They said to Joshua, 'Surely, Joshua, 'Surely, Joshua, 'Surely, the Lord has given all the land into our the Lord has given all the land into our the Lord has given all the land into our hands. Moreover, all the inhabitants of

hands. Moreover, all the inhabitants of hands. Moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.' the land have melted away before us.' the land have melted away before us.' Two are better than 12 in the spy game. Two are better than 12 in the spy game. Two are better than 12 in the spy game. Where did they get the bulk of their Where did they get the bulk of their Where did they get the bulk of their information from? The most unlikely information from? The most unlikely information from? The most unlikely person, a prostitute who lived on the person, a prostitute who lived on the person, a prostitute who lived on the wall they will soon see God take down. wall they will soon see God take down. wall they will soon see God take down. They repeated the words of Rahab the They repeated the words of Rahab the They repeated the words of Rahab the harlot. Do you realize that the miracles harlot. Do you realize that the miracles harlot. Do you realize that the miracles you experience now fight for you in the you experience now fight for you in the you experience now fight for you in the future without you knowing it? Your future without you knowing it? Your future without you knowing it? Your testimonies are weapons against your testimonies are weapons against your testimonies are weapons against your enemies. This was the lesson of a enemies. This was the lesson of a enemies. This was the lesson of a prostitute. This is what Rahab told the prostitute. This is what Rahab told the prostitute. This is what Rahab told the two spies when they were hiding in her two spies when they were hiding in her two spies when they were hiding in her house on the wall. This is Joshua 2:8. house on the wall. This is Joshua 2:8. house on the wall. This is Joshua 2:8. She came up to them on the roof and said She came up to them on the roof and said She came up to them on the roof and said to the men, "I know that the Lord has to the men, "I know that the Lord has to the men, "I know that the Lord has given you the land and that the terror given you the land and that the terror given you the land and that the terror of you has fallen on us and that all the of you has fallen on us and that all the of you has fallen on us and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away inhabitants of the land have melted away inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard before you. For we have heard before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the how the Lord dried up the water of the how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Red Sea before you when you came out of Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt and what you did to the two kings Egypt and what you did to the two kings Egypt and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the of the Amorites who were beyond the of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any melted and no courage remained in any melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you. For the man any longer because of you. For the man any longer because of you. For the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above Lord your God, he is God in heaven above Lord your God, he is God in heaven above and on earth beneath." Their miracle at and on earth beneath." Their miracle at and on earth beneath." Their miracle at the sea was the ammunition to defeat the sea was the ammunition to defeat the sea was the ammunition to defeat their Jericho enemies, which reminds us their Jericho enemies, which reminds us their Jericho enemies, which reminds us that our answers to prayer now is that our answers to prayer now is that our answers to prayer now is fighting for you years into your future.

fighting for you years into your future. fighting for you years into your future. The children of Israel had no idea that The children of Israel had no idea that The children of Israel had no idea that the Red Sea crossing would melt hearts the Red Sea crossing would melt hearts the Red Sea crossing would melt hearts and remove courage in Jericho. Jericho and remove courage in Jericho. Jericho and remove courage in Jericho. Jericho was lost at the Red Sea 40 years was lost at the Red Sea 40 years was lost at the Red Sea 40 years earlier. I wonder if the 10 spies could earlier. I wonder if the 10 spies could earlier. I wonder if the 10 spies could have heard this report but never did have heard this report but never did have heard this report but never did because they were overwhelmed with because they were overwhelmed with because they were overwhelmed with avoiding giants instead of talking to avoiding giants instead of talking to avoiding giants instead of talking to the people on the wall. I personally the people on the wall. I personally the people on the wall. I personally believe the report was available to them believe the report was available to them believe the report was available to them but their fears brought them back to the but their fears brought them back to the but their fears brought them back to the camp too soon. camp too soon. camp too soon. My friend and pastor, Dr. Tony Evans, My friend and pastor, Dr. Tony Evans, My friend and pastor, Dr. Tony Evans, said this about Rahab. She made a said this about Rahab. She made a said this about Rahab. She made a decision against the culture because the decision against the culture because the decision against the culture because the culture had all heard about Israel, but culture had all heard about Israel, but culture had all heard about Israel, but she says, "I'm not going to align myself she says, "I'm not going to align myself she says, "I'm not going to align myself with the culture. I'm going to align with the culture. I'm going to align with the culture. I'm going to align myself with the Lord." And that day, myself with the Lord." And that day, myself with the Lord." And that day, Rahab became a woman of faith. She would Rahab became a woman of faith. She would Rahab became a woman of faith. She would let go of her ethnicity as a Jerichoite let go of her ethnicity as a Jerichoite let go of her ethnicity as a Jerichoite and be a woman of faith. And that faith and be a woman of faith. And that faith and be a woman of faith. And that faith changed her future. Her life trajectory changed her future. Her life trajectory changed her future. Her life trajectory would rocket into the New Testament. would rocket into the New Testament. would rocket into the New Testament. Rahab is mentioned three times in the Rahab is mentioned three times in the Rahab is mentioned three times in the New Testament. Each time she is New Testament. Each time she is New Testament. Each time she is highlighted for her faith and actions.

highlighted for her faith and actions. highlighted for her faith and actions. In Matthew 1:5, she's in the genealogy In Matthew 1:5, she's in the genealogy In Matthew 1:5, she's in the genealogy of Jesus. In Hebrews 13:1, she's in the of Jesus. In Hebrews 13:1, she's in the of Jesus. In Hebrews 13:1, she's in the Hall of Faith right after Moses. The Hall of Faith right after Moses. The Hall of Faith right after Moses. The writer skips Joshua and goes to Rahab on writer skips Joshua and goes to Rahab on writer skips Joshua and goes to Rahab on the wall. And then in James 2:25, she's the wall. And then in James 2:25, she's the wall. And then in James 2:25, she's put alongside the faith of Abraham. A put alongside the faith of Abraham. A put alongside the faith of Abraham. A former prostitute known for immorality former prostitute known for immorality former prostitute known for immorality and making a fast buck is now alongside and making a fast buck is now alongside and making a fast buck is now alongside Jesus, after Moses, and compared to Jesus, after Moses, and compared to Jesus, after Moses, and compared to Abraham. How does that happen? She was Abraham. How does that happen? She was Abraham. How does that happen? She was told by the spies if she ties a scarlet told by the spies if she ties a scarlet told by the spies if she ties a scarlet rope in her window, it will be a signal rope in her window, it will be a signal rope in her window, it will be a signal to the Israeli army that this home is to the Israeli army that this home is to the Israeli army that this home is untouchable. This is the home of Rahab. untouchable. This is the home of Rahab. untouchable. This is the home of Rahab. The Bible says in Joshua 2:21 these The Bible says in Joshua 2:21 these The Bible says in Joshua 2:21 these words, "According to your words, so be words, "According to your words, so be words, "According to your words, so be it." So, she sent them away and they it." So, she sent them away and they it." So, she sent them away and they departed and she tied the scarlet cord departed and she tied the scarlet cord departed and she tied the scarlet cord to the window. Her words sound so much to the window. Her words sound so much to the window. Her words sound so much like a woman of faith that you would like a woman of faith that you would like a woman of faith that you would hear in the Gospels, "According to your hear in the Gospels, "According to your hear in the Gospels, "According to your word." She heard about the Red Sea word." She heard about the Red Sea word." She heard about the Red Sea miracle. She knew God was real. She miracle. She knew God was real. She miracle. She knew God was real. She believed the words of two spies and now believed the words of two spies and now believed the words of two spies and now her whole life will change. It's amazing her whole life will change. It's amazing her whole life will change. It's amazing what faith can do. Rahab is now what faith can do. Rahab is now what faith can do. Rahab is now associated with the right men. She is no associated with the right men. She is no associated with the right men. She is no longer connected with the men of longer connected with the men of longer connected with the men of Jericho. She is now connected with the Jericho. She is now connected with the Jericho. She is now connected with the men of the New Testament. That's what men of the New Testament. That's what men of the New Testament. That's what faith can do.

faith can do. faith can do. Thank you for joining chapter by Thank you for joining chapter by Thank you for joining chapter by chapter. Every chapter from the greatest chapter. Every chapter from the greatest chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.