This is an edited old post from the old blog. The previous posts in this series are in the sidebar at the right.
Joshua Spares Rahab
Gustav Dore
After discussing the faith of the Israelites exhibited in the story of the fall of Jericho, the writer of Hebrews points us to the faith of Rahab. Rahab, you’ll remember, had a part in the story of the fall of Jericho, too.
By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of the disobedient, because she welcomed the spies in peace. (Hebrews 11:31 NET)
If you’re unfamiliar with her story or just a little rusty on the details, you can get up to speed by reading Joshua 2. According to this account, Rahab hid the Israelite spies on the roof of her house when the King of Jericho’s men were searching for them within the city. Aterward, she explained to the spies that she protected them because “the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below! (Joshua 2:11 NET)” She was willing to put herself in danger because of her conviction about the God of the Israelites.
Rahab was not the only person in Jericho who understood the power of the Lord. She explained to the spies that all the inhabitants of Jericho were scared of the Israelites because they could all see the works God had done on behalf of his people:
We are absolutely terrified of you, and all who live in the land are cringing before you. For we heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt and how you annihilated the two Amorite kings, Sihon and Og, on the other side of the Jordan. When we heard the news we lost our strength and no one could even breathe for fear of you. (Joshua 2:9-11 NET)
But while the rest in Jericho cowered in fear of the Israelites and their God, Rahab allied herself with them. She understood that the God of Israel was the one true God—“God in heaven and on earth”—and she showed her allegience to him by keeping his people from harm. Rahab acted in faith and her faith was vindicated. When Jericho fell
Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, her father’s family, and all who belonged to her. (Joshua 6:25 NET)
What’s more, Rahab lived the rest of her life in Israel and is one of the ancestors of Jesus listed in the geneology in Matthew. And here she is in the hall of faith; she has her own mention in this list of the faithful people of old.