Ernest Smith

Disclaimer: If you are wondering why I am blogging what God is teaching during my personal time with Him, read this.

Joshua: Chapter Two

Joshua 2:12-21 – 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”

14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.”

15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.”17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”

21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.”

This is the climax, in my opinion, of a scouting trip that Joshua sent two guys out on.  These men were sent to spy out the Promised Land and to bring back a report of the enemies that the people of Israel would have to face.  Specifically, Joshua sent them to check out the well-fortified city of Jericho.

While there they met a prostitute. Now, before you go getting any strange thoughts, know that many prostitutes also managed the local hotels.  These men were not getting into trouble…at least not in that way.

After the woman lied to the leaders of Jericho about where the spies went, she asked them to keep her and her family safe when Israel destroyed the city.  After I read the passage above, I thought “How could she trust them so easily?”  It became clear what the Lord wanted me to hear…

Sometimes You Just Need to Trust People

Now, I don’t know about you, but this one is a hard one for me.  I love public speaking.  I don’t think I fear death.  I love empowering people.  I get excited about leading people.  However, I have a really hard time trusting people.

I’m just being completely honest right now! Trust does not come easy.  I can look back over the past few years and see the times where trusting someone lead to disappointment and even pain.  I can even take a glimpse at my childhood and see where putting my trust in people lead to experiences that I would love to forget.

However, I bet this prostitute had her fair share of disappointments and broken trust.  I’m sure she didn’t grow up dreaming of prostituting herself.  Usually, women in that profession, if it is of choice, have an extremely low amount of trust in anyone.

And yet, she trusted.  She believed these strangers at their word.  Could they have been lying?  Sure.  Could they have killed her along with everyone else?  Of course.  Could they have “forgotten” their agreement?  It would not have been uncommon in that society.

And yet she trusted…and because of that trust, her life would never be the same again. Maybe the same is true for us.

Is trusting someone difficult for you?

Who is God calling you to put more trust in today?