Scripture: Joshua 1:1–9; Joshua 2; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25; Matthew 1:5.

Key themes:

• Trust and courage in transition
• God’s presence as the ground of obedience; the reversal of fear
• Rahab as a model of saving faith; scarlet cord/Passover thread to Christ
• Grace that brings outsiders in; redemption and legacy.

Description: We’re beginning a brand-new series through the book of Joshua—moving from Exodus and wilderness wandering into the Conquest of Canaan. Joshua 1 sets the direction: God calls His people to step into His promises with courage, obedience, and confidence in His presence. “Be strong and courageous” isn’t motivational fluff—it’s rooted in the reality that God goes with His people and asks them to trust His Word even when it’s costly.

Then Joshua 2 introduces one of the most surprising faith stories in the Bible: Rahab. While Israel once melted in fear before Canaan, Rahab reveals the reversal—Canaan is melting in fear because they’ve heard what God has done. In a decision that makes no sense by worldly logic, she protects Israel’s spies and declares that the Lord is God in heaven above and earth below. The sign of her rescue—the scarlet cord—echoes Passover and points forward to the saving work of Jesus. And the grace doesn’t stop at survival: Rahab is welcomed into God’s people and even shows up in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1). This episode is a hopeful reminder that God specializes in redeeming the unlikely, rescuing sinners, and turning broken stories into faithful legacies.