Secret Spies

O. T. #441  "Secret Spies"
January 16, 2015
Joshua 2-Part 1
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim, two men to spy secretly, saying, God view the land, even Jericho. And they went... Joshua 2:1

LET IT GLOW

What if someone close to you was engaged in secretly spying on you throughout your day? What would they hear you say behind doors that close out the world? What would they see you doing? What if they were videoing you?  Would your words and actions be alligned with what you portray to the world? Would you be satisfied with what others saw or would you be embarrassed? Would you?
Hmmm. Jesus sees us, hears us, even knows our intimate thoughts, intents, and feelings. Do they please Him? Ouch! Stepping on my own toes.
Joshua sent out two men to secretly spy the land that lie ahead of them, even Jericho. Let's look deeper into verse 1.

What do we learn about this time?

• Joshua was in his nineties, appointed by God, and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Num. 27:18)
• Joshua, the new commander-in-chief, received his orders directly from God. (1:1-9)
• Israel had been camped east of the Jordan River for quiet some time (less than a year). Moses had reviewed Israel's past history, 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, the Laws of God, the covenants, commissioned Joshua, and instructed them to obey.
• This keen army general had already received orders to exterminate the Canaanites, who occupied the land beyond the Jordan, because of their excessive wickedness.
• These two spies were engaged in a secret intelligence-gathering mission.
• These spies were to report to Joshua. Previous experience taught Joshua that the Israelites could not evaluate such a report (The first generation Israel refused to go conquer the land when Joshua and Caleb had been part of the 12 spy company, listening to the 10 bad reports.)
• The grove was situated in foothills about 7 miles east of the Jordan River; Jericho lay 7 miles west of the river.

[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary, The MacArthur Bible Commentary, John J. Davis's Conquest and Crisis]

Yesterday's post was entitled Whatever and Wherever. Would we have been willing to do what was asked of us? Would we have been willing to go where we were asked? Are we willing today, when our commander-in-chief, Jesus Christ, commissions us?

LET IT GROW

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

Archaeologists have done a great deal of research at Jericho. They tell us the city covered about 8 acres, with inner and outer walls surrounding the city. The inner wall was 12 feet thick, the outer wall 6 feet thick, and there were houses upon the walls. The walls stood about 30 feet high, and excavations show that these wall were "violently destroyed."

Of course, we know what caused those walls to come tumbling down-God did it. What a challenge lay ahead for Joshua and Israel! Yet, God can take the impossible and make it possible. (That's how Jesus was born.)

Are we surrounded by walls of impossibility, from our perspective?
Are we seeking the Lord's direction for us?
Does He need to open our spiritual eyes to see that He is control?

Nothing is impossible with God, sweet one. Keep the faith. He may surprise us!

LET IT GO

Look with spiritual eyes, not physical eyes; not all things are as they appear.

Trust God to do the impossible.

Obey God's directions and Word.

*My surgery is scheduled for Jan. 27, removal of gall bladder and hernia fixed.