Joshua 2:22-24
“They departed and went to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but did not find them. So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them. And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.”” Joshua 2:22-24 NKJV
These final verses spotlight God’s protection over obedient servants. It is true! God’s Word is come to pass. By following Rahab’s counsel, the spies hid in the hills for three days, safely beyond the reach of diligent pursuers. Every element- their exit, the rugged refuge, the waiting period, the enemy’s futile search- demonstrates that when God directs, no earthly power can derail His mission.
These two sentences got stuck in my mind- “They departed and went to the mountain and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but did not find them.”
God will have His way. The Bible overwhelmingly declares that God’s Word and promises will be fulfilled. However, when you are on a mission from God, and obedient to His will, the enemy is not just going to leave you alone. But God will send people to guide you, He will frustrate the plans of the enemy, and lead you into paths of safety in order to accomplish His Word.
1. Obey wise counsel
The spies escaped out into the hill country. The rugged heights west of Jericho offered caves, ravines, and natural concealment beyond the Jordan Valley. Rahab had directed the men there, and their obedience to her counsel became part of the Lord’s preservation of them. Rahab had pointed them to this rugged terrain for concealment-
Joshua 2:16
“And she said to them, Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; hide yourselves there three days until the pursuers have returned; and afterward you may go your way.” Joshua 2:16 AMPC
Rahab, a Canaanite woman, was instrumental in God’s plan. She had believed and confessed that the Lord was God, and that she wanted to be saved. She showed her faith by hiding the spies, and so they trusted and obeyed her word. God sends you people to speak a word and you are to obey their counsel. There are people that actually know more than you. If you are visiting another country, it is wisdom to take directions from a resident. Let me share with you another story from the book of Acts 27:9-20
Acts 27:9-21
“By now much time had passed, and the voyage was already dangerous. Since the Fast was already over, Paul gave his advice and told them, “Men, I can see that this voyage is headed toward damage and heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship but also of our lives.” But the centurion paid attention to the captain and the owner of the ship rather than to what Paul said. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to set sail from there, hoping somehow to reach Phoenix, a harbor on Crete open to the southwest and northwest, and to winter there. When a gentle south wind sprang up, they thought they had achieved their purpose. They weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. But not long afterward, a fierce wind called the “northeaster” rushed down from the island. Since the ship was caught and was unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. After running under the shelter of a little island called Cauda, we were barely able to get control of the skiff. After hoisting it up, they used ropes and tackle and girded the ship. Then, fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the drift-anchor, and in this way they were driven along. Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day. On the third day, they threw the ship’s gear overboard with their own hands. For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging. Finally all hope that we would be saved was disappearing. Since many were going without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss.”” Acts 27:9-21 HCSB
They were severely battered by the storm. How many storms could you have avoided if you would have just listened and obeyed the counsel of the man or woman in the same boat with you?
Disobedience produces all sorts of storms that you could easily have avoided if you would have just listened and obeyed counsel.
Proverbs 5:7-14
“So now, my sons, listen to me, and don’t turn away from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her. Don’t go near the door of her house. Otherwise, you will give up your vitality to others and your years to someone cruel; strangers will drain your resources, and your earnings will end up in a foreigner’s house. At the end of your life, you will lament when your physical body has been consumed, and you will say, “How I hated discipline, and how my heart despised correction. I didn’t obey my teachers or listen closely to my mentors. I am on the verge of complete ruin before the entire community.”” Proverbs 5:7-14 HCSB
I cannot tell you how many times myself, pastor Matt, or another pastor has given wise counsel and you go your way and continue to do what you want to do. I am trying to help you!
Me in the gym- Matt often corrects my posture in the gym. I rarely listen. It is not because I think he is wrong, it is because I am just lazy. Doing some squats, I often get too far forward. I don’t want to make the correct adjustments because it makes the exercise harder. I am just being honest. He is not trying to control me, he is trying to help me have good form.
Years ago, I had a friend that was married and flirting. I told her she was wrong and sinning, she decided to cut me off. She is no longer serving the Lord.
When I ask where you have been, it is because I care. When I tell you to be somewhere or attend Bible study, or stop hanging out with certain people, or to not date someone, wear something, watch something, it is because I care. I am not trying to control you anymore than Rahab was trying to control the spies. She knew the land. She knew where to have them go to be hidden. She wanted to keep them safe. I am trying to keep you safe. I have no ulterior motives.
This kind of obedience requires humility. In Scripture, the spies are not even named by names. They are just referred to as “the spies”. Are you OK with no one knowing your name? We want to do the exceptional things for God, but we want the accolades for just doing our job, which is to obey.
I met this 72 year old pastor, he is a professor of hermeneutics, but the thing that I was impressed with was his humility. I used to value knowledge when I was young, but the older I get the less i am impressed with what you know.
Do you know who is a know it all? Newly graduated high school students. Do you know who is worse? Newly graduated college students.
Knowledge does not translate to the wisdom of the Lord. The apostles were recognized not because of their knowledge, but because they had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
I do not care how much you know, I want to know if you have been with Jesus. Listen and obey those who have been with Jesus, our residence is in another kingdom and we know the kingdom paths of safety.
2. God often uses wilderness places.
The hills placed a natural barrier between the spies and the king’s men. Throughout Scripture, God used unique places.
David in Adullam
“So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When David’s brothers and his father’s whole family heard, they went down and joined him there. In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About 400 men were with him.” 1 Samuel 22:1-2 HCSB
Elijah at Horeb
“Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life. When he came to Beer-sheba that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there, but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! LORD, take my life, for I’m no better than my fathers.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, “Get up and eat.” Then he looked, and there at his head was a loaf of bread baked over hot stones, and a jug of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the LORD returned for a second time and touched him. He said, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” So he got up, ate, and drank. Then on the strength from that food, he walked 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. He entered a cave there and spent the night.” 1 Kings 19:3-9 HCSB
God’s design to get Paul to Rome in the book of Acts was from prison house to prison house.
God uses unique places to take care of His people.
God will safeguard His people, but it is not always in the ways that we think. We have to trust His provision. The wilderness is often a time of preparation for something bigger and better.
I remember when we were in Texas, we had a man of God come through our church and told my husband, “You have been running from God’s ministerial calling, but He sees you and He is sending you to the desert” (we thought it was a metaphorical word, we would be in a dry season) Shortly after that, Ps Matt came up on orders for the Sinai desert. This was a time of preparation for the ministry. Matt went and decided he would not watch movies, but only read the Bible, pray and attend church services. HE would use that time wisely to prepare.
Trust what God is doing when you are sent into the wilderness. God will provide for you. He will take care of you. It is for a season, if you will learn what you need to learn in that season.
Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years in what should have been an 11 day journey. Learn to be content, to not grumble and complain, and to have gratitude in your wilderness seasons. Try to turn your thinking around and remember, God is doing something in me in this season.
3. Wait to move.
“and stayed there three days”- The three days allowed the immediate danger to pass while the men remained hidden in the country God had promised to Israel. Their waiting required faith, restraint, and confidence that the mission would be completed in the Lord’s time.
Three days provided a complete cycle of waiting until danger passed, just as Israel would later wait three days before crossing the Jordan
Joshua 3:2-3
“After three days the officers went through the camp and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God carried by the Levitical priests, you must break camp and follow it.”” Joshua 3:2-3 HCSB
The number three is prominent in the Bible. Scripture frequently pairs “three days” with deliverance:
Genesis 42:17-18
“So Joseph imprisoned them together for three days. On the third day Joseph said to them, “I fear God — do this and you will live.”” Genesis 42:17-18 HCSB
Esther 4:15-16
“Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, day or night. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.”” Esther 4:15-16 HCSB
Jonah 1:17
“Now the LORD had appointed a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17 HCSB
Matthew 12:40
“For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.” Matthew 12:40 HCSB
I looked up the significance of the number three in scripture. The number 3 is recorded 485 times in 426 King James Bible verses. It occurs 410 times in the Old Testament and has 75 occurrences in the New Testament.
The number 3 conveys the meaning of completeness.
The 3 patriarchs before the flood were Abel, Enoch and Noah. After the flood, there was the three “fathers”, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
There are 27 books in the New Testament, which is 3 cubed, or completeness to the third power. Here are some unique things concerning the number three-
Jesus prayed 3 times in the garden of gethsemane. There were three hours of darkness while Jesus suffered on the cross. Christ was dead for 3 full days and nights. Jesus took only 3 of his disciples, James, Peter and John, up a large hill in order to view his transfiguration. Jesus showed himself alive only three times to all of his remaining apostles as a group. The bible only names 3 angels by name. Only three of Jesus’ original twelve disciples had their writings included in the New Testament. These writers were Matthew, John and Peter. Three sets of brothers existed within Jesus’ original twelve disciples! there were three rulers over the Kingdom of Judah who died in a foreign land. There are 3 places in the New Testament where sex sins are specially referenced. An angel is charged to cry three woes to those who live on earth to warn them of more trials to come (Revelation 8:13). God, when all prophecy has been fulfilled, will create a new Jerusalem which will be shaped like a square with 3 gates on each side (Revelation 21:13). God is described, in the very beginning of the book of Revelation, as a Being with the three-fold characteristic, “which is, and which was, and which is to come” (Revelation 1:4).
Here is what I know- it is a perfect time of waiting for God to fulfill His word. And I do not know why, but often the Lord wants it to look dead in the natural so that when he brings it alive, He gets all the glory.
Luke 24:5-7
“So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. Why are you looking for the living among the dead? Asked the men. He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was in Galilee? Saying The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day?” Luke 24:5-7 HCSB
It is not dead, it is waiting to be resurrected! God is the God of the living.
The story of Lazarus reveals that Jesus waited four days after Lazarus was dead, dead because He knew what He would do. Everyone around Him, including those closest to Him, did not know what He would do. But Jesus did. He waited on purpose to allow Lazarus to die, so He could raise him from the dead. Even when the situation looks impossible, and it appears as if the enemy has won; God knows what he will do.
Waiting is a Biblical mandate. God owns time. God is not bound by time, the way we are. He sees all things, past, present and future. He already know the outcome. It is a done deal. We can only see what is in front of us. God’s timing is wisdom. The three days of waiting mean He is preparing you for something greater.
Do not get ahead of God. Waiting seasons have a purpose- they test and strengthen faith
Psalms 27:14
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait for the LORD.” Psalms 27:14 HCSB
God was working in the waiting for His people to move ahead safely.
The searchers’ return after three days marked the failure of Jericho’s efforts to stop what God had determined to do.
4. The enemy pursues the faithful.
The pursuers had searched the road leading toward the Jordan, assuming the spies had attempted to cross back into Israel’s camp. Their mistaken pursuit gave the spies time to remain safely hidden before returning to Joshua with the report that the inhabitants of Canaan were fearful of Israel’s God. The pursuers relied on predictable routes; God through the wisdom of Rahab led the spies off-road. The enemy of your souls is not just going to let you get off Scott-free when you are on a mission for the Lord. HE is going to pursue you and he seeks to frustrate the works of your hands. No one is immune. We must recognize that we have a stealthy and strategic enemy, who seeks to devour you, and he does not play fair. You think you are in a boxing match with rules, he is in a street fight.
WE must recognize and be aware that we have a real enemy that hates us and seeks to destroy us. WE are not unaware of his plans and his ways, we cover our cracks and weaknesses and we give him no place in our lives by obeying the men/women of God and the Word of the Lord.
But even when the enemy comes, he cannot stop what God has purposed to do. (Say that again)
Isaiah 59:19
“So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19 NKJV
The enemy comes like a flood- a flood destroys everything in its path. But the Spirit lifts up a standard against him. When God’s people experience overwhelming adversity, God says He will “lift up a standard”, this means He calls together His armies to oppose the enemy’s progress. God intervenes in a powerful response to defend His people.
Prophecy reveals that the enemy tries to destroy God’s people and take over the world, but his plans will not succeed.
Psalms 33:10
“The LORD frustrates the counsel of the nations; He thwarts the plans of the peoples.” Psalms 33:10 HCSB
Proverbs 21:30
“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD” Proverbs 21:30
Isaiah 54:17
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” Isaiah 54:17
Even when we fail, He never fails. Faith believes that God is working to stop the plans of the enemy. The enemy will raise up weapons, but those weapons have limited ability. God will only allow the enemy to do so much. Just look to Job. Satan was allowed to take everything from Job, but his life.
Even in pursuit, God is working. As soon as the children of Israel left Egypt, the enemy pursued. God specifically took Israel by way of the Red Sea. It was not by accident. he knew what HE would do. The story of Moses and the Red Sea reveal that we have an enemy that hates us, that will pursue us to destroy us, but God will make a way when, how and where He needs to.
God’s guidance from the enemy contradicts human logic, yet always has a good outcome.
5. God’s promise will be accomplished.
Without finding them- The spies escaped not merely through careful planning but through the Lord’s providence, working through Rahab’s courage and the shelter of the hill country. They report to Joshua, “It is true!!” Everything the Lord has told us will come to pass. Human opposition and the enemy’s hot pursuit could not prevent Israel from receiving the land God had pledged to Abraham’s descendants. The spies triumphantly proclaim, “Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.”” It is so encouraging to me that God has safeguarded the land of Israel for thousands of years to honor His Word and promise to Abraham. Scripture reveals time and time again that God honors His Word and looks after it to make sure it comes to pass.
The Messiah came through the line of David as a promise to David that a man from his lineage would sit as King on the throne
2 Samuel 7:12-13
“when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come form your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-13 NKJV
And again in V. 16
David wants to build God a house, but God responds by promising David a “house”, an enduring royal dynasty.
At first glance it looks like he is talking about Solomon, but it is a reference to Jesus, The King of kings and Lord of lords. Matthew 21:9 calls Jesus “the Son of David”. This covenant is “unconditional”, thus not based on David’s obedience, but rests solely on God’s faithfulness.
We can trust the Word of God. It is a firm foundation and standard for our lives. We can trust everything He has said He will do. Every Word of God will be accomplish, even if it looks grim and impossible, and no matter the amount of tine it takes. God is not bound by people, events, the government, your family, not the weather nor time.
WE often do not make God big enough, we reduce Him to our human level and reasoning. God is God alone, He does not need humans, we need Him.
Imagine drawing a picture of the sun and claiming it to be the real thing. Some do the same to God. He is Creator, He made you out of dust, He breathed life into you. You cannot live exist without Him, but He has always existed before man ever was.
He is awesome and wonderful. You need a bigger view of God than today’s church.
Acts 28:30-31
“Paul lived in his own rented quarters for two full years and welcomed everyone who came to see him. Unhindered and with complete confidence, he continued to preach God’s kingdom and to teach about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 28:30–31 (CEB)
The final word of the original Greek text in Acts is akolutos, which translates to “unhindered” or “without hindrance”. Luke deliberately ends his historical account on this triumphant note to show that even though the apostle Paul was locked in chains under Roman house arrest, the Word of God cannot be bound or stopped.
Isaiah 46:10
“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'” Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)
Job 42:2
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2 (NIV)
Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Do not bring God down to your level. If you need more faith, listen to more biblical preaching and read your Bible until the Word pierces your heart and soul.
Faith in God’s Word does not mean there will not be any problems. Quite the contrary, faith and obedience mean that we will incite the enemy. We have an enemy that will see to it to disrupt and discourage your lives. HE will pursue you. But if you will listen to counsel, wait on the Lord and trust His plan and protection, you will experience the good of His promise.
One day, you will proclaim, It is true! All God said to me has come to pass.
For more sermons please visit our SERMON PAGE
Please subscribe to our YOUTUBE PAGE
