The Bible sometimes rhymes

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don't know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it "really" means. Let's see where this takes us! 

Joshua 2

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

The meeting of the two spies with Rahab in Jericho is a stark contrast to the report of spies given in Numbers 13. In that chapter, Moses sent out 12 spies to scout the land of Canaan. They reported back that the situation was hopeless, that the inhabitants were giants and the Israelites were grasshoppers in comparison.

Some 40 years later, Rahab tells the two Israelite spies that the people of Jericho and the surrounding land are in fear of the Israelites and their god The LORD. They knew about the Israelites ever since the exodus from Egypt and knew they defeated kings east of the Jordan. When the spies return to Joshua, they say "all the inhabitants of the land melt in fear of us."

In Joshua 1, The LORD communicates with Joshua, giving him confidence. The news of the spies gives Joshua external confirmation of what the God within already told him.

We also see a callback to Exodus. Rahab ties a crimson cord in her window so that her family would be spared or "passed over" when the Israelites invade, much as the Israelites in Egypt would be spared by putting blood on their doorposts in the Passover event.

Another note about Numbers 13 that I might have missed the first time: Joshua is of the tribe of Ephraim, who was one of the sons of Joseph. Joshua is therefore a descendent or distant grand "son" of Joseph. Joseph went to Egypt; Joshua came out of Egypt and began his "ministry" or time of leadership at the Jordan River.

Mark Twain said, “History Doesn't Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes.” Knowing that "Joshua" and "Jesus" are the same name, only in different languages, and that they mean "to deliver," I might suggest that the Bible also sometimes rhymes.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)