In the book of Joshua, the author or Joshua wrote how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and she told the king’s men who were attempting to find them, “it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: where the men went I do not know: pursue after them quickly; for you shall overtake them. But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate”, and in chapter two and verse eight of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua said, “before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof” where we read,
And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
The verse reads, “And before they were laid down, …” Joshua began with the words, “and before they” which means “and in advance and prior to the time they, the two men of Israel” “were laid down” or “existed in rest, repose and relaxation” the following occurred. Joshua or the writer began to share what happened in advance of the “two men” of Israel being relaxed and in repose.
The verse continues, “… she came up unto them upon the roof;” Joshua added the words, “she came up unto them” or “she, Rahab, arose and ascended to them, the two men” “upon the roof” which means “on the housetop”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Rahab” ascended to where the “two men” were hidden on the housetop in advance of their full rest.
When we think through the words in this verse, we see how “Rahab” continued to care for the “two spies” from Israel. When the king’s men departed the city of Jericho to pursue the “two men” from Israel, the gates were closed and “Rahab” ascended to the housetop to where the “two men” were hidden. There is more about what she did in our next verse, but for now let us realize there was a process to this rescue of the “two men”. God used these normal activities to protect the “two spies” of Israel, and He often works that way in our lives as well. God wants to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to lead, guide and watch over us as we fulfill His will for His purposes and Kingdom.
Next time the writer or Joshua says the woman, “said unto the men, I know that the LORD has given you the land”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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