Joshua 2:22-24 – Encouragement in the LORD’s Faithfulness

The events of this chapter gave Israel encouragement in the faithfulness of the LORD. One of the benefits of the whole episode appears in the spies’ report in v24: “Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.” The land has continued to be the concern of this chapter (see also v1,9,14 and 18). Now, as the fruit of this spying mission, the Israelites are assured that the LORD will give them the land as promised.

This is what their mission achieved. The spies did not remain in Jericho to help the attack on the city from within. Their purpose wasn’t to do an ‘inside job’ and cunningly deliver the city. When we read later in this book what the battle strategy was going to be (6:2-5), it’s hard to see how the spying mission had helped to develop the plan!

What Israel did receive from this episode was being sure of the LORD’s promise. We might say that they should have been certain of God’s promise without this extra encouragement. True, the LORD’s word is adequate in itself. The problem, however, is not that the LORD’s promises are not sure but that we need to feel sure of them. His word should be sufficient to strengthen us. But because of the weakness of our faith, He graciously stoops down and by many signs, evidences and providences makes us feel assured of His already sure word. It’s like a husband sending a card to his wife telling her how much she means to him. She shouldn’t need to be sent a card in order to know that he loves her, but it is an extra action that makes her feel loved and appreciated. So the LORD understands our needs.