Introduction

Joshua 2 introduces one of Scripture's most remarkable converts: Rahab the prostitute. While the spies sent by Joshua gather intelligence about Jericho, they encounter a Canaanite woman whose faith exceeds that of many Israelites. Her confession of the LORD's power and her act of sheltering the spies secure her place in Israel's history—and in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

The Mission Begins (Verses 1)

[1] Joshua secretly sends two spies from Shittim with instructions: "Go, look over the land, especially Jericho." The men enter Jericho and stay at the house of a prostitute named Rahab. Her house, built into the city wall, may have been a logical choice for strangers seeking lodging without arousing suspicion. Yet this seemingly random decision would prove to be divine providence.

The King's Search (Verses 2-7)

[2-3] Word reaches Jericho's king that Israelite spies have come to investigate the land. He sends orders to Rahab: "Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land."

[4-6] Rahab has already hidden the spies under stalks of flax on her roof. She tells the king's men: "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them." Her deception sends the pursuers toward the Jordan fords.

[7] The king's men pursue toward the river, and the gate is shut behind them. The spies are safe—for now.

Rahab's Confession of Faith (Verses 8-11)

[8-9] Before the spies sleep, Rahab goes to the roof and makes a remarkable confession: "I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you."

[10-11] She recounts what she's heard: "We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed." The result: "When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you." Then comes her confession: "For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."

A Canaanite prostitute confesses what Israel itself sometimes failed to believe—that the LORD alone is God (Deuteronomy 4:39">Deuteronomy 4:39). Her faith came through hearing (Romans 10:17">Romans 10:17).

The Covenant of Protection (Verses 12-14)

[12-13] Rahab makes her request: "Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death."

[14] The spies agree: "Our lives for your lives! If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land."

The Escape and the Sign (Verses 15-21)

[15-16] Rahab lets the spies down by rope through her window, since her house is built into the wall itself. She advises them: "Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way."

[17-20] The spies give instructions for their oath to hold: "When we enter the land, you must tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and bring your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house." Anyone in the house with the scarlet cord will be safe; anyone outside will bear responsibility for their own death. But if Rahab tells what they're doing, the oath is void.

[21] Rahab agrees: "Let it be as you say." She sends them away and immediately ties the scarlet cord in the window. The cord becomes a sign of faith and a means of deliverance—reminiscent of the Passover blood on doorframes (Exodus 12:13">Exodus 12:13).

The Spies Return (Verses 22-24)

[22-23] The spies hide in the hills three days until the searchers return to the city. Then they cross back over the Jordan and report to Joshua.

[24] Their report confirms Rahab's confession: "The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us." The intelligence mission succeeds—not through military observation but through a prostitute's testimony about the terror of the LORD.

Key Takeaways

• Faith can come from anywhere: A Canaanite prostitute becomes a model of faith (Hebrews 11:31">Hebrews 11:31).
• Actions demonstrate faith: Rahab's risk-taking showed her belief was genuine (James 2:25">James 2:25).
• God's fame precedes Israel: The LORD's past acts created terror among Canaan's peoples.
• Salvation extends to families: Rahab's faith brought deliverance to her whole household.
• Grace includes the outsider: Rahab would become an ancestor of David and Jesus (Matthew 1:5">Matthew 1:5).

Reflection Questions

1. What does Rahab's confession reveal about how knowledge of God can come to unexpected people?
2. How did Rahab's faith differ from mere fear of Israel's power?
3. What parallels exist between the scarlet cord and the Passover blood?
4. How does Rahab's inclusion in Jesus's genealogy illustrate the scope of God's grace?