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What does Joshua 1:9 mean?
In Joshua chapter 1, the phrase “be strong and courageous” is repeated three times in the first nine verses, and the Joshua 1:9 Bible verse seems to be the most popular.
The Joshua 1:9 meaning is connected to God’s covenant with the nation of Israel, and He gives them three reasons to be strong and courageous.
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God will do the work and give them the land. He reminds them He promised to give the land to Abraham in His covenant with them, so it will happen. Just as God brought them out of Egypt and through the Red Sea, He will bring them to victory. They will conquer the land.
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God provides the way to success…obey His commands. If they keep their part of the covenant and obey God’s laws, they can have confidence God will keep His part and give them the Promised Land. If you’ve been with us through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, you know this is no small task. What Joshua must adhere to requires a lot of discipline and attention to detail. He must:
- Know the law.
- Meditate on it day and night.
- Be careful to do everything that is written.
- Lead the people in keeping the law as well.
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God will be with them and make it possible. Nothing is impossible for God. Joshua must not become discouraged. Oh he may get frustrated with the people as Moses did. But not discouraged that God cannot do what He said He can. God can give Joshua victory over the giants of Canaan.
Joshua Chapter 1
The book of Joshua is the story of how Joshua led the Israelites in conquering the Canaanites and settling in the land God promised Abraham. Joshua Chapter 1 begins with God commanding Joshua to be strong and courageous, because the Lord will be with him wherever he goes. By Joshua Chapter 1 verses 10-18, Israel is preparing for battle.
Joshua Is a Man of Action
You can almost sense from Joshua’s reaction that he has been waiting for this day with tightly coiled anticipation, because he doesn’t waste a minute when God says go. He springs into action and immediately starts down his list, spreading the news they have three days, and the Transjordan Tribes better not even think about getting out of their commitment.
If you are new to Bible Book Club, know that in the book of Numbers Moses allowed the Gadites, Reubenites, and half-tribe of Manasseh to claim land on the east side of the Jordan. So they are often called the Transjordan Tribes. As part of Moses’ agreement, there is a stipulation. They must fight alongside the other tribes to claim the Promised Land when the time comes. And this is no small ask.
Joshua is a Man of Authority
Joshua commands the Transjordan Tribes to cross over ahead of their fellow Israelites. These tribes are impressive soldiers and will lead the way. They’re putting their lives on the front line for land that will never be theirs.
The Transjordan Tribes respond to Joshua’s command by insisting they will obey him just as they obeyed Moses. They will “do whatever Joshua commands” and “go wherever Joshua sends them.” This obedient response speaks volumes for the great respect they have for Joshua and the successful transfer of leadership from Moses to Joshua.
In fact, they are so “all in” that they recommend death for any man who disobeys. Then, as if in a rally cry response to their new leader, they affirm their allegiance to him and the cause by reiterating God’s words for him to be strong and courageous.
Reflection Point
God’s command to go for the Israelites can be compared to God’s command to us in Matthew 28:19-20.
- God commands the Israelites to go, take the land, and become the nation He promised.
- God commands us to go and make disciples of all nations.
And just as God promises to be with Joshua, so Jesus promises to be with us as part of the Great Commission.
Where in the Bible is the story of Rahab?
Joshua chapter 2 tells the story of Rahab, and in verses 1-7 we begin with a mystery. Rahab is the star of the story, but there are also two spies, one of whom might be the mysterious spy who loved Rahab.
Unfortunately, Joshua does not give us the names of these two spies. So there is no way, this side of heaven, to know for sure who they are. However, people have made assumptions, and there is one strong clue in the New Testament.
Common Theories About the Spies
The Jewish rabbis believe the spies are Phinehas and Caleb. They were on the first spy expedition over 40 years ago, way back in Numbers 13, when Moses sent a total of 12 spies, one from each tribe.
Phinehas is from the tribe of Levi, and Caleb is from the tribe of Judah, so these two men represent the two most important tribes. In that regard, it makes sense they could be the spies in our story of Rahab.
However, it’s not probable Joshua would send a priest of Phinehas’ rank on such a dangerous expedition. He is the grandson of Aaron and heir to the High Priesthood, which means he is highly trained to take over when his father dies. (Which happens later in Joshua 24.) Additionally, neither of them are young men. In Joshua 6:23 it clearly says “the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab.”
So that rules out Caleb and Phineas but, if not them, then who? The New Testament may hold the answer with its mention of who Rahab married.
Who did Rahab marry?
No spy names are ever given in the Old Testament. However, in the New Testament, Matthew tells us Rahab, the rescuer of spies, marries Salmon. He is a prince or leader from the tribe of Judah.
Ellicott’s Commentary states: “Records are silent as to the marriage of Salmon with the harlot of Jericho. When they are compiled by the Jews, it is probably thought of as a blot rather than a glory; but the fact may have been preserved in the traditions of the house of David. It has been conjectured that Salmon may have been one of the two unnamed spies whose lives are saved by Rahab.”
So the theory is, Salmon is the spy who loved her.
Mystery Solved?
In our story of Rahab, Joshua and Caleb are the only two spies still alive out of the 12 spies Moses sent, because they are faithful and do not rebel. Joshua is from the tribe of Ephraim, but Caleb is from the tribe of Judah. It make sense Joshua would choose someone from the tribe of Judah to replace the faithful Caleb. They are, after all, the it tribe from which the Messiah will come. It’s also logical Joshua chooses someone he knows well from his own tribe to replace himself on this spy trip.
But enough about the two spies. Let’s discuss the main character and heroine of this story…Rahab.
Who was Rahab in the Bible?
- Rahab was a prostitute.
The Hebrew word zanah (zaw-naw) is translated as harlot, and zaw-naw is used five times to describe Rahab.
Being a prostitute is not a position of honor in any society. Many commentators and Jewish historians have tried to re-interpret the Hebrew word describing Rahab as a prostitute to make her situation sound better than it is. They argue Rahab was probably just a businesswoman who ran a tavern in the wall of Jericho. This is simply not true.
God makes it very clear He wants to use a prostitute in this story. Why? Because Rahab is special despite her past, and so are we. God wants us to know that our place in society and past sins do not prevent us from being special to Him. Rahab is an example of how God can use us when we step out in faith. No matter what our background is.
- Rahab was an innkeeper.
In the days of Jericho, traveling merchants would go to and fro through the city gates. Therefore, the inns were often in the wall of the city, conveniently located for the arrival and departure of the merchants. Additionally, we know from receipts of inns during this period that renting a bed at an inn often included the rental of a woman to go with the bed. Think of it as an add-on like room service. Rahab owns the inn and provides the required services.
- Rahab was wise.
Joshua 2:8-11 reveals Rahab’s wisdom. She has her pulse on the world outside, not just her small town inside the walls. The location of her house is symbolic of that. She lives in the wall of the city, but her window looks out on the world.
And remember, songs are created after victories to help generations remember. So she has likely heard the tale of the Red Sea enough to believe. In fact, the story may have been sung many times in her tavern. For she quotes a line from the victory Song of Miriam and Moses in Exodus 15. “All who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.” In the song of victory, after Egypt’s defeat, there is a line that says the nations will hear and tremble and the people of Canaan will melt away.
Can’t you just see Rahab serving drunk, rowdy men the IPA of the day as they bawdily sing the song? She pauses when she hears them sing the word Canaan. “Wait, what will happen to Canaan? Sing it again! I want to know more.” And as she hears more about Israel from men as they travel through, she begins to believe. As her conviction grows, so does her courage.
- Rahab is discerning and open to learning more.
The Canaanites are polytheists, worshipping many gods, but Rahab wisely sees the Israelite’s God is the one true God. So she defies the culture she was raised in and chooses something better. Her belief in the God of the Israelites blossoms into a faith willing to take risks, which eventually saves her life and the lives of her family.
- Rahab was relational.
In Joshua 2:12-13 Rahab negotiates for those she cares about. The inn is not her parents. They do not live with her, which may mean they disapprove of her profession, because it is unusual for a young woman to live without her family. She must have been fairly young as there is no mention of children until after she becomes grafted into Israel. Whatever the situation, she loves her family, and she negotiates for their lives as well as her own.
- Rahab was a risk taker and a rule breaker.
Joshua 2:14-21 shows us the covenant between Rahab and the spies. She breaks the rules and defies the King of Jericho by lying about the spies, and she breaks God’s rule as a Canaanite survivor.
Deuteronomy 7 and Deuteronomy 20, God commanded the Israelites not to make treaties with the Canaanites and to leave no Canaanite survivors in the Promised Land. Rahab does both. She makes a treaty with the spies, and she survives the conquest.
We know God sanctions it and praises her for it, and Paul tells us why in Hebrews 11:31. “By faith, the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient (unbelieving).” It is her faith that saves her! With Rahab’s confession of faith, she ceases to be a Canaanite, choosing instead to unite herself with the Israelites and God.
The scarlet cord she uses should strike a chord with us. Just as Rahab and her family are saved by the red cord in the window, the Hebrew slaves in Egypt were saved by the red blood of the lamb on the door. And we are saved by the red blood of Jesus as He hangs on the cross.
- Rahab was industrious and clever.
Because she has flax and later uses a red cord, it is believed that Rahab may also have had another source of income as a linen manufacturer. She is a busy girl and very resourceful. Kind of reminds you of a Proverbs 31 woman, but without the noble character…yet!
The roof would have been very visible to those in the city. The city is built up on a hill and her house is most likely between the two walls. The houses higher up would have looked down on hers. Most likely, drying flax is a common practice for Rahab. No one thinks it unusual that she has flax on her roof. She may have cleverly hid the spies in plain sight of others without arousing suspicion.
- Rahab was lovable.
We love Rahab because of who she is, what she does, and who she becomes. She is a Canaanite, a prostitute, a wily woman, a liar, negotiator, and survivor. She defies the odds and has an inspiring faith that overcomes faults. When Rahab becomes a believer…it changes everything.
- Rahab was believable.
It’s rather strange that the soldiers so quickly believe Rahab’s story and never bother to search her house. Is this God’s protection? Or, as a prostitute, is she skilled at using her persuasive powers with men? Whatever the case, she outright lies to protect the spies.
When is it okay to lie?
Many writers have a problem with Rahab’s lying, because it’s obviously wrong to lie. But this is not our first Biblical encounter with the lying conundrum. In Exodus 1:17 the Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Puah lie to Pharaoh. They had been told to kill the Hebrew boys as they were born, which they didn’t do because they feared God more than Pharaoh. When Pharaoh questioned them, they lied and said the Hebrew women were vigorous and give birth before they arrived.
The Gospel Coalition justifies these two examples of lying this way. It appears, as in the case of the midwives and Rahab, that there are occasions when deception is permissible. A lie is an intentional falsehood that violates someone’s right to know the truth. But there are cases in which people forfeit their right to know the truth, such as in times of war, when someone has criminal intentions, or if a person’s life is at risk.
In these cases, a person is not under obligation to tell someone the truth. It’s reminiscent of Anne Frank and the people who lied to hide her. And Corrie Tenboom whose family lied to hide Jews like Anne Frank.
Rahab’s Concept of Hesed
Hesed is the word for kindness used twice in Joshua 2, verses 12-13. “You will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you.” It is an unusual but important Hebrew word that we’ll read often, because the Hebrew word hesed appears about 250 times in the Old Testament.
What is the meaning of hesed?
The concept of Hesed is difficult to grasp. In fact, whole books have been written about it. It is a word that no one English word can accurately convey. Hesed is a type of love that includes covenantal loyalty, faithfulness, kindness, goodness, mercy, and compassion. It is usually based on a relationship that has a prior history, and it usually requires an action. It is usually performed by a more powerful person for a weaker person, and it is a voluntary act of extraordinary mercy or generosity.
In summary, Hesed refers to an act performed for the benefit of a person in desperate need in the framework of an enduring commitment between the parties concerned. Most of the Bible references of Hesed describe a loving act of God to man.
- In Genesis 19 the word Hesed is used when God sends angels to rescue Lot.
- In Genesis 32 Jacob, fearing for his life, asks God for Hesed.
- When we get to another great love story, the book of Ruth, hesed will make another appearance.
In this case, Rahab shows Hesed to the spies who are in a life-threatening situation and asks for Hesed in return when she will be in a life-threatening situation. They are entering into a covenantal-like relationship by extending to each other acts of extraordinary mercy. They are protecting each other’s lives. It is deeply meaningful, and for one of these spies, the spy who loved her, it may have carried more meaning than she realized.
What does the name Rahab mean?
Rahab is bold, and her Amorite name means just that: bold, fierceness, or insolence. She owns her own inn, despite the fact that she had to sell herself to do it. She is courageous and risks it all, her inn, her job, her life, to rescue the spies.
The Spies Return
By 2 Joshua verses 22-24, Rahab is still in the wall. The spies are back in the camp, and we are back to our main man Joshua. To find out how Rahab’s story ends and more about Salmon the spy we think loved her, you will have to wait until Joshua chapter 6, but it will be worth the wait.
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