Sunday Sermon

Prepare Your Provisions
Joshua 2

Three men were planning to walk across the desert was considering what provisions to take with them.  The first man said he was taking an umbrella so that when the sun beat down he would have shade.  The second man said he was taking a canteen of water so that when he became thirsty he would have a drink of water.  The third man said he was taking a car door, so that when it got really hot he could roll the window down.

We’ve set out to take a walk through the book of Joshua and it’s time to “Prepare Your Provisions.”

Joshua 1:11 (ESV) “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan …”

In preparation Joshua sends out two spies, who are helped by a prostitute, and receives a stirring report, “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands …” (vs.24)

Read: Joshua 2

1.       PTP of Your Mind (2:1)

“And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’” (2:1a) 

• Last week … God said “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life.” (1:5)
• Why Spy? … Did Joshua not trust God’s Word?
• Was it less than faith he was walking by? (2 Cor 5:7 we walk by faith not sight)

Principle: “FAITH DOES NOT PRESUME ON GOD”

Presumption leans in the corner of arrogance.  Remember, the thought of “no man shall be able to stand before you” was for comfort not cockiness.  

• In reality (real stuff!) he was acting by faith!  (See: Numbers 13:1-2)
• Joshua was living and acting in faith according to what he had been commanded to do.  (See Joshua 1:7-8)
• Faith looks for the principles of the scriptures to stand upon and walk by.
• In sending out the spies, Joshua was preparing faith to be lived by.

1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)  Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

“Everything Joshua and the people were called to do, humanly speaking, was far beyond their ability.” – J. Hampton 

• The attention of the mind is to upon God and His Word … by faith.

Principle: KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PROMISE NOT THE PROBLEM 

• Prepare Your Provisions in the Mind!

2.       PTP of Your Heart (2:1b-21)

“And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.” (2:1b)

It is easy to get distracted at this point as all sorts of questions can be asked … “How did they choose Rahab’s dwelling?” … “Why a prostitute?” … “Why did she lie?” … “Is it okay to lie?” … “Is it okay to deceive others?”

Okay, let’s stop here and tell what the story is not suggesting … It is not suggesting “prostitution” is okay, or that lying or deceiving others is okay (Ex 20:16).  To say that would say God is not true to His own Word, and we know that is not the case.  And it is not suggesting we play “situational ethics” … that suggests moral or right living can be set aside for the moment if love is best served.  Don’t believe it!  Prostitution, lying, deceiving at all points is never right, but always sin.  Okay let’s move on! 

• So … Why Rahab? 
• This point in the story is like “rolling down the car window to feel the cool breeze!”
• God’s work of grace is always “amazing” isn’t it?  People we would never think of, God does!

I think the Bible Knowledge Commentary (Walvoord & Zuck) says it well …

How the spies chose the house of a prostitute named Rahab is not revealed. While some suggest they saw her walking the streets and followed her, it seems better to believe that in the providence of God the men were led there. God’s purpose for the visit of the spies to Jericho included more than securing military information. A sinful woman was there whom God in His grace purposed to spare from the judgment soon to fall on the city. So the Lord, moving in a mysterious way, brought together two secret agents of the army of Israel and a harlot of Canaan who would become a proselyte to the God of Israel 

• Prostitute to Proselyte … all God’s work of grace, as Rahab acted on faith to believe.

Principle: GOD CAN SAVE AND USE ANYONE

• Let your heart be encouraged!

Now here is an interesting point to take note of …

Joshua 2:8-11 (ESV) Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof ⁹ and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. ¹⁰ For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. ¹¹ And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.

The inhabitants of Jericho had heard of the Red Sea crossing … some 40+ years ago!  

• The Non-People of God were looking at God! (positive outlook)
• The People of God were NOT looking at God! (negative outlook)

Well the faith to act in favor toward the spies would be the same faith “to ask” for deliverance as well as to believe their word so as to encourage her heart and all who resided with her.

Joshua 2:12b “… please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, ou also will deal kindly with my father’s house …” 

• Let us be those who are able and willing to extend the “deal kindly” grace of God to others.
• Prepare the provision of heart to believe that God is and God acts to save by grace.

3.       PTP of Your Home (2:22-24)

The spies with the help of Rahab leave Jericho and bring a sound resounding report back to Joshua … “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands.  And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.” (Joshua 2:24) 

• Why Jericho?  … “especially Jericho” … it was a foothold as well as stronghold in the land.

The land and cities would become “home” to this generation … and it would be obtained and maintained by faith. 

• Jericho would be the first point of conquest and victory … “How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.”
• The land would be possessed by one victory at a time.
• Their faith echoes the faith of Rahab!
• Faith had established the victory before the fight!

Principle: WHAT GOD PROMISES GOD BRINGS TO PASS

From the mind, to the heart to the home, prepare your provisions for what the Lord your God has for you His people!  Go now and cross over!

Amen!