This Week's Story
click here to play audioJoshua sends two spies and mobilizes Israelite forces to enter the Promised Land.
This Week’s Story relives American history and the Bible through brief inspiring stories presented on mp3 audio recordings and text for reading.
Joshua, I am with you. part two
Each day Joshua felt the loss of Moses, his leader and friend. He remembered: Moses is not here. He climbed Pisgah Peak and God showed him The Promised Land. He died, and I don’t know where his body is buried; but his words are with me.
Moses taught us God’s commandments for how to live in the Promised Land. He told us, “If you obey God, He will delight in you. His message is on your lips and in your heart, so that you can obey it. It is not so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go to heaven and bring it down, so we can hear and obey it?’”
Joshua remembered and was comforted. He began mobilizing the Israelite forces to enter The Promised Land. The Canaanites would not welcome them.
God told him, “Joshua, no people will be able to stand their ground against you. Be strong and courageous; for I will be with you as I was with Moses!”
Joshua called together three tribes who wanted to live on the east side of the Jordan River. “Your wives, children, and cattle can stay here, but your warriors must lead the other tribes across the river. Help them conquer the territory. Then you can settle in the land Moses gave you.”
The people agreed, “We will go where you send us. May God be with you, as He was with Moses.”
Joshua sent two spies from the Israelite camp to spy in the territory on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around the city of Jericho.
The men entered the city and hid one night in the home of a woman named Rahab. Someone reported to the king of Jericho, “Israelite spies are hiding in Rahab’s home.”
The king sent messengers to Rahab. “Hand over the spies.”
Rahab replied, “The men were here earlier. I did not know where they came from. They left the city as the sun was going down and the city gates were soon to close. I do not know where the men went. If you hurry, maybe you can catch up to them.”
As she talked the two spies were on her roof under piles of flax stalks. The king’s men went looking for them. As soon as the king’s men left, the gates of the city were closed.
That night Rahab went up on her roof and told the spies, “I am sure God has given you this land. The people in the city are afraid of what will happen if your warriors attack.
“We have heard how God made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. We know how you destroyed the two Amorite kings and their people. None of us wants to fight against you. Your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.
“Swear in the name of God that you will be kind to my family and me, since I helped you. Give me proof that when you conquer Jericho you will let my family live.”
The spies swore, “If you do not betray us, we will keep our promise when God gives us the city.”
This is Barbara Steiner waiting to hear soon how the spies escaped from Jericho and what happened to Rahab.
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