Rahab and the spies

Israel was about to cross the Jordan; they were only days away from embarking on the conquest of Canaan. Just before the crossing, however, we read that Joshua sent two spies to take a look at Jericho. Jericho sat just west of the Jordan River, a few miles north of the Dead Sea; it was the first city that Israel would be encountering, and would therefore be the first city Israel would have to fight. From a military perspective, it is not wise to leave enemy fortresses in your wake, because you...