The benefit of the strategy

Joshua had the experience of having been a spy for God's people. His report on the recognition of the land "where milk and honey flow" was an expression of trust and fidelity to what God had promised for his people. Perhaps that show of courage and trust in the Most High, earned him to be the chosen one of God in the epic of conquest (Numbers 13: 1–16).

Joshua, literally means "the Lord is salvation." The archetype of the visionary leader who accompanied Moses to receive the law on Mount Sinai, the strategist described as a man “filled with the spirit of wisdom” (Num. 27:18), the obedient and trusting servant of God's promise of that he would not abandon him if he took care to keep his Word. Now it was necessary to prepare the people for battle. To get to Canaan there was an obstacle: Jericho, the walled city. It was strategically important to defeat Jericho to access Canaan. And it was necessary to send spies to scout the terrain. The whore Rahab was the instrument to hide them so they could fulfill their mission and inform Joshua.

The church of Christ needs men like Joshua; Strategic-minded leaders who, before making a plan, explore its context and turn apparent threats into opportunities to achieve God's purposes. The road - difficult and narrow - will often be surrounded by obstacles like Jericho, but if he promised to accompany His church on her mission, he will be with her "until the end of the world." When the church becomes disconnected from its context and ignores the reality that surrounds it, it will be impossible to see the walls of Jericho and it will be tortuous to reach the Canaan of promise.

The church needs to be prepared to face the great challenges of the Kingdom of God. Do we need spies to know the terrain and overcome obstacles? Well, of course it is! Missionaries are spies specialized in glorifying God with their reports of faith and hope. And since God is no respecter of persons, we will meet on the way people of the quality of Rahab who will reach out to us and recognize that the advance of the Kingdom is unstoppable and will join the plan.

Crossing the Jordan and taking Jericho was part of Joshua's strategy to achieve God's promise to his people. One detail: Joshua sent the spies "secretly" (Joshua 1). Sometimes the prudence and discretion of the church of Christ will be necessary to accomplish God's purposes. When the word of God is lived in the body of Christ, the wisdom from on High becomes the "milk and honey" of his obedient children and we can go on safe from having been good interpreters of the divine strategy to break down obstacles and make reality God's plans for his church and his children.

God bless your word!

Suggested Reading: Joshua 2