What is the meaning of Joshua 2:9? I know Rahab’s opening words reveal confident, settled conviction rather than speculation. • She speaks in the present tense—“I know”—showing that faith can precede sight (Hebrews 11:1, 31). • This certainty sprang from hearing what God had already done (Romans 10:17). Stories of the Red Sea and victories over Sihon and Og (Numbers 21:21-35) had crossed Jordan long before the spies did. • Her statement is a personal confession: while Jericho trembles, Rahab believes. James later highlights that her faith was proved genuine by her works (James 2:25). that the LORD has given you this land Rahab recalls God’s promise as though it were already fulfilled. • “The LORD has given” echoes the covenant first announced to Abraham (Genesis 12:7; 15:18-21) and repeated to Moses and the new generation (Deuteronomy 1:8; Joshua 1:2-3). • She names the LORD (YHWH), acknowledging Israel’s God as the true sovereign of Canaan (Exodus 23:31). • While Israel was just beginning the conquest, from heaven’s viewpoint the transfer of title was complete (Psalm 115:3). • Her faith aligns with the pattern of believing God’s word before experiencing its visible outcome, just as Israel had believed before the Passover night (Exodus 12:28-29). and that the fear of you has fallen on us God had promised to spread dread ahead of Israel, and Rahab confirms its fulfillment. • “Today I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the peoples” (Deuteronomy 2:25). • Pharaoh’s counselors once begged him to let Israel go lest Egypt be ruined (Exodus 10:7); now Canaanite hearts are similarly struck. • The fear is God-initiated, not merely Israel-induced—evidence that the battle is the LORD’s (1 Samuel 17:47). • Rahab stands out: instead of resisting, she responds in faith, illustrating Proverbs 9:10—“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you Rahab describes collective emotional collapse. • “Our hearts melted, and everyone’s courage failed” (Joshua 2:11) will be echoed again after Israel crosses the Jordan (Joshua 5:1). • The same verb appears when Israel’s spies reported in unbelief at Kadesh (Numbers 13:31-14:4); the difference now is whose hearts melt. God has reversed the roles. • This fulfilled Moses’ song: “Terror and dread fall upon them… till Your people pass by” (Exodus 15:14-16). • Israel could therefore advance with confidence, remembering that God had already disarmed the enemy psychologically (Joshua 10:8). summary Rahab’s single sentence weaves together faith, covenant, and divine strategy. She trusts God’s promise (“the LORD has given”), recognizes His supremacy, and confirms He is already working in enemy hearts. Her words invite believers to rest in the finished certainty of God’s Word, move forward in obedience, and expect Him to prepare the way long before we see tangible results. |
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