After receiving full directions from the LORD for the immediate conquest of Ca'naan, Josh'u-a sent officers through the camps of Is'ra-el to prepare the people for this new venture. "Within three days," said Josh'u-a, "we shall begin our march against the Ca'naan-ites. Prepare yourselves to cross Jor'dan, and take possession of the land which God has given us." He reminded the members of the tribes of Reu'ben and Gad that the agreement which they had made with Mo'ses must be faithfully kept, and they responded heartily to his order for all the men to join in this march.
It took great courage to cross the river Jor'dan, which separated the Is'ra-el-ites from Ca'naan, for it was a swift stream without bridges or fords. The low lands on either side were narrow, only three to five miles at the widest points. Back of these low lands, on the west side, the hills and mountains rose almost perpendicularly to great heights. At the season when Josh'u-a gave the order for crossing, the narrow banks of the river were flooded by waters from the snow-capped mountains in the north and by rain from the mountains on both sides. The Is'ra-el-ites had no boats to use in crossing this wide, dangerous river, but they had faith that God would help them to carry out the orders of Josh'u-a.
Looking across the Jor'dan from the camp of Is'ra-el, they could see Jer-i'cho, a strongly walled and fortified city of one of the tribes of Ca'naan.
Josh'u-a thought it wise to send two brave, reliable men across the river to spy upon Jer-i'cho. They were to study the city carefully, noting its fortifications and points of weakness, and looking for safe ways of approaching the city. They were also expected to mingle with the people, and to find out whether they were terrified by the possibility of an attack by the Is'ra-el-ites, or whether they were confident that they could defend themselves.
Two men chosen by Josh'u-a swam across the Jor'dan, and thoroughly inspected the surroundings and walls of Jer-i'cho. Then they entered the city to examine its defenses, but were discovered and pursued by officers. They sought refuge in the home of a woman named Ra'hab, and she hid them on top of her flat-roofed house, covering them with stalks of flax. When the officers searched the house of Ra'hab they were unable to find the two Is'ra-el-ites, and reported to the king that they had escaped from the city.
Ra'hab evidently knew something about the miraculous dealings of God with the enemies of Is'ra-el, and how He had delivered the Is'ra-el-ites from bondage in E'gypt. She is said to have hidden these spies because of her faith, even though she may have been superstitious and afraid. After the officers had given up their search of her home, she said to the Is'ra-el-ites,
"The people of this city know that your God is mighty, and that He has given you this land. They have heard of His mighty works for you, and are in a state of terror at the thought of your coming into the land. I believe in you God, and would like to serve Him. I beg you to spare my life, and that of my father and mother and brothers and sisters, when you take Jer-i'cho."
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