Two Spies
Topic: Evangelism
Type: Bible Story
Summary: Two spies go into Canaan and find exactly what they need in this epic undercover story. This short dramatic piece teaches a great lesson and is very engaging for children.
I’m here today to open up the B-I-B-L-E file, and tell you a Super-Secret Spy Story—straight from the “J” folder—“J” for Joshua. First I’ll need to debrief you on the background to this thrilling tale of espionage, action and adventure. The location: Just east of the Jordan River close to present-day Israel—only in that day, it was known as the land of Canaan, and it was inhabited by people who did not worship the one true God. However, there was one nation who worshiped God and they were called Israelites, and those Israelites had a secret: God had promised them that He would give them the land of Canaan. In the “N” folder—“N” for Numbers—I’ve read classified documents that reveal a top secret mission with 12 spies that took place forty years ago. After spying out the land for forty days, 10 of the agents came back and said it was a Mission: Impossible. (Obviously Double Agents, so God had to “take them out.” Of course the secretary disavowed any knowledge of their action.) But two of the spies (Big J and Agent C—Joshua and Caleb) believed God and lived. In fact, Big J became the top brass in Israel, and he answered only to God Himself. So when God told him to send out two spies on a surveillance mission to Jericho, he called for his top agents. The Bible doesn’t reveal their real names, so we’ll just call them Double-0-One and Double-0- Two. Now Jericho was a large walled city, but 001 and 002 were masters of disguise so they were able to gain entrance into the city of Jericho without too much trouble. Once inside, they found lodgings at Rahab’s Residence Inn—an establishment of questionable reputation, but also a place that should not attract too much attention AND it was conveniently located on the city wall—a room with a view is always desirable—especially since it also gives you another means of escape in an emergency. 001 and 002 wasted no time in scoping out the layout of the city—especially the huge walls that protected it from attack. They hastily performed surveillance on its state-of-the-art security system—primarily a whole bunch of heavily armed guards who constantly marched along the perimeter of the wall and guarded the gates 24/7. All was going as planned for our two agents when they heard a commotion, looked around and saw several armed guards running toward them. Obviously their cover was blown! A chase followed that would make today’s action movies look like Little House on the Prairie, but, while they’re running for their lives, I’ll fill you in on some facts covered in the report from the “J” folder. Apparently someone, perhaps a neighbor of Rahab’s, recognized 001 and 002 as Israelites and went to the authorities about Rahab’s suspicious guests. “Men came into the city tonight of the children of Israel to spy on us!” Well, it didn’t take long for that news to make it all the way to the king of Jericho, who straightway sent out a messenger with a royal command for Rahab: “Bring me the spies who came into your house today!” Well, it didn’t look good for our two spy friends, but they outwitted the soldiers by splitting up and then meeting back up at their rendezvous point—Rahab’s—not long after dark. With two spies on her doorstep and soldiers on the way from the king to take them, Rahab had to make a decision and act quickly—and the spies had to trust their lives into her hands. In seconds, she was leading 001 and 002 up to the roof of her house where she had them lay down and then covered them with large stalks of flax that she had laid out to dry in the sun. Rahab barely made it down from the roof when the king’s messengers barged in searching for the two men. According to the “J” folder, Rahab told those soldiers that the men were there, but they slipped past the guards at the gate when it was dark, just around the time of the shutting of the gate for the night. “Hurry! Pursue after them quickly!” She told the soldiers. “I’m certain you’ll be able to overtake them!” The soldiers rushed off to chase down the spies on their way back to the Israelite camp on the other side of the Jordan. Of course, Rahab’s story was a lie, but she didn’t know that God was able to protect his servants without her lying. Once the soldiers were gone, Rahab hurried back up to the roof. “I know that the LORD has given you this land. Everyone is terrified of you, for we’ve heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea to bring you out of Egypt! As soon as we heard about the power of the God of Israel, our hearts melted, and we lost all courage. For the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. So swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that you will also show kindness to me and my family, and deliver us from death.” 001 and 002 agreed. “Our life for yours. If you keep our secret, we will deal kindly with you when the LORD gives us the land. Bind this line of scarlet rope in the window and whoever is in this house will be safe.” Rahab was satisfied. “Now climb down and hurry to the mountain, and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers return. Afterward you may head back to your camp safely.” With that, the spies took hold of the scarlet rope and shimmied noiselessly down the rope and disappeared into the night. And Rahab bound that scarlet rope in the window—trusting the spies…and God…that she would be safe for now her life and her soul was in God’s Hands. She was now a special agent under a new king. Several days later, when 001 and 002 made it back to Israelite headquarters, they shared all of the details of their covert operation in Jericho with Big J, but perhaps the most amazing part of their report was their conversation with Rahab. The people of Jericho were watching God’s people. They noticed that God was protecting them and blessing them—even from far away. It was like they were spying on them. Well, the truth is, people are spying on you too. They’re watching you to see if your words and your actions indicate that you’re in the Lord’s camp. They’re spying out the places you go and the friends that you keep to see if you’re really in the service of the King of Kings. When it comes to being in God’s service, you don’t have to be a secret agent like Double R. Everyone should know that you’re a Christian!