Second ChanceRead Joshua 2:1, along with Numbers 13:1, 2, 25–28, 33; and Numbers14:1–12. Why would Joshua start the mission of conquering thePromised Land by sending out spies?________________________________________________________________________________________________________The place from which the two spies are sent out, Acacia Grove (Josh.2:1, NKJV), is called Shittim in the Hebrew text, and it reminds us oftwo negative episodes of Israel’s history.The first is another spy story (see Numbers 13) featuring the sameessential elements: the commissioning of the spies, the secret incursionof the spies into enemy territory, the return of the spies, the report ofthe spies on their findings, and the decision to act based on the report.The other incident at Shittim represents one of the most defiant, idolatrous violations of the covenant by the Israelites, when, at the instigationof Balaam, they committed a debauchery with the Moabite women andworshiped their gods (Num. 25:1–3, Num. 31:16 ). In this context, the nameShittim creates an extraordinary tension as to the outcome of the wholestory. Will it be another failure on the border of the Promised Land? Or willit lead to the long-awaited fulfillment of the ancient promise?Read John 18:16 –18, 25–27, and John 21:15 –19. What parallels do youdiscover between the second chance given to Israel as a nation andto Peter as a person?____________________________________________________God is a God of second chances (and more!). The Bible callsthe second chance (and more!) “grace.” Grace is simply receivingwhat we don’t deserve. The teaching of the Bible is replete with theconcept of grace (compare with Rom. 5:2, Eph. 2:8, Rom. 11:6).God graciously offers everyone the possibility of a fresh start (Titus2:11 –14). Peter himself experienced this grace and urged the churchto grow in grace (2 Pet. 3:18 ). And the news gets even better: weget much more than a second chance, don’t we? (Where would webe if we didn’t?)Think about the experience of the Israelites when they were givena second chance to enter Canaan and about the grace extendedto Peter after he denied his Lord. What should these incidentsteach us about how we should extend grace to those who need it?