Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Two Spies

Before Joshua crossed over the Jordon River he sent two spies to Jericho to spy out the land. He sent two spies and not twelve as before. I wondered why he sent two. I wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that when the twelve spies went only two said that they should go up immediately and take the land? He also sent two instead of one because the truth of a testimony is based upon two or more witnesses. Also two spies can hold each other accountable.
Why did the spies go to a prostitutes home? It certainly wasn't for immoral reasons but by going to a prostitutes house they would not arouse suspicion about why they were there.
But why did Joshua send two spies in the first place? Hadn't God promised them the land? I see a parallel in the life of Gideon when God gave him a sign that he didn't ask for. Gideon had asked for two signs but God gave him the testimony of the Midianites. Similarly the spies were given the testimony of a citizen of Jericho.

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