Joshua 2:1–22

Shittim was the last camp of Israel outside the promised land. There they sinned so badly in Baal-Peor. Gilgal was the first camp inside the land, which they entered by a miracle. Remember it all, from your own deep sin and rebellion to the deep mercy of God.

Twelve men went before this, at the people's request. At that time they wanted to find out whether they were likely to overcome the enemy. Ten of the twelve reported that the odds were against them, so the people refused to go in... In this case, however, the men are told to view especially Jericho. They were not sent to decide whether to attack Jericho, but to find out Jericho's condition in view of Israel attacking them.

All the events attached to their mission can be called hidden work. In the same way, a secret work of God is going on today, while the course of the world is plain to every eye. In this Jericho of ours, faith in God's word about the judgment soon to be revealed is a mighty force. It keeps us at the hidden work of winning souls for God.

He may have had only thoughts of judgment. But God had thoughts of mercy, and He turned the two spies into evangelists. And now He chooses a prostitute as the object of that grace. This displays the riches of God's grace and shows that no person can be found beyond the reach of mercy.

What had they discovered? Nothing that faith could not have grasped already... The spies only confirmed the word of promise spoken forty years before... But what did they discover? They found a poor sinner who trembled at God's word. They showed her the way of salvation. She believed, and did not perish with those who did not believe. And this was the reason spies entered Jericho. The Captain of the Lord's army needed no spies. He could look over the highest towers of the city. He could search every man's heart.

God directed the two spies to the very house in the city where a prepared heart was waiting. Those who act by faith do not waste time; God leads them to the right places and the right people. Rahab's house would seem the most unlikely place to find fear of the Lord. But God never makes mistakes, and the servants He guides do not go astray.

The city was grossly immoral, so it is not strange that the spies came to the house of a prostitute. Some have tried to change her character by making her an innkeeper. But the word used here in the record, and in the New Testament too, rules that out. Why even try? Rahab, the prostitute, is a beautiful picture of the power of the gospel of grace.

Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai. He repeats what he had done in Joshua 2:1 about the land and Jericho. Then it was the path of God, but now the very same act becomes a merely human step, taken in his own strength... It was to some degree a lack of dependence on God, a confidence in human means.

They were not unseen. Their entry, though by night, was immediately reported to the king of Jericho. But when it is God's purpose to save, what can this king do? Rahab was one of God's sheep — not of the fold of Israel, but brought into it through grace.

We often refer to Jericho, but perhaps we overlook the Spirit of God's reference to the "King of Jericho" (vv. 2, 3). There was a direct personal challenge to the rights of the Lord in His people, a challenge to the divine right of way. Again someone comes to light in perhaps the most unlikely place, and this highlights the sovereignty of mercy. This is someone whose eyes have been opened to see that supreme rights belong not to the king of Jericho, but to the Lord.

The men are told to view Jericho in particular. They were not sent to decide whether to attack Jericho. They were sent to find out Jericho's condition in view of Israel's attack on them. Joshua had already told Israel that in three days they would cross the Jordan. There was firm decision to go forward, and Jericho was the first object of attack. In sending the spies God had at least two objectives in view. First, to confirm to Israel that God was already weakening the hearts of the Canaanites. Second, to save Rahab and her household from destruction.

The Captain of the host needed no spies. He could look over the battlements and highest towers of the city; He could search every man's heart. Besides, He was going to throw down their walls; no spies were needed for that.

Rahab looks to God. She is threatened with judgment, but she sees that God takes an interest in His people. She says to herself: if God is to be gracious to me, I must be with His people. So when the spies appear, Rahab by faith welcomes them in peace (Heb. 11:31). The world searches everywhere for them, wanting to be rid of the testimony of God. She hides them safely, valuing them as the means God would use to preserve her from coming judgment. Her deliverance depends on their preservation.

Rahab hides the spies, identifying herself at her own personal risk with those who are the people of God... The harlot Rahab has no righteousness to trust in, no moral character to commend her to God. But she has the faith of a poor sinner who clings to Him. That faith, as all true faith will, shows itself living and real — even though she lied to the king of Jericho's messengers. In that lie we see at once her faith and the weakness of it.

Rahab was a traitor to her country, and lied to the king; but it was to throw herself under the protection of the God of Israel. Her falsehood is not commended; her faith is (Heb. 11:31); and her works justified her before men (James 2:25).

Rahab was the one person in that whole city whom God had awakened. She saw that Israel was serving the true God, and that His rights came first. So she decided she must take sides with God against her own nation.

The two spies were talking with Rahab. She was telling them her strange account of failing hearts and lost courage because of the Lord's might. While they listened, the king of Jericho heard that they were in his city. At once direct opposition arose between him and Rahab. Alliance with enemies is madness. God's people must break with the world and Satan, and safety lies only in taking sides with God.

And what does the Holy Spirit tell us of Rahab? She received the spies who came to destroy her king and country. This would have been another detestable act, if it had not been bowing to God in faith. The one and only thing that made it acceptable to God was that He was leading His people, and she knew it and was obedient. This was the difference between her and every other person in Jericho.

But what did the spies discover? They found a poor sinner who trembled at God's word. They showed her the way of salvation, and she believed, and did not perish with those who refused to believe. This was the reason spies entered Jericho... They were not unseen. They came by night, but someone told the king of Jericho at once. But when it is God's purpose to save, what can this king do? Rahab was one of God's sheep — not of the fold of Israel, but brought into it through grace.

The harlot Rahab has no righteousness to trust in, no moral character to commend her to God. But she has the faith of a poor sinner that clings to Him. That faith shows itself living and real, as all true faith does, despite her lie to the messengers of the king of Jericho. In that lie we see at once her faith and the weakness of it.

Because of the lie Rahab told, critics would cast doubt on the truthfulness of the whole story. But God tells the truth about her character and her ways, as He does about everything. It is man who hides what is not to his credit. "By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies" (Heb. 11:31). Her faith, not her falsehood, is commended.

All Jericho had heard the terror of the Lord. But the report moved no one to seek Him as a Saviour, except this prostitute of whom God speaks well... She justified the Lord in His holy purposes of vengeance upon sin. She bowed herself beneath His mighty hand, and gave Him glory as the only God... In the men of Jericho the fame of God produced fear, but no repentance. They clung to their first confidences and watched their gates well. They were intimidated, but still unsubdued.

Sinful as she was, the Lord had begun a work of repentance and faith in her heart, as her words to the spies proved. It was not lust that led them to her home, but it was God's grace that did so. The king of Jericho heard that Israelite spies had come to the city, and he demanded that Rahab hand them over. But she was the one person in that whole city whom God had awakened. She saw that Israel served the true God, and that His rights came first. So she decided to take sides with God against her own nation.

If Abraham believed God when there was not a people, Rahab identified herself with this people when they had nothing but God. She knew well that the land was theirs by right. However strong their enemies were, with all their walled cities and iron chariots, their courage had melted away.

No doubt it had its risk. She held her life in her hand… The king could have put her to death for what he would call treason. And by human rules it certainly was treason. To the men of Jericho it must have looked like selling out her country and her king. But she measured everything by God. This is faith's reckoning.

What would be accounted an act of treason by men is viewed in its true light, by the Searcher of hearts, as an act of faith. Rahab believed that the living God was with the armies of Israel, and that Israel were His people, and she risked her life that she might be saved when the vengeance of God overtook the guilty nations of Canaan.

The rest of the people in Jericho had heard just as much as Rahab. But the report did them no good, because those who heard it did not mix it with faith. It reached Rahab's conscience, and she bowed to God against every natural reason and feeling… So she hid the two spies as the representatives of the people to whom God gave the land by promise and oath. These are two unchangeable things, and in them it was impossible for God to lie. Her faith rested on that.

Hebrews calls the men "spies," so to nature they were enemies. She knew that, and yet the scripture says "she received them in peace." Faith had made her change sides before she had any assurance. James calls them "messengers," and the Spirit notices her self-sacrificing care of them.

Because of the lie Rahab told, critics would cast a slur on the truthfulness of the whole story. But God tells the truth about her character and her ways, as He does about everything. It is man who hides what does not look good for him… God commends her faith, not her lie… Wherever people live, east or west, lying and deceit are hateful to God.

Was it right for Rahab to lie? No, it is never right to lie. Yet Rahab lied because she had faith in God. Not that faith made her lie, but she could see no other way of protecting the spies. A more mature faith might have acted differently, for God could work a miracle to protect the spies if He chose. Her lie showed her faith, but it also showed how weak her faith was.

Even in the very act where she shows her faith, she tells a lie. It is as if to cut faith off from every kind of merit, and to give us the plain picture of someone who "does not work," but whose only hope is in a God who "justifies the ungodly."

When the king of Jericho heard that Israelites had come to Jericho as spies, he demanded that Rahab should deliver them to him (v. 3). But she was the one person in that whole city who had been awakened to see that Israel was serving the true God and that His rights came first. So she decided she must take sides with God against her own nation. When the messengers came to Rahab, she lied to them. She said the men had come to her house, but she did not know where they were from, and they had left again as darkness was falling (v. 5). The messengers took her word for it, and took her advice to chase them quickly.

She received the spies that came to destroy her king and country. This would have been a hateful act too, if it had not been bowing to God in faith. The one and only thing that made it acceptable to God, was that He was leading His people, and she knew it and was obedient. This was the difference between her and every other in Jericho.

Was it right for Rahab to lie? No, it is never right to lie. Yet Rahab lied because she had faith in God. Not that faith made her lie, but she could see no other way of protecting the spies. A more mature faith might have acted differently. God could work a miracle to protect the spies, if He so chose. Her lie showed her faith, but it also showed how weak her faith was.

We must remember that our God is a God of truth. He does not want us to use tricks and deceit to win victories for Him. Rahab's faith was weak. It joined her to the Lord's people and moved her to use the sign of the scarlet cord, but it did not lift her above the fear of man.

Because of the lie Rahab told, critics would cast a slur on the truthfulness of the whole story. But God tells the truth about her character and her ways, as about everything; it is man who hides what is not to his credit. "By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies" (Heb. 11:31). Her faith, not her falsehood, is commended… No one need suggest that the word of God makes light of a lie, because it tells the truth about everybody, Rahab included.

The apostle James takes her up and asks us: "was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?" … Even in the very thing where she shows her faith, she tells a lie. It is as if to cut faith off from merit of every kind, and to give us the exact picture of one who "does not work," but whose only hope is in a God who "justifies the ungodly." (Rom. 4:5.)

This woman's full character by nature comes out: not only is she a prostitute, but it seems natural for her to lie. She deceived the king of Jericho, who had sent to ask about these men. Such is the sinner whom God in His grace delights to take up. He gives divine faith to her soul and works repentance in her heart.

The world searches everywhere for them, wanting to be rid of the testimony of God. She hides them safely. She values them as the means God would use to keep her safe from the judgment to come. Her deliverance depends on their preservation. She does not need to gain certainty by seeing Jericho surrounded by the army of the Lord. That would not be faith, which is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

There is a lovely spiritual significance in this. She had the material from which linen is made, laid in order. Linen is a symbol of "the righteous deeds of the saints" (Rev. 19:8). Rahab had been given over to sin. Yet God had so worked in her heart that her own house now held the material for acts of righteousness, and it lay in fitting order. Her life had been disorderly before, but here was the promise of change.

Rahab hides the spies, identifying herself at her own personal risk with those who are the people of God. Her works justify her as a believer. Their character shows that she has faith, and this is what James speaks of. They do not justify her as righteous before God. Paul denies that absolutely in the case of Abraham (Rom. 4:2). Rahab the prostitute has no righteousness to trust in, no moral character to commend her to God. But she has the faith of a poor sinner that clings to Him. That faith, as all true faith will, shows itself as living and real, in spite of her lie to the king of Jericho's messengers. In her lie we see at once her faith and the weakness of it.

Was it right for Rahab to lie? No, it is never right to lie. Yet Rahab lied because she had faith in God. Not that faith made her lie, but she could see no other way of protecting the spies. Perhaps a more mature faith would have acted in another way. God could work a miracle to protect the spies, if He so chose. Her lie showed her faith, but it also showed the weakness of her faith.

Because of the lie Rahab told, critics would cast a slur on the truthfulness of the whole story. But God tells the truth about her character and her ways, as He does about everything; it is man who hides what is not to his credit... Her faith, not her falsehood, is commended.

And what strength and weakness meet here! The men who were lying under stalks of flax to hide them from their pursuers guarantee safety to all who will take it from them. The Son of Man, the despised One of Galilee, Jesus, the rejected, seals the forgiveness of a sinner. What glimpses of Christ we get through the chinks and openings of the Book of God from its very beginning!

Places where a brook or river could be crossed on foot or by mules, sometimes called PASSAGES. As far as is known there were no bridges across the Jordan until the time of the Romans. There was, and still is, a ford constantly used near Jericho. Joshua 2:7; Judges 3:28.

Israel had been facing the Jordan, which was in full flood, as was usual during harvest time. There were fords in the river, but at that season they must have been few, and unusable for a great army. Even so, the two spies had managed to cross and recross near Jericho (Joshua 2:7).

They were not unseen. Word of their arrival reached the king of Jericho at once, even though they came by night. But when it is God's purpose to save, what can this king do? Rahab was one of God's sheep — not of the fold of Israel, but brought into it through grace. At that moment grace was breaking its bounds even for Israel.

The two spies were talking with Rahab. She was telling them her strange account of fainting hearts and lost courage because of Jehovah's might. While they listened, the king of Jericho heard they were in his city. At once direct opposition arose between him and Rahab. Alliance with enemies is madness. God's people must break with the world and Satan, and safety lies only in taking sides with God.

Was it right for Rahab to lie? No, it is never right to lie. Yet Rahab lied because she had faith in God. Not that faith made her lie, but she could see no other way to protect the spies. Perhaps a more mature faith would have acted in another way. God could have worked a miracle to protect the spies if He chose. Her lie showed her faith, but it also showed how weak that faith was.

Because of the lie Rahab told, critics would cast a slur on the truthfulness of the whole story. But God tells the truth about her character and her ways, as He does about everything. It is man who hides what is not to his credit. "By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies" (Hebrews 11:31). Her faith, not her falsehood, is commended.

Her house was on the town wall, and she lived on the wall (2:15). The walls fell down at the shout of the people. But her house must still have stood intact, for the spies went into it and brought out to safety everyone who was in it (6:22-23). Because her house stood on the town wall, the spies could escape from the city, even though its gates were shut and closely guarded.

When the men of the city had gone out in pursuit of the spies, the gates were shut. Then Rahab came to the spies before they slept. She spoke to them in such a way that there was no doubt: God had truly awakened her to some reality of faith in Him (vv. 7-8). She told them, "I know that the LORD has given you the land."

Standing with Rahab upon the flat roof of her house (v. 8) and looking around, we learn a lesson for our own times. Notice the growth of the city, its recent improvements, its great high walls and its bronze gates. Look at the face of nature. The mountains stand in their places as they always have. As before, the valleys are golden with ripening grain and the hillsides purple with fruitful vines, for it is harvest time. Prosperity and the hope of increasing greatness are everywhere. The expectation of the future fills the soul. How little does the world dream that the sickle about to reap the harvest is one of judgment!

Everything about their mission can be called hidden work. In the same way, a secret work of God is going on today, while the course of the world is plain for all to see… God directed the two spies (Joshua 2:1) to the very house in the city where there was a prepared heart. Those who act by faith do not waste time. God leads them to the right places and people. Rahab's house would seem the most unlikely place to find the fear of the Lord. But God never makes mistakes, and the servants whose ways He directs do not go astray.

They were sent to view the city as spies. But really they were messengers of grace to a woman who was a sinner. She trusts the word they bring — good news — as she had earlier bowed to the coming judgment. Her soul was prepared to receive the message of mercy. None accept grace except those who bow to God's sentence against themselves. God's grace is only truly good news to the soul that admits the rightness of judgment.

The men of the city went out to chase the spies, and the gates were shut. Then Rahab came to the spies before they slept. She spoke to them in such a way that there was no doubt God had awakened her to some reality of faith in Him (vv. 7–8). She told them, "I know that the LORD has given you the land."

What use were Jericho's high walls, if the hearts of its defenders melted within them? But fear is not faith. All had heard what the Lord had done for Israel. All were afraid because of Israel. But not all knew that the Lord had given them the land. Rahab, however, did. She was surrounded by idolatry and all its filthy rites, yet that woman had learned, and knew, that Israel's God was the true God. She had no doubt of it… She had taken their side, she had taken God's side, against her people and her country, and that at the risk of her life.

And what strength and weakness meet here! The men who were lying under stalks of flax to hide from their pursuers assure safety to all who will take it from them. The Son of Man, the despised One of Galilee, Jesus, the rejected, seals the forgiveness of a sinner. What glimpses of Christ we get through the chinks and openings of the Book of God from its very beginning!

Faith is at rest towards God and active towards people. The testimony of the spies filled Rahab with assurance about her own salvation, and with energy for the lives of her whole family. She believed judgment would soon fall on her city. So her cry was, "Save alive my father, and my mother, and my brothers, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death."

She lets us know a little about the state of feeling in Jericho. Her reasoning was sound, according to faith. It was no mere sentiment, nor a sudden feeling either. There were many who shared her fears; but who shared the faith of Rahab? The warriors of the city were not without the same apprehensions. But in her case, as often in ours, God's Spirit worked where at first there was simply dread. God followed this up, replacing it with living faith in Himself and in His love for His people.

Reading Joshua 2 we might have supposed that she was a woman of poor morals and no principle, who was anxious to escape her doom. But the fact was that her eyes had been opened to see God. The Canaanites merely saw Israel. "The fear of you has fallen upon us," she said, "all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you." Her attitude, however, was this: "I know that the LORD has given you the land." This was faith, and her actions showed that she dared to side with the God of Israel.

How did she know this? Not a city was taken in Canaan, not an inch of its territory was annexed, not even a blow had yet been struck. The Jordan ran as a barrier against Israel on the other side, and at that time it was overflowing all its banks. How did Rahab know what neither the king nor the people of Jericho knew? It was by faith. "For we have heard" — and faith comes by hearing.

Like her people, she is filled with fear. But they had lost all courage, while for her this very fear is the beginning of wisdom. It is the fear of the Lord, a fear which makes her look to God. At once she gains the certainty ("I know," v. 9) that this God is a God of grace for His people. Faith is not mere human imagination which likes to deceive itself and sees things in whatever light it pleases. It is not the human mind building conclusions on possibilities or probabilities. She says, "I know," because she had heard what the Lord has done.

Though the people of the land were by far the strongest, and Rahab knew that, their strength had left them despite their chariots of iron. Rahab says, "I know that the LORD has given you the land"… There was genuine faith with her.

Years before, the Lord had sent an arrow of conviction into the conscience of many a Canaanite. For centuries they had been going on wickedly, filling up their sin, and in her day God's patience had reached its limit. … The Spirit of the Lord was striving with people, and clearly with her. But sadly, it is possible to stifle convictions. Satan deceives. The heart deceives. Appearances deceive. To the eye, Jericho could not be taken. … And Satan has a deadly power. Even when he cannot drive fear away completely, he can give such an outward look of safety that people say "peace and safety" despite their secret misgivings.

By her faith, Rahab condemns the Canaanite world — for all the inhabitants of that land had felt the report of what God had done by Israel, as well as herself; but she alone had acted on it.

Not a city in Canaan had been taken, not an inch of its territory annexed, not even a blow yet struck. The Jordan ran as a barrier against Israel on the other side, and at that time it was overflowing all its banks. How did Rahab know what neither king nor people of Jericho knew? It was by faith. "For we have heard" — and faith comes by hearing.

She traced their crossing to God alone and to no lesser cause. Nor did the men of Jericho share the unbelief of moderns who pretend that Moses knew and used a ford in passing the Red Sea. She understood the truth because she had faith.

The word of God comes to her: "We have heard," she said to the spies. It was a word which assured grace and deliverance to some, and judgment to others. Like her people she is filled with fear. But they had lost all courage, while for her this very fear is the beginning of wisdom. It is the fear of the Lord, a fear which makes her look to God. At once she gains the certainty ("I know," v. 9) that this God is a God of grace for His people… Faith is not mere human imagination which likes to deceive itself… she says simply, "I know," because she had heard what the Lord has done.

The business of the city, its commerce and its luxury, the eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, birth and death, go on as in earlier generations. To the scoffers in the city the story of judgment has grown old. Forty long years ago they, or their fathers, heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea. Now that same people stands at their gates claiming their land. But the story is old, and there is nothing now for them to fear!

God is indeed "slow to anger." The evil of the Canaanite nations was great in Abraham's day, but even so He held back their judgment 400 years: "the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete" (Gen. 15:16). From Rahab's words to the spies we learn that the guilty nations were aware that God's executioners were on their way. They had heard of God's heavy hand upon Egypt, and of the destruction of Sihon and Og. Yet there was no repentance on their part.

Forty years earlier the faint-hearted spies had brought discouragement into the camp of Israel. They had judged by what their own eyes saw, and unbelief makes hearts melt. They did not know the real state of the people of the land. Rahab's words now declare this secret, hidden from Israel for forty years because of their grumbling and unbelief… Two servants of the Lord can look at the same battlefield with very different eyes. One sees the outside of the world's walls, and the brazen faces of its unbelieving giants. The other sees into the hearts of men, which, for all their talk, tremble at the thought of death and of the coming judgment.

The rest of the people had heard just as much as Rahab. But the report did them no good, because those who heard it did not mix it with faith. It reached Rahab's conscience, and she bowed to God in the face of every natural reason and feeling. She was right about the folly, the sin, and the ruin of fighting against this God. He had delivered His people from the power of Egypt and crushed their Amorite enemies beyond recovery.

Like her people, she is full of fear. But they had lost all courage, while for her this very fear is the beginning of wisdom. It is the fear of the Lord, a fear which makes her look to God. At once she gains the certainty ("I know," v. 9) that this God is a God of grace for His people... Faith is not mere human imagination. Such imagination likes to deceive itself and sees things in whatever light it pleases. Faith is not the human mind building conclusions on possibilities or probabilities. She says simply, "I know," because she had heard what the Lord has done.

Further she knew, and she confessed it, that the Lord their God was God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Then He was the One true God. There was, there could be, no other. She lived in the middle of abounding wickedness. Idolatry surrounded her, with all its filthy rites, and with altars and shrines on every high hill and under every green tree. Yet that woman had learnt and knew that Israel's God was the true God, and that He had given them the land. She had no doubt of it. Her language was clear and precise. "I know," she could say.

Here is a woman (Rahab) who sides with the destroyers of her city... her conduct was disgraceful among men on earth. Her justification was that earth had revolted from the God of heaven and earth. Her faith recognised this, however dimly, for she says, "The LORD your God, He is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath." So she returned to her (and our) true allegiance. That made her a traitor in Jericho, but she sought and found mercy with God.

Her actions are easy to criticise, yet they had this supreme merit. They showed that she had lost faith in the filthy gods of her native land. She had begun to believe in the might and mercy of the God of Israel. Now this was exactly the point, for the faith she professed to the spies was, "I know that the LORD has given you the land... for the LORD your God, He is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath" (Joshua 2:9-11). Did she believe this? She did, for her works showed it. She risked her own neck to identify herself with the people who had the LORD as their God.

In the literal history it showed that even the doomed Canaanites might have escaped their doom. They could have escaped by such a repentance and turning to God as was found in Rahab. The prophet announced this principle openly later (Jer. 18:7, 8). It was a gospel of fact for all and every nation, before there could be a gospel of words.

Faith is at rest towards God and active towards men. The testimony of the spies filled Rahab with assurance about her own salvation, and with energy for the lives of her whole family. She believed judgment would soon fall on her city.

This is clear evidence of a work of God in her heart, because harlotry shows no regard for proper family relationships. In the same way, when someone has been saved out of an ungodly life today, it is wonderful to see how concerned that person is that close relatives should be saved.

And now her faith rises higher; she regards the two men as the servants of the LORD, who cannot lie. Faith seems to say, there is nothing too much to claim from God. Father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all that they have. Do you not think that Rahab's ancient faith puts many of us to shame? Think of the grasp of that faith — and in the city of destruction, too.

And what was the result? Did the Lord tell her that she asked too much? Did He say, "No, Rahab, you may be saved, but your house cannot be saved on your faith"? He said no such thing. His promise was to "all your father's household" (Joshua 2:18). It reminds us of the wonderful promise to the jailer at Philippi: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:31). No one should think that individual faith is unnecessary for salvation. It certainly is necessary. But God's own way is that the individual may put in a claim, by faith, for the whole household — and that is just what Rahab did.

She sincerely bows to the judgment on her own people. It was just as truly on her and her relatives, and it was too late to try to make them better. She begs life from God for herself and for them, otherwise it will be utter destruction. It was indeed a very real cry — "Deliver our lives from death" — and the ready reply of the men confirms the thought that the Lord used them as His messengers. "Our life for yours" was the immediate and reassuring answer, and her salvation was secure.

She wanted an assurance she could rest on, and a token she could turn to. But the men were strangers to her. What did she know of them? Nothing. She would bring God into the matter and make Him a party to the agreement… Uncertainty she could not endure. She craved and desired assurance of deliverance from the coming judgment. And by making God a party to the agreement those strangers entered into with her, did she not show her confidence in the faithfulness of their God?

In a similar way we have the bare word of God for our confidence. We rely on it for our eternal good. "Give me a true token," does anyone say? God's revealed word is the assurance for our souls.

Notice how perfect and worthy of God the answer is. She had said, "Swear to me… that you will deliver our lives from death"; and the messengers reply, "Our life for yours." Her faith finds in others — as we find in Christ — the guarantee by substitution that death would not reach her.

Notice how perfect and worthy of God the answer is. She had said, "Swear to me … that you will deliver our lives from death." The messengers reply, "Our life for yours." Her faith finds in others (we, in Christ) the guarantee by substitution that death would not reach her.

If Joshua is not in the secret of God's grace, the spies he sends cannot be under orders to carry it out. They are, however, ready for such a service. This is truly blessed. They were not entrusted with such a business, or under orders about it. Yet they carry it out at once, without reserve and without any doubt about their right to do it. They act with complete confidence and decision. They had heard nothing from their captain about such a thing. Still they pledge deliverance to Rahab. They make the security of that Canaanite as full and as perfect as that of any Israelite in the camp — as rich and full, even, as their own.

"Our life for yours," say the spies to Rahab, "if you do not tell this business of ours." How strikingly the great principle of the gospel expresses itself there! That word of the spies demanded faith. And faith is what stays true to Christ's humiliation, weakness and sorrow. It is faith which holds to Jesus in the hour of His cross. Christ crucified is faith's secret. To abandon that secret would be death.

Now her faith rises higher; she regards the two men as the servants of the Lord, who cannot lie. Faith claims the kindness of the Lord. Faith seems to say, there is nothing too much to claim from God. Father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all that they have. Do you not think that Rahab's ancient faith puts many of us to shame? Think of the grasp of that faith — and in a city marked for destruction.

It is an immense thing to be able to give souls such assurance. Like the spies to Rahab: "Our life for yours." Those are grand words. She, as it were, says, "What can you tell me from God? Give me a true token." "Our life for yours." Oh to be able to comfort souls in that way — to give them the positive assurance from God, those souls who would gladly accept salvation but are busy with their accepting of it!

There was faith in Rahab: "I know that the Lord has given you the land." There was repentance, self-judgment: "As soon as we heard these things our hearts melted." And there was prayer: "I pray you swear to me by the Lord." Blessed marks of the work of the Holy Spirit in the sinner! And is it not worth noticing that every desire the Spirit prompts is answered to the full? Did not God give her a true token? Did He not deal kindly and truly with her? Did He not save alive her father and mother, brothers and sisters, and all that they had?

But Rahab wants a "token," and the spies are able to give her that. She lets them down by a line of scarlet thread, and that line is tied in the window as a sign. The sign is not for her, but for the messengers of judgment when they come. It tells them that judgment is not to fall on anyone in that sheltered house. What has been the means of their own deliverance they give to her as hers. The likeness to the blood-sheltered houses on the night of the Passover is clear at once.

A scarlet thread is enough to be her token and safeguard. It is a humble picture of the death of One who could have said: "I am a worm and no man." The blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts turned away the judgment of the destroying angel. In the same way, the scarlet thread hung from the window of a house built into the town wall would keep the house and everyone in it safe when the wall itself fell at the sound of the LORD's trumpets.

The walls fell down at the shout of the people. But her house must still have stood intact, for the spies went into it and brought out into a place of safety all who were in it (6:22-23). Her house on the town wall let the spies escape from the city, though its gates were shut and under close guard. Her house on the wall made the scarlet line in the window easy for the invading army to see. And her house stood on the wall while the wall to right and left must have fallen flat. That shows God watched over her at that solemn moment.

Her home was on the wall, as far from the centre of the city as possible — just the place for a believer who is in, but is not of, the world. Her house was the only place in the city of destruction where salvation could be had... Her window faced out of Jericho, and the scarlet cord was tied in it. That is how every house where Christ is known should look out. Its windows should not look towards the world, but towards the Coming One. Her door was open to Jericho, to get people into the place of safety.

Dear reader, how beautiful is Rahab's faith! She does not wait, as the spies suggested, until the people "come into the land" (v. 18) to tie the scarlet line in the window. They are hardly gone when she hurries to put it there. In this way she testifies to what she has believed. Her faith does not linger. From now on it speaks out loud. From her window she proclaims Christ and the power of His work to save the most wretched of sinners.

God had decreed the destruction of the city and the entire country. Even so, this exception is mentioned a few times, to impress us with the reality of the grace of God and His willingness to save souls. In just the same way, God has decreed the judgment of the world today (Acts 17:31). Yet in grace He is saving souls out of the world when they receive the Lord Jesus as Saviour by faith.

There is intelligence in Rahab. She can tell the spies how to act — to go to the mountain, hide three days, and so on.

The gate had been closed, so the spies could not leave that way. But Rahab's house was on the wall, and she let them down by a rope from her window. She suggested that they go the opposite way from Jordan, and hide for three days until the pursuers were back in the city.

Rahab received the messengers with peace because her only expectation was from God. For the same reason she protected them, and sent them out another way. She risked her life for theirs. This was a work of faith (James 2:25). God's people were her people from the moment they gave her a true sign of salvation.

The spies had to hide three days in the mountains before they dared try to cross the Jordan, which was now in full flood. Would they ever reach the river and rejoin the camp of Israel? Jericho was stirred up, and men searched the country to find them.

They were going there now at the risk of their lives. In a day or two they would go led by the ark and in the company of the glory. They were going now as the witness and the channel of blessing to a poor sinner of the place. In a day or two they would go to carry out the judgment of the Lord, and to share the spoils and the inheritance. They were now weak and in danger, glad of the shelter of a few stalks of flax to hide them from the pursuer. But very soon they would be in victory and honour in the same place.

Because of the lie Rahab told, critics would cast a slur on the truthfulness of the whole story. But God tells the truth about her character and her ways, as about everything; it is man who hides what is not to his credit. "By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies" (Heb. 11:31). Her faith, not her falsehood, is commended. Rahab had no right to tell her king a lie. If her faith in the Lord had gone further, she would have trusted in Him for deliverance, instead of in her deception.

Nothing could satisfy Rahab but the promise of salvation for herself and her family. She spoke as one over whom a doom was hanging, which, if possible, had to be turned aside. A vague hope, resting on no real foundation, a fine speech from the two men — nothing of that kind could satisfy her. She wanted an assurance she could rest on, and a token she could turn to. But the men were strangers to her. What did she know of them? Nothing. She would bring God into the matter, and make Him a party to the agreement... She asked for a solemn promise on their part. They gave it to her on the condition that she kept their visit a secret.

But Rahab wants a "token," and the spies are able to give her that. She lets them down out of the window by a line of scarlet thread. That line is tied in the window as a sign that judgment is not to fall on anyone in that sheltered house. The sign is not for her, of course, but for the messengers of judgment when they come. What had saved the spies themselves they now give to her as her own means of rescue. The likeness to the blood-sheltered houses on the night of the Passover is obvious at once. The "scarlet" was in fact the blood of an insect, the "worm" of Psalm 22, and in this way how plain the reference to the Lord!

It was a token to her and a sign to the coming executioners of judgment, when Jericho fell. They saw that scarlet line; but she was not told to look on it... And we must not forget that two living witnesses gave her the assurance of salvation.

How beautiful is that request of hers for all her house! How sweet is the grace that now invites everyone in the City of Destruction to take refuge! The scarlet line protects all alike who take refuge there. In the house or outside it — that was the only question. Those gathered there differed in condition, experience and feeling, and in degrees of guilt or of goodness. None of that had anything to do with their safety. Salvation was the common lot and portion of all of them. They were saved by that scarlet line in the window, and not by anything in themselves at all.

The spies pointed out to her the way of security. Her part was to obey, and to trust. She did what they told her; she trusted what they said. She found that this was all she needed to do. She had put the scarlet line in the window, and she waited in confidence behind it. Those outside the city could see there was one inside it who counted completely on the promise of those two men.

Her house stood on the wall. The wall to the right and to the left must have fallen down flat, yet her house was clearly still standing. That shows God watched over her at that solemn moment, and over all in that house. She found, and they found, that all who took shelter behind that scarlet line had security and salvation from destruction.

God is pledged to deal kindly and truly. He has given a sure token. He has given His only-begotten Son. In the city of Jericho, the scarlet line was a figure to "whoever" believed the word of God. The precious blood of the Lamb is all that, and much more. It was fastened in the window — He was nailed to the cross.

But Rahab wants a "token," and the spies are able to give her that. She lets them down out of the window by a line of scarlet thread, and that line is bound in the window as a sign. It is not a sign to herself, of course, but to the messengers of judgment when they come. It tells them that judgment is not to fall on any in that sheltered house. What has been the means of their own deliverance they give to her as hers. The likeness to the blood-sheltered houses on the night of the Passover is clear at once.

Scarlet is a well-known symbol of royalty. Rahab bound the bright colour in her window in faith for her own salvation through the word of the spies, and in hope of the coming of her saviours. Its lasting colour, a colour that comes out of death, proclaimed the kingdom. The crimson dye comes from the death of the little creature it is taken from. It may point to the blood of Jesus, whose kingdom shall be established by the power of His reconciling death.

The scarlet line by which the spies escaped is bound by herself in the window. It was a token to her and a sign to the coming executioners of judgment, when Jericho fell. They saw that scarlet line; but she was not told to look on it. How scarlet speaks of the blood hardly needs to be mentioned. It is the type of being sheltered by the blood. "When I see the blood, I will pass over you," was spoken to Israel, behind the blood-sprinkled doorposts.

Dear reader, how beautiful is Rahab's faith! The spies suggested she wait until the people "come into the land" (v. 18) to bind the scarlet line in the window. She does not wait. They are hardly gone when she hurries to put it there, testifying in this way to what she has believed. Her faith does not linger; it speaks out loudly from now on. She proclaims from her window Christ and the power of His work to save the most wretched of sinners.

An appropriate sign was given her not only for her own sake but for her family. Salvation came to her house that day, though they were poor and guilty Gentiles. Their deliverance shines all the more brightly against the destruction of all the rest. Those carrying out judgment on Jericho guarantee the safety of Rahab and all her house.

Each member of her family could be sure of safety once he or she had crossed the threshold of her house. They were safe not simply because Rahab believed the spies, but because each one had taken refuge with her behind that scarlet line. None could be lost who stayed inside that house. What a company it was! Each one was no better in character than the others in Jericho. Yet together they were marked out, separated from all the rest, because they had taken refuge from coming judgment behind that cord in the window. Behind that line, and inside that house, was the only place of safety. It was not safe because of where the house stood, nor because it was well built. It was safe only because of the scarlet line kept on display in the appointed place.

Is this not a wonderful display of grace, which God pledges to whoever takes refuge in the house of faith, in this doomed city of wickedness? Not a soul will perish who takes refuge under the shelter of the scarlet line. This is very simple. Judgment is the certain doom of whoever is found in the street of Jericho. Life and salvation are the assured portion of whoever is found in the house of faith.

She had to bring her family into the house at that time. Anyone outside the house could not count on any protection (vv. 18-19). This may remind us of the Passover in Egypt. Blood on the doorposts and lintels marked a house, and everyone inside it was safe from God's judgment (Ex. 12:12-13). So the red cord symbolizes the blood of Christ which shelters from judgment.

Let us look more closely at this token, this line of scarlet thread. Under its security not Rahab only, but her whole house, stays safe. Some of us know at once, and know well, what it refers to. We have no doubt at all that here is one of those hints that keep coming back — a hint of what was always in the mind of God from the beginning. The ages were hurrying toward it as their appointed completion. It divides all human history in two, as it divides the human race itself: the blood, the precious blood of Christ.

How beautiful that request of hers for all her house! How sweet the grace that now invites everyone in the City of Destruction to take refuge! The scarlet line protects all who come there alike. In the house or outside it — that was the only question. Those gathered there differed in condition, experience, feeling, even in degrees of guilt or of goodness. None of that had anything to do with their safety. Salvation was the common lot and portion of all of them. They were saved by that scarlet line in the window, and not by anything in themselves at all.

A fitting sign was given to her, not only for her own sake but for her family. Salvation came to her house that day, though they were poor and guilty Gentiles. Their deliverance shines all the more brightly against the destruction of all the rest. The men who carry out judgment on Jericho guarantee the safety of Rahab and all her house.

Rahab asked for herself and for her relatives. She wanted salvation for them all, though at that time perhaps none of them knew what she knew. She learned that they could be saved as well as herself. But each one had to make use of the shelter of the scarlet line. They could be saved with her, but none of them could be saved if they stayed outside her house. Each one had to act in the appointed way, and stay inside her house, in the window of which was that meaningful token.

When the spies went to bring Rahab out of the doomed city, out of that house sheltered by the scarlet line in the window, they found there "her father, and her mother, and her brothers, and all that she had; and they brought out all her families, and left them outside the camp of Israel" (Joshua 6:23, margin). They did not say, "Rahab, you have taken this word 'household' to mean too many." On the contrary, the Lord delights to record how far Rahab's faith reached, and He honours it in full.

He made provision for Rahab in the day of Canaan's judgment, just as He had made provision for Israel in the day of Egypt's judgment. She escaped simply because she received the word by faith and used God's provision, hanging the scarlet line out from the window. And so it still is.

She bound the scarlet line in her window as the spies departed. "Now is the accepted time" was her practical belief, for tomorrow might bring destruction.

But Rahab felt she must act, so she put the scarlet line in the window, according to the word of the spies. Anybody, everybody might see it, but she knew what it was — the token and the confession. The confession, that she sought salvation from the coming judgment; the token, that she would be delivered from the doom of her people. Did she wait to bind the scarlet line in the window until the enemy had closed in around the city and cut off all hope of relief? From the account given to us one would suppose not. She did not know how or when Jericho would fall. But she was clear that it would fall, for she well knew the Lord would give Israel possession of the land.

She lets the spies down out of the window by a line of scarlet thread. That line is bound in the window as a sign — not to herself, of course, but to the messengers of judgment when they come. It tells them that judgment is not to fall on anyone in that sheltered house. They give her, as her own, the very thing that saved them. The likeness to the blood-sheltered houses on the night of the Passover is at once clear. The scarlet was in fact made from the blood of an insect, the "worm" of Psalm 22. How plain, then, the reference to the Lord! There is only one thing that can secure the sinner in the day of judgment, and of that God gives us many assurances.

Soon, very soon, came the test of her confidence... For six days they marched around Jericho. No shout came from the people, and no arrow flew into the city. For six days these tactics must have appeared to those inside to be a show of power without reality. The walls were just as strong on the sixth day as on the first... Did Rahab take down the scarlet line when she saw the city still standing? We may be sure she did not. She knew the judgment would come, whatever the delay. She knew too that her hope of safety lay in that line staying in the window, where it could be seen.

How beautiful that request of hers for her whole house! How sweet the grace that now invites everyone inside the City of Destruction to take refuge! The scarlet line protects all alike who take refuge there. Inside the house or outside it — that was the only question. Those gathered there differed in condition, experience, feeling, and even in degrees of guilt or goodness. None of that had anything to do with their safety. Salvation was the common lot and portion of them all. They were saved by that scarlet line in the window, and not by anything in themselves at all.

The spies could not leave by the gate, because it was shut. But Rahab's house was on the wall, so she let them down by a rope from her window. She suggested that they go the opposite way from the Jordan, and hide for three days until the pursuers were back in the city.

There is real understanding in Rahab. She can tell the spies what to do: go to the mountain, hide three days, and so on.

We can describe everything connected with their mission as hidden work. In the same way today, a secret work of God is going on, while the course of the world is plain for all to see. Faith in the word of God about the judgment He is about to reveal is a mighty force in this Jericho of ours. It keeps us at the hidden work of winning souls for God.

There may be a question about the three days spoken of in chapter 2:11 and the three days the spies hid. Whether these two are the same three days is not clear. But the spiritual lesson of the three days matters most. It speaks of resurrection, and so of Israel acting in "newness of life," in the energy of resurrection power.

Spies! They went to her house, stayed hidden the whole time, then escaped by the window, fled to the mountain and hid again for three days. What had they discovered? Nothing that faith could not have grasped already. "I will send my fear before you, and will destroy all the people to whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you" (Ex. 23:27 etc.). The spies only verified the word of promise spoken forty years before… But what did they discover? They found a poor sinner who trembled at God's word. They showed her the way of salvation, she believed, and she did not perish with those who did not believe.

They were going there now at the risk of their lives. In a day or two they would go led by the ark and in the company of the glory. They were going now as the witness and the channel of blessing to a poor sinner of the place. In a day or two they would go to carry out the judgment of the Lord and to share the spoils and the inheritance. They were now in weakness and danger, glad of the shelter of a few stalks of flax to hide them from their pursuers. But very soon they would stand in victory and honour in that same place.

Having left the sign in place, the messengers returned to the camp. They were in the place of power. Rahab and those dear to her were in the place of safety.