PROLOGUE — Before the Conquest, a First Secret Mission
Joshua 2 records the remarkable story of two spies sent to Jericho before the conquest began, and Rahab, the foreign woman who hid them. This chapter shows that it was not Israel’s military strength, but faith found in an unexpected place, that became the first step of the conquest.
ACT ONE — The Spies Hide in Rahab’s House (verses 1–7)
“And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.”
Came into a harlot’s house. An interesting choice — Rahab’s house was likely located near the city gate, a natural place to gather information about those coming and going. When the king of Jericho sent men to find them, Rahab made a decisive choice.
“And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate… whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.”
Took the two men, and hid them. Rahab set aside her loyalty to her own king and city, choosing instead to protect the spies of a strange, foreign people.
ACT TWO — Rahab’s Remarkable Confession of Faith (verses 8–13)
The most theologically significant portion of this chapter now follows.
“And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt… and as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt… for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”
For the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above and in earth beneath. This confession is astonishing — a foreign woman from Jericho made a clearer, more theologically precise confession of faith than any of Israel’s own spies. She acknowledged that Israel’s God was not a local deity, but the one true God of the entire universe.
Based on this confession, Rahab made a specific request for herself and her family.
“Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”
ACT THREE — The Scarlet Cord, a Sign of Salvation (verses 14–21)
The spies accepted her request, setting forth a specific condition.
“And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee… Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.”
Bind this scarlet cord. This symbol strongly recalls the blood of the lamb placed on Israel’s doorposts on Passover night. When judgment came, this visible sign marked that house for salvation. In the New Testament, Hebrews 11:31 explicitly includes Rahab in the list of people of faith, and James 2:25 cites her actions as a leading example of faith proven through works. She later appears in King David’s own genealogy (Matthew 1).
REFLECTION — Faith Found in Unexpected Places
The most remarkable insight Joshua 2 gives us is that genuine faith is often found in places we least expect — among foreigners, the marginalized, those regarded as socially lowly. Rahab was not an Israelite, nor did she hold an honorable profession. Yet her faith was clearer than anyone else’s.
Can you recognize, with an open heart, God’s work appearing in unexpected places or through unexpected people?
NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW
Joshua Chapter 3 — the miracle of Israel finally crossing the Jordan River on dry ground unfolds.
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