Joshua 1:1 – 3:6

The Lord said to Joshua, “Moses my servant is
dead. Now you will lead the people into the land
I’ve promised them. I’ll be with you just like I was
with Moses.
“So, be strong and full of courage. Obey the
instructions I gave Moses. Don’t turn away from
them in any way. If you follow those instructions,
I’ll be with you in everything you do.”
With that, Joshua started organizing the
people for their campaign into Canaan. He
started by sending two men across the river
to spy on the land. They entered the city of
Jericho and stayed at the house of a prostitute
named Rahab.
The king of Jericho found out that they were
in the city, so he sent a message to Rahab.
“Bring out those men who are staying in your
house. They’re spies from the people of Israel.”
The men were on her roof, where she had
hidden them under bundles of flax. She told the
king, “Yes, they were here, but I didn’t know
where they came from. Just before dark, they left
before the city gates were closed. They didn’t tell
me which way they were going, but you should
be able to catch them if you hurry.” So the king
sent men to chase after them.
Rahab said to the spies, “Everyone here is
afraid of you because we know God has given
you this land! We heard how the Lord opened up
the Red Sea when you left Egypt. Your God is the
God of heaven above and the earth below. He’s
done great things for you.
“I protected you! Now swear by your God
that you’ll show kindness to my family. Spare
our lives!”
So the spies said, “We’ll spare you when the
Lord gives us your city, but only if you don’t tell
the king about us. Tie this scarlet cord in your
window. Your family will be safe if they’re in your
house. If any one leaves the house, we’re not
responsible for what happens to them.”
Rahab’s house was on the city wall, so she
put a rope out of her window and helped the
men escape. They hid in the hills until the men of
Jericho stopped looking for them.
Once it was safe, they went back across
the river. They told Joshua everything that had
happened. They said, “It’s true! God has given
us the land. The people are afraid of us.”
So Joshua led the people toward the Jordan
River, where they stayed for three days. On the
third day, the leaders of Israel went throughout
the camp and told the people, “Break camp
tomorrow morning. Then watch the priests.
They’re going to pick up the ark of God and
move toward the Jordan River. Follow them,
because you haven’t gone this way before.
“Tomorrow, the Lord will do amazing things
for you. You’ll know that God lives with you and
plans to drive out your enemies from before you.”
Joshua told them to select twelve men, one
from each tribe, and send them to him. Then
he told the priests what they were to do the
next day.