Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Joshua
Book: Joshua
Chapter: 2
Overview:
Rahab receives and hides two Israelites.
(1-7) Rahab and the
Spies.
(8-21) The return of the
Spies.
(22-24)
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, Jas 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.
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, Ps 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.
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.