Purpose of commissioning

Joshua commissioned two spies.  (1) The purpose of this was to collect information about the city of Jericho, which they were to conquer.  (2) The spies were sent in secret.  Obviously, this was so that the two will go undetected by the Canaanites; nevertheless, there was more to it.  It was likely that Joshua remembered the incident in Kadesh Barnea 40 years prior.  Back then, due to the unfavorable report brought back by the spies, the Israelites resulted in unfaithfulness.  This time, in order to avoid such risk, the two spies were sent in secret.  The two entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab.  Rahab probably was the owner of the inn and secretly made a living as a prostitute.  (1) The reason the two spies entered her house was so that they could act in secret.  Also, it was not so unusual to see visitors entering the house of a harlot.  (2)  Since the house was within the walls of Jericho, entering the city was easier.  (3) Behind this was the providence of God.  Rahab already had faith in the God of Israel.   

Rahab’s lie

Then, someone detected the spies and reported to the king of Jericho.  The king sent his messengers to Rahab and demanded her to surrender the spies.  However, Rahab decided to save them by hiding them on the rooftop.  Some people question if Rahab sinned by lying to the king’s messenger.  I understand that there may be opposition, but it is my understanding that (1) Rahab risked her life to save the two spies.  Such a noble action should not be called a sin.  (2) In no way do today’s verses condemn Rahab’s actions.  The New Testament actually praises Rahab’s faith highly (Heb. 11:31, Jam. 2:25).  (3) Telling the truth to have the spies killed should be considered a sin.  Rahab, because of her faith, was given the privilege to be included in the lineage of David and the Messiah (Matt. 1:5).  She became the model of one who receives God’s blessings through repentance and faith.  God’s grace is offered even to the sinner of sinners.