Mission Accomplished

O. T. #445  "Mission Accomplished"
January 22, 2015
Joshua 2-Part 5
And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land: for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.  Joshua 2:24

LET IT GLOW

Doesn't it feel good when you finish a project, complete a task, accomplish what you set out to accomplish? The two spies had accomplished their mission of spying out the land and Jericho before the Israelites went to conquer the Promised Land. Where did we leave off?

It was time to head back to camp after spending three days in the mountains. Down the hills, across the river, then the spies went directly and safely to Joshua, their commander. They told Joshua everything that had happened to them under God's great care. Stop.

Where is that luscious fruit, the report on the giant people, strong armies, and walled cities? It is not recorded here as being part of the report of the spies who went into Canaan, some 40 years after Joshua.

What was their report? The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us. 

The spies returned with a word that God had already promised: The LORD has delivered all the land into our hands. Their faith sharply contrasts that of the 10 spies in Numbers 13-14. (David Jeremiah)

Wasn't it only two spies who gave an encouraging report 40 years earlier? (Joshua and Caleb) Now it is only two who did the same. Hmmm.

LET IT GROW

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament informs us about Rahab:

• She was a sinner of moral impurity. Romans 3:23 says, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
• She was under condemnation. Everything and everyone in the city would be destroyed (6:21). 
• She was given a period of grace. Genesis 15:13-16 reminds us that God waited 400 years before He permitted judgment to come to the land!
• She heard the Word of God. She calls God "the LORD" in her conversation.
• She believed the Word. Hebrews 11:31 says Rahab was saved by faith.
• She proved her faith by works. Rahab risked her life to receive, hide, and protect the spies proves that she trusted God. She identified herself with God's people, not the heathen around her.
• She sought to win others. Rahab took a risk to share the Word with her family.
• She was delivered from judgment. The walls fell and the fire destroyed the city's contents.
• She went to a wedding. Rahab married a Jewish man, became part of the nation, and was an ancestress of the Messiah.

Rahab answered the spies after they made an agreement with her-According unto your words, so be it.
Sounds like the words of Mary to the angel informing Mary of her purpose to mother the Messiah (Luke 1:38).

God had a purpose in the two spies staying at Rahab the harlot's house-her salvation.
Are we quick to judge people according to their past and not rejoicing in their salvation?

LET IT GO

Put my life in the Hands of God.

Trust Him with everything.

Keep my faith in Jesus.

Accomplish my mission God sends me to do daily.