Spies in the Bible.

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What are some of your favorite spies, spy stories, and or spy like moments in the Bible?

 

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There is a lot to learn in the art of espionage within this story. I believe we wage a secret and hidden war that most do not even know about. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal; And we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

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Here is my favorite spy story.
(For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son):

God's Undercover Agent

By Rev. Darren Edgington


As a young child, the Mission Impossible television programs tantalized me. I couldn’t wait to watch the next nail-biting episode. I can recall the introductory music, and can visualize the puff of smoke as the mysterious tape self-destructed in five seconds. There was something delightfully intriguing about the life of a secret agent.

Our best efforts to portray the mystery of espionage cannot ever supercede God’s story. The unveiling of God’s undercover agent makes the best episode of Mission Impossible quite trivial.

The superstar of God’s story is of course Jesus of Nazareth. Those who came into contact with him often wondered out loud, “What manner of man is this?” *He appeared ordinary. But in reality, he was far from it.

In many Mission Impossible episodes a spy would peel off a fake mask. *Beneath they were really someone else. Jesus’ identity is far more mysterious.

In the fullness of time the Bible declares that the eternal Son of God took to himself a complete human nature, not a mere mask. In the manger in Bethlehem was what appeared to be just another baby. But Jesus was more than meets the eye. *God and man – the perfect union of two natures in one person - now that is some mystery!

God’s secret agent veiled his unique identity throughout his life. He even spoke to the masses in parabolic forms of speech so that, “though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand” (Luke 8:10). His Father also participated in the cover-up, hiding things from the wise and intelligent (Luke 10:21).

Frequently after performing some jaw-dropping miracle, Jesus stated that his identity must remain a secret. He repeated this order at one critical juncture. He had drawn his disciples aside to inquire about their opinion regarding his identity. Peter correctly asserted that the Jesus was the long-expected Jewish Messiah, the Christ. It is noteworthy that Jesus immediately “warned them not to tell anyone about him” (Mark 8:30).

Put yourself in one of the disciple’s sandals for a moment. Can you imagine knowing with certainty that Jesus was the Christ that everyone had been waiting for, then not being able to tell anyone? *This is front-page news! Why must they be silent?

At that time Jesus began to unravel the purpose of his undercover operation, but only to the inner circle. His mission to Jerusalem requires a special task: “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this” (Mark 8:31-32).

Jesus sequestered the disciples on two more occasions and explained the details of God’s mysterious plan. It is obvious from the text that they remained in the dark.

Why was Jesus so careful to retain this undercover status?

The people wanted the messianic king to deliver them from Roman tyranny (and the disciples all wanted a prominent cabinet position!). The problem was that they had predetermined the nature of his mission. Jesus would not allow any man to dictate his role. He was God’s agent. He would not be deterred from God’s mission.

Jesus’ words in Mark 10:45 define why he came: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

What the disciples failed to grasp is that the expected messianic Lion is also the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 – the Lamb of God who is pierced for our transgressions. The eternal Son went undercover so he could lay down his life on Calvary. *The ransom price for many had to be paid. *Prevailing misconceptions must not be allowed to keep him from fulfilling his mission.

After the resurrection and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment at Pentecost, the formerly confused disciples proclaimed Jesus’ identity and mission with vigor. And what was central in their message? Jesus Christ, and him crucified. No cross . . . no Christianity.

The undercover agent had a dual identity. The royal Lion is also the pierced Lamb. What an intriguing mystery!


​

Source:
Lighthouse on the hill

 

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One of my other favorite spy stories is the "Story of Rahab and the Two Spies."

 

[jamesbond007]

I'm not sure if it's a spy thing, but mine would be as witness.

 

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I'm not sure if it's a spy thing, but mine would be as witness.

"After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." (John 6:14).

Yes, Jesus was bringing into light what was hidden in Scripture.

"The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him." (Deuteronomy 18:5).

I believe the "Story of Jesus" is the "Ultimate Spy Story."
He was in my opinion, the ultimate spy.

 

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I also like the Story of Rahab and the Two Spies.

There are a lot of lessons we can learn from this spy story.

Many might disagree with me, but I do not believe Rahab lied according to God's Word. She used a common tactic of deceiving one's enemy as a part of protecting others from being hurt physically. This tactic is used a lot in war time. For I believe this was a war tactic just like when Joshua was told by the Lord to attack the city of AI in a way that deceived them. Lying is done for selfish reasons to protect only your own behind. For example: Murder is taking another person's life selfishly for your own dark reasons. Suicide is self murder. Yet, if one were to sacrifice their life for others.... it is considered the highest form of love (Sort of like what Jesus Christ did for us).

Granted, does this mean we can use deception like Rahab? Well, I do not think we are in any physical war for God with anyone to protect God's people. I am not so sure I could do what she did, either. I could say something slightly misleading and yet still be making a true statement. For example: If Nazi's came to my house looking for Jews that I had hidden in my house, I could say: "Do you see any Jews in this house?" "Take a look around."

 

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Again, I do not believe Rahab broke the 9th Commandment and lied. The 9th Commandment was in regards to not deceiving your good neighbors. Back in the Old Covenant, this did not apply to God's enemies. I believe Rahab was using the "art of war" in protecting the interests of God's people during war time. For she did not lie to protect herself or to cover up another sin or anything of that nature. This was war!

For in war time or in protecting your loved ones or God's people, a person can use the art of war to defend that which is good. This sometimes unfortunately involves deceiving and or eliminating your enemy; However, these things are not done out of selfish ambition, but they are done in order to preserve innocent lives or to protect the common good.

For the Hebrew midwives had lied to the Pharoah's servants to protect the innocent (Exodus 1).

And King David pretended he was crazy when he was not crazy in front of the enemy king of Gath named "Achish" (1 Samuel 21:10-15).

Also, Elisha deceived the enemy when they were blinded by lying about where he was taking them. (2 Kings 6:19).

In addition in Joshua 8:
Joshua himself went in battle against the city of Ai, they pretended that they were being defeated and they retreated. They weren’t being defeated—it was a trap. The Israelites deceived them.

But I believe God calls us to a higher calling today.
We should be careful not to lie. For Revelation 21:8 says all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire.
Yes, we are to be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves;
But I do not think God would call us to deceive under the New Covenant.
The OT was different because they were in flesh and blood physical wars for God.
Whereas we are fighting a spiritual war within the NT, instead.
We should always seek to be honest and true in everything we say for our Lord Jesus Christ.

I believe the statement from Ecclesiastes is fitting here.
There is a time for war, there is a time for peace, etc. (Ecclesiastes 3).

 

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Rahab was justified by her works in sending the spies out another way.

"Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?" (James 2:25).

So if what she did was the breaking of the 9th commandment, then we would have a contradiction in the Bible. This tells me that Rahab was merely using a tactic or strategy that was common in war-time. We are not fighting physical wars like the Israelites (where the taking of life and art of deception was common place during war time). For that is what a spy is. A spy is somebody pretending to be a friend or a person who is unnoticed. They are not openly declaring who they are. They are hidden. The art of deception is used as a part of war. Most countries that are strong have a spy network and deception is used to fight their enemies. Granted, times have changed and the kingdom Christians are a part of is not like a secular government. We are under a New Covenant with new commands. We fight an unseen spiritual war. God calls us to be holy as He is holy and to walk a higher moral road. For remember, Jesus said,

"You have heard that it has been said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you that you should not resist a wicked person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." (Matthew 5:38-39).

"You have heard that it has been said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you," (Matthew 5:43-44).

In other words, the rules (or the Law) has changed (Hebrews 7:12).


Source Used:
King James Bible 2016

 

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Here is another interesting thing I discovered in another spy story in the Bible:

In Numbers 13, when Moses sent out the 12 spies into Canaan, they fetched a cluster of grapes which took two men to carry.

Jesus said in John 5:39 that the Scriptures testify of Him.

I believe Jesus is representative of this grape cluster that they carried. For there were two men on each side of Jesus at the cross.

Jesus said to His disciples that the fruit of the vine (the juice from grapes) within the cup was representative of his blood of the New Testament, which was shed for many for the remission of sins.

27 "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
"Drink ye all of it;"
28 "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."" (Matthew 26:27-28).

 

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The first mention of spying in the Old Testament was in the story of Joseph. While this was not a spy story per say, we learn of spies for the first time in the Bible at this point. When Joseph had became a powerful man in Egypt and his brothers came to visit Egypt to buy food during the famine (without them recognizing him), Joseph accused his brothers of being spies.

 

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In the Law of first mention in the Bible, we can usually see a theme that transpires in all the other occurrences of the mention of spies. In this case, spies according to Joseph were not a good thing to him. Yet Joseph was accusing them falsely, though. In the situation with the spies in Canaan, the mission was a success, yet the majority of the spies except Joshua and Caleb all had given negative reports (Thereby giving spies a bad name). For spies were supposed to be courageous. In the story of Rahab: We learn about two spies of God who were considered a great threat to the city Rahab was living in. Yet, these two spies were her salvation. However, the ultimate spy story was the story of Jesus, though. For Jesus was the ultimate spy. He accomplished the greatest top secret mission for the salvation of all mankind. Yet, Jesus was despised and He was accused falsely; All because He loved us so very much.

 

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Here is another interesting thing I discovered within the Story of Rahab and the Two Spies:

"Rahab's Scarlet Thread is like that of Christ's blood and or blood line:"

(a) Scarlet thread Rahab uses to let Joshua's two spies to escape is symbolic of Christ's shed blood allowing us to escape unharmed from spiritual death.

(b) The scarlet thread is representative of the blood line of a coming Messiah.

(c) The scarlet thread that was tied at her window to protect her and her family when Joshua was going to attack her city is a parallel to the Passover in Exodus. For just as Joshua would pass over her house by seeing the scarlet thread, the Lord passed over the houses with the blood on the door posts on the Passover.​

 

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What are some other spies in the Bible?

Well...

New Covenant Believers are Sort of Like Covert Operatives (or Spies) for the LORD. For...

#1. Christ tells us that we are to give to others in secret (Matthew 6:4).
#2. Christ tells us that we are to pray in secret (Matthew 6:6).
#3. Christ tells us to fast in secret (Matthew 6:16-18).
#4. Christ tells us that we are to be as innocent as doves but as wise as serpents (Matthew 10:16). This means we are to be cunning (without compromising morality) when we preach the gospel house to house.
#5. Christ tells us the mysteries of the Kingdom (secret knowledge) is not given to unbelievers (Matthew 13:11). For even Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:7 that, " we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world"​

For even the battle we fight is an unseen battle or an invisible war.


"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12).

 

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Our battle is a hidden one. For we wage a war that we and other people cannot see with the battle ultimately belonging to the Lord: We are in a fight to keep ourselves pure before God and to lead others to Christ. We cannot see all the victories of the good the Lord does within our lives. We do not see God and or his angels helping us in our time of trials. We cannot see all the souls we helped to bring to Christ. We do not see how what we do with the Lord (being our man of war thru us) and how that conquers more and more the powers of darkness. Our weapons are spiritual. Such as loving God with ever fiber of our being and loving others. Preaching the gospel. Praying for our enemies and doing good unto them. Helping the poor. Being humble before God and admitting our sins and or faults. Not looking to appear outwardly religious to others but seeking approval of only God instead of men. Being as innocent as doves but as wise as serpents. Using all of our spiritual armor that God would always want us to have on (Ephesians 6). Seek God's glory and victory and not our own. For after all, it is His battle. An unseen war that we wage with Him (and for Him). For without Him, we can do nothing. So sound the battle trumpet for the others, my brothers and sisters; And let the glory be to the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

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The Sword of the Spirit:

Prayer:

Shield of Faith:

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;" (2 Corinthians 10:4).

 

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Here is a topical resource on spies if anyone is interested.

Topical Bible: Spies

 

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What is another secret thing we do as a part of being God's people? Well, by the fact that we dwell in the "Secret Place of the Most High" (See Psalms 91:1). What is this Secret Place? I believe it is Jesus Christ. How so? Well, Jesus (Who is the uncreated, eternal second person of the Godhead) had made many pre-incarnate appearances in the Old Testament. In one of His many pre-incarnate appearances in the OT, he had said that his name was "secret." For

In the Story of Samson's Birth -

Judges 13:3-23

Note especially verses 17-18. Manoah said to the Messenger of the Lord, "What is Thy Name?" (v.17) and the Messenger of the Lord said, "Why asketh thou thus after My Name, seeing it is secret?" The word "secret" may be translated "wonderful." It is the same Hebrew word found in Isaiah 9:6 – "His Name shall be called wonderful." In Isaiah 9:6 the term is used as a name of Christ who is also called "the Mighty God." The fact that the Lord's messenger was God was certainly known by Manoah. After the messenger of the Lord appeared to him Manoah said, "We have seen God!" (v.22).

In other words, Jesus is called "secret" here. Now, lets look at....

The account in Revelation -

Revelation 21:22

"And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."

Jesus is the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the entire world. Jesus is the LORD God Almighty. So Jesus is also the temple thereof. Jesus also said his body was a temple, too (John 2:19-21); And Jesus lives forever more to make intercession for us. (Hebrews 7:25).

A temple is a place. Jesus is called a temple in the Scriptures. So Jesus is a "Place"; And yet also Jesus is also called "Secret" in the Old Testament (with one of His pre-incarnate appearances).

So it appears that this is a good beginning within the Scriptures to help us understand that Jesus is our "Secret Place of the Most High." However, is that all the testimony we have on this? I don't believe so.

Here is a quote from a really good article. Here is what it says: -

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalms 91:1)

If the Bible is primarily a spiritual book, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and to be interpreted and discerned by spiritual men and women, then the natural explanation of things is insufficient to get at the real truth contained within its pages.

In the mind of the Spirit everything points us to Christ – there is no compartmentalization, there is no “thing” that has significance by itself. Everything is connected and pointing us to a deeper reality, and the reality we are being constantly brought around to is the Person of Jesus Christ. He is the theme, the subject, the point of everything written, everything illustrated, everything taught, everything recorded in the Bible.
And so the Temple reveals something of Christ. The Sabbath day reveals something of Christ. The Promised Land reveals something of Christ. Every saint in the Bible reveals something of Christ. Every symbol, every type, every shadow, all points to a very real Person, a very real substance. “Of Him, through Him, and unto Him are all things” (Romans 11:36). The natural interpretation of things, the historical view, is only the surface-level. The real riches, the real treasure, is found beneath the surface. You have to go deeper than the carnal, natural understanding, it requires spiritual seeing, spiritual discernment.

And so, whenever we come across something in Scripture like “The Secret Place of the Most High God”, we who are spiritual – who have the Holy Spirit as our Teacher – should be trained enough by the Holy Spirit to be able to recognize immediately: that is Christ. There He is. I see yet another dimension of Him here.

Let me ask, how can you make the Lord your habitation, your dwelling place? How is that possible? This can only be interpreted spiritually, it is absolutely impossible, and hardly conceivable, if we think of it naturally. How can the Lord be my dwelling place? How can I live in the Lord? Well, it’s like Nicodemus saying, “How can a man enter into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

How do we make the Lord our habitation? How can He become a place for us to dwell in? Well, it was a mystery for them in the Old Testament. They could go to the Temple, and they knew the priest could enter into the Holy of Holies, and perhaps that would be the closest anyone could get to dwelling, abiding, in the Lord, or at least, being in the presence of the Lord. But that was only for a few priests, it was not available to everyone.

Then we come to those wonderful words of Jesus in John 15, and we begin to understand. It is quite beyond human explanation. It remains a mystery, a locked door, until the Lord Jesus Himself comes to us and reveals the mystery and unlocks the door. He says, “Abide in Me, and I will abide in you” (John 15:4). It doesn’t take a very brilliant person to make the connection between Psalm 91 and John 15. The language is the same. Read John 15, then go back and read Psalms 91 again. All those words – abide, dwell, live – they all mean the same thing. “He who dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” goes right together with “Abide in Me, and I will abide in you.”

Yes, this Secret Place where we abide is Christ. It is not some thing or some place outside of Christ, but a place in Christ Himself. HE IS THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. He is that place that has been prepared for us.

Now when we read Psalms 91 it takes on an even greater significance. If you hold on to Psalms 91 for physical protection I don’t mean to discourage you or anyone else from doing so; but I do encourage you to dig deeper and get hold of it for something far better. It is a spiritual refuge, a spiritual covering, a place where evil cannot touch you, because you are hidden in Christ. A place where the body may become weak and may even be destroyed, beheaded like John the Baptist, stoned like Stephen, crucified like Peter – but the spirit cannot be touched. The communion and fellowship and presence of Christ Himself keeps you in His own Victory, a Victory that survives everything else, that goes beyond your own mortality, beyond your years here on earth, and goes with you up and away and apart from the earthy and the physical and the temporal – on into eternity.

Anyways, I hope this helps you understand the Secret Place of the Most High that we dwell within a little better.

May GOD bless you all.
And please be well.

Sincerely,

~ Jason.


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Article Source:
http://theschoolofchrist.org/articles/christ-the-secret-place-of-the-most-high.html
(Please take note that not all views expressed by this author or website may not reflect all my views and beliefs; I am merely agreeing with the article as it is written here. - Thank you).

 

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Colossians 3:3
"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

 

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