The Story of Rahab

The Story of Rahab (Joshua 2)

God rescues those who trust Him

God told Joshua that the time had finally come for the Israelites to enter the Promised Land! The wait was over! It was an exciting time for Israel, but maybe a little scary too. You see, there were other people living in that land already, and God had told the Israelites that it was their job to drive the people out. God encouraged Joshua by saying, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua sent two men to spy out the city of Jericho. God lead these two men to stay at an innkeepers dwelling, the house of Rahab, a harlot. Jericho was a wicked city that had rejected God and His ways. Yet in their midst, there was one woman that not only believed the stories she had heard about the God of the Israelites, but she also feared Him. Rahab had heard about how the Lord dried up the Red Sea and how the Israelites conquered many cities east of the Jordan River. She heard about these things and decided to help the spies.

The king of Jericho had also heard about the Israelites but he took the opposite approach. He knew that they were an enemy to be reckoned with. The king sent messengers to Rahab telling her to bring out the spies.

Rahab took the spies to her roof and told them to hide under some stalks of flax. Just then, the king’s messengers knocked on her door. She must have been a little nervous as she opened the door to let them in.

“Where are those Israelite spies?” they demanded.
Rahab replied, “The men were here, but they have left the city. If you hurry, you will be able to catch up with them!”

Now why do you think Rahab protected the spies? Why didn’t she turn them in to the king? Well, after the king’s men left, Rahab told the spies what she had heard about Israel. She told them, “I know that the Lord has given this land to you and all in the city are in great fear of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt. When we heard this our hearts melted with fear and everyone’s courage failed them. I know the Lord your God is God of heaven above and on earth below.” She knew in her heart that God was the one true God and He alone deserves worship.

Rahab begged the spies to spare her and her family since she had shown them kindness by hiding them. The spies promised that her family would be kept safe as long as they stayed inside her home when Israel came to attack the city. Rahab’s house was built into the wall of the city so she was able to let the men down out of a window so they could leave the city. They then told her to tie a scarlet rope in her window to serve as a sign to Israel to spare Rahab and her family. They also reminded her that she and her family would not be saved if she told anyone that the Israelites were about to invade Jericho. As soon as the spies left, Rahab tied the scarlet cord in her window.

Rahab immediately obeyed the command to mark her home with the scarlet cord. Her faith was shown by her obedience. When we have genuine faith in God, it will be seen outwardly by our obedience to His Word. Let our actions reveal our faith.

The spies returned to Joshua and told him how the people of Jericho were melting in fear of the Israelites and said, “The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands.”

The Canaanites saw God’s power and might, and they feared Him, yet this rotten city was doomed for destruction. It is not enough to recognize there is a God or to acknowledge that He is powerful. It is vital to turn from the wickedness of sin to the gracious love of God.

Rahab acknowledged that the Lord God was above all and she and her family were indeed saved when Jericho was destroyed. Rahab’s faith was the substance of something hoped for, it was the evidence of something not seen (Hebrews 11:1). And by her faith she and her family did not perish with them that believed not (Hebrews 11:31).

God forgave Rahab of her sins and saved her from His judgment. Even though she wasn’t an Israelite, God welcomed her into His family because of her faith. Rahab was considered righteous for saving the lives of the spies, it was her faith in God, and the action that she took because of that faith, that saved her (James 2:25). Not only that, but she was the great- great- great- grandmother of Jesus! You see God’s plan of salvation wouldn’t be just for the people of Israel. God loves people from every nation and wants to bring us all close to Him.

Rahab and her family were only made safe, as they stayed in her home marked by the scarlet cord. This story is a picture of us. For in the same way, we as Christians are made safe in the Day of Judgment only when we abide in Christ and trust that His sacrifice has purchased our forgiveness. He alone is our Savior and Lord, our hope of salvation.

And just like Rahab, anyone who trusts God and has faith in His Son Jesus is saved because…

God rescues those who trust in Him!