Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Deuteronomy Judges
Joshua 2
Concise Complete
Rahab receives and hides two Israelites. (1-7) Rahab and
the spies. (8-21) The return of the spies. (22-24)
Verses 1-7 Faith in
God's promises ought not to do away, but to encourage our diligence in the use
of proper means. The providence of God directed the spies to the house of Rahab.
God knew where there was one that would be true to them, though they did not.
Rahab appears to have been an innkeeper; and if she had formerly been one of bad
life, which is doubtful, she had left her evil courses. That which seems to us
most accidental, is often overruled by the Divine providence to serve great
ends. It was by faith that Rahab received those with peace, against whom her
king and country had war. We are sure this was a good work; it is so spoken of
by the apostle,
james
2:25; and she did it by faith, such a faith as set her above the fear of
man. Those only are true believers, who find in their hearts to venture for God;
they take his people for their people, and cast in their lot among them. The
spies were led by the special providence of God, and Rahab entertained them out
of regard to Israel and Israel's God, and not for lucre or for any evil purpose.
Though excuses may be offered for the guilt of Rahab's falsehood, it seems best
to admit nothing which tends to explain it away. Her views of the Divine law
must have been very dim: a falsehood like this, told by those who enjoy the
light of revelation, whatever the motive, would deserve heavy censure.
Verses 8-21 Rahab
had heard of the miracles the Lord wrought for Israel. She believed that his
promises would certainly be fulfilled, and his threatenings take effect; and
that there was no way of escape but by submitting to him, and joining with his
people. The conduct of Rahab proved that she had the real principle of Divine
faith. Observe the promises the spies made to her. The goodness of God is often
expressed by his kindness and truth,
psalms 117:2; in both
these we must be followers of him. Those who will be conscientious in keeping
promises, are cautious in making them. The spies make needful conditions. The
scarlet cord, like the blood upon the doorpost at the passover, recalls to
remembrance the sinner's security under the atoning blood of Christ; and that we
are to flee thereto for refuge from the wrath of a justly offended God. The same
cord Rahab used for the saving of these Israelites, was to be used for her own
safety. What we serve and honour God with, we may expect he will bless, and make
useful to us.
Verses 22-24 The
report the spies brought was encouraging. All the people of the country faint
because of Israel; they have neither wisdom to yield, nor courage to fight.
Those terrors of conscience, and that sense of Divine wrath, which dismay the
ungodly, but bring not to repentance, are fearful forebodings of approaching
destruction. But grace yet abounds to the chief of sinners. Let them, without
delay, flee to Christ, and all shall be well.
Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Deuteronomy Judges
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
