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And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim. — Where the people then encamped, Numbers 33:49 and where the Midianites sometime, by the counsel of Balaam, Satan’s spell man, outwitted the Israelites by setting fair women before them, who soon drew them into those two sister sins, idolatry and adultery. Numbers 25:1-2 ; Numbers 25:18

Two men. — Not twelve, as Numbers 13:2-3 , for those were too many by ten; and did much harm among the people.

To spy secretly. — Heb., Silently. Silence is oft no small virtue; and he is a rare man who can both keep and give counsel.

Go view the land. — Of which though God had promised to possess them, yet Joshua knew that means was to be used. So 2 Samuel 5:24 . David had a promise of victory over the Philistines; but yet so as that he must fetch a compass behind them; and when he heard "the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberries," then he was to bestir himself.

Into a harlot’s house. — Or, Hostess, as some render it; but such as stuck not familiarly to entertain strangers. Hebrews 11:31 James 2:25 Upon her conversion she was advanced to become grandmother to Jesus Christ; who by his purity washeth off all our spots; like as the sun washeth and wipeth away all the ill vapours of the earth and air.

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And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.

And it was told the king of Jericho. — Kings have long ears; their ωτακουσται , informers and intelligencers, are in all places, but especially when Hannibal est ad portas, the enemy is at hand, as now he was.

To search out the country. — As we have cause to conceive. Optimus in dubiis agur timor.

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And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

For they be come to search out all the country. — "To see the nakedness of the land," as Genesis 42:9 . See Trapp on " Joshua 2:2 "

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And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they [were]:

And the woman took the two men, and hid them. — This was an act of her praiseworthy faith. See Hebrews 11:31 , where it is honourably mentioned, but nothing is said of the lie she told. God layeth the finger of mercy on the scars of our sins; as that painter in the story.

But I wist not whence they were. — This was no better than an officious lie: yea, four lies she here uttereth together in a breath, - as Jacob also did three, Genesis 27:19-24 - neither can she be excused. That was a worthy speech of a good woman on the rack, as Jerome relateth it, Non ideo negare volo ne peream: sed ideo mentiri nolo, ne peccem. But Rahab was yet but a new convert.

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And it came to pass [about the time] of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.

And it came to pass. — See Joshua 2:4 .

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But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.

But she had brought them up to the roof of the house. — Septuag., δωμα : ut et 1 Samuel 9:25 . Which was built flat in those parts, as they are also at this day in Italy.

Which she had laid in order upon the roof. — That it might be fully dried, as Nahum 1:10 the wicked are, that they may burn the better: like grapes, they ripen in the sunshine, for the winepress of God’s wrath. Revelation 14:19

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And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.

And the men pursued. — Not once searching the house. Thus God "maketh the wisdom of the wise to perish." Isaiah 29:14 See Matthew 2:8 . Herod went not himself, or sent some assassin to despatch the child Jesus; but sent the wise men to Bethlehem with charge to search, and bring him word. The Dutch have a proverb, Where God intendeth to blind any man, he first closeth up his eyes.

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And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;

And before they were laid down, — so., To take their rest, which in this fright they had little list to. "Sleep on now, take your rest," saith our Saviour by an irony to his drowsy disciples; q.d., Do so, if you can at least, now, with so many swords and halberds about your ears. Mark 14:41

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