He Has Gone Before You
Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan.” — Joshua 2:8–10, CSB
Israel was preparing to enter and take possession of the Promised Land, just as God had declared. Joshua sent two spies ahead to scout out the city of Jericho and report back. When they entered the city, they came to the house of Rahab. She hid them on her rooftop when the king of Jericho sent men to search for them. The passage above records the conversation Rahab had with the spies before they went to sleep.
More than forty years earlier, God had delivered Israel from Pharaoh’s hand through Moses. He had promised them a land flowing with milk and honey. When they first arrived at the edge of that land, Moses sent twelve spies to explore it. He instructed them:
"Go up this way to the Negev, then go up into the hill country. See what the land is like, and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. Is the land they live in good or bad? Are the cities they live in encampments or fortifications? Is the land fertile or unproductive? Are there trees in it or not? Be courageous. Bring back some fruit from the land."
— Numbers 13:17–20, CSB
Unfortunately, ten of the spies brought back a negative report that spread fear and panic among the people. Although Caleb and Joshua encouraged the people with a faithful and hopeful message, the Israelites refused to listen. They grumbled against God.
Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the entire Israelite assembly. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire community: “The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land—a land flowing with milk and honey—and give it to us. Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!”
Yet the entire community threatened to stone them. Because of their unbelief and disobedience, God declared that none of those aged twenty and older would enter the Promised Land. They wandered in the wilderness for forty years until that entire generation passed away—except for Joshua and Caleb.
Now, over forty years later, the promise was being fulfilled. Rahab testified that the entire city was filled with fear because of what they had heard—the drying up of the Red Sea and Israel's victories over Sihon and Og. God had indeed gone before them.
Scripture reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God. When He tells us that He has made a way, we must believe Him—regardless of what we see. The generation that left Egypt and witnessed God's miracles did not enter the Promised Land because of their unbelief.
As Scripture says:
"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:9, ESV
And:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
— Joshua 1:9, ESV
Yeshua has not only gone before us and made every way perfect, but He also promises that He will never leave us. So, move with boldness in everything God has called you to do!
Key Takeaways
Take God at His Word and trust Him.
Do not be moved by what you see.
Goliath will always show up to intimidate—but God made Goliath.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCC Ministries TV: YouTube Channel
My published books are now available at: Amazon - Life’s Journey Volume 2 by Jacqueline Crooks