“For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.”
My Notes
What Does Joshua 2:10 Mean?
"We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you." Rahab tells the Israelite spies what Jericho knows: the Red Sea story has reached Canaan. The Exodus isn't a secret. The military victories over Sihon and Og aren't hidden intelligence. The news has traveled ahead of the army. The reputation precedes the arrival.
The verb "heard" (shamanu) means the information came through reports — oral transmission of the Exodus narrative across international boundaries. The story of God parting the sea has been told and retold across the ancient Near East for forty years. By the time Israel arrives at Jericho, the city already knows who they're dealing with.
Rahab's two-item evidence list — the Red Sea and the Amorite kings — covers divine power (supernatural sea-parting) and military success (defeating real armies). The combination is devastating: this God does miracles AND His people win wars. The opposition faces both supernatural and natural disadvantage.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What has God done in your life that might have already reached people you haven't met?
- 2.How does God's reputation traveling ahead of you change your confidence?
- 3.What combination of supernatural power and practical victory defines your testimony?
- 4.What 'Jericho' might already be terrified because your story preceded your arrival?
Devotional
We heard about the Red Sea. We heard about Sihon and Og. The whole city knows. Jericho has been listening to the Exodus story for forty years, and by the time Israel shows up, the city is already terrified.
The reputation arrived before the army. The stories traveled faster than the marching feet. Before a single Israelite soldier stands at Jericho's wall, every citizen inside has heard: their God parted a sea. Their God destroyed two kings. And now they're here.
Rahab's testimony reveals something the Israelites might not have known: the nations are afraid of you. While Israel was wandering in the wilderness, complaining about food, and burying the previous generation — Canaan was listening. The stories of God's power were spreading across borders. The narrative that sustained Israel's faith was simultaneously undermining Canaan's courage.
The two-evidence combination is strategically overwhelming: God does the impossible (parts the sea — supernatural) AND Israel wins battles (defeats kings — military). The enemy faces a people whose God controls nature AND whose army defeats armies. There's no winning against both dimensions.
Your reputation may be doing work you don't see. The stories of what God has done in your life may have traveled to places you haven't reached yet. The people you're about to encounter may already know about your God — and may already be afraid. The narrative precedes the arrival.
What has God done in your life that might already be changing the landscape before you arrive?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
For we have heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt,.... To make a…
The matter is here settled between Rahab and the spies respecting the service she was now to do for them, and the favour…
dried up the water The inhabitants of the land had heard of two important events, which filled them with alarm; (a) the…
Cross References
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