Joshua 2:22 - Meaning and Application

Here we have the safe return of the spies Joshua had sent out, and the strong encouragement they brought back for Israel as it prepared to enter Canaan. If they had wanted to discourage the people, as the bad spies did in Moses’ day, they could have reported the size and strength of Jericho’s walls, the king’s close watch, and how narrowly they escaped. But they had a different spirit. Trusting God’s promise themselves, they strengthened Joshua as well.

Their safe return was itself an encouragement to Joshua and a sign of good. God had provided them with such a friend as Rahab in enemy territory, and even though the king of Jericho was angry and the pursuers were eager, they came back in peace. This showed God’s special care for them on Israel’s behalf. It was enough to assure the people that they were under God’s guidance and protection, and that their advance would surely be blessed. The God who protected their scouts so wonderfully would also preserve their soldiers and cover their heads in the day of battle.

The report they brought was even more encouraging (v. 24). They said that all the people of the land, though determined to hold out, were melting with fear because of Israel. They had neither the wisdom to surrender nor the courage to fight. From this, they concluded, “The Lord has surely given us the whole land.” In effect, it was already theirs, and they had only to go in and take possession. The fears of sinners are sometimes a sure sign of their coming fall. If we resist our spiritual enemies, they will run from us, and that should encourage us to hope that, in time, we will be more than conquerors.