Joshua 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
The news of the Lord’s Salvation in the Exodus Event and the defeat of the kings east of Jordan had apparently reached Jericho. God’s powerful acts of judgment and mercy have been made manifest for the world to see. This report caused their hearts to melt such that their courage was taken away.
The reaction of almost all the pagan world was to be afraid of God and His people, but not in the way that would cause them to acknowledge God as God and turn to Him for help. They just hardened their melted hearts, metaphorically shaking their fists at a god they don’t believe in. However, one person, Rahab, heard the same news and her melted heart was softened so that she believed and confessed that the Lord He is God in heaven and on earth and her God. Then she served God, was kind, and saved the two Israeli spies.
The Law of God is proclaimed to melt the heart, making it impressionable enough to receive Jesus through the Gospel. Like Rahab, the sinner and pagan prostitute, we are impressed by hearing the good news of Jesus’ violent overthrow on the cross and the resurrection. Our hearts melt when hearing the Word, and instead of hardening, we receive Jesus. Thanks to the Holy Spirit!