Rahab Joshua 2

Joshua 2:1 "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."

(References: Heb 11:31, James 2:25)

Rahab was a harlot or prostitute. That was not all she was. She has a very important place in history. See Matthew where the line of Christ is recorded. Because of the English being translated from different languages, Rahab is translated Rachab in Matthew. "v5 "And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; v6 And Jesse begat David..."

Remember in the book of Ruth how Naomi came back from Moab and Ruth insisted on coming with her. Rahab's son was the one who had mercy on the Moabish woman and also married her. Rahab was David's Great Grandmother! Right on through to Christ. There is the scarlet thread. Her story should be very inspiring to Christians. So, let's look at her good qualities.

She was caring for her family. v13 "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."

No doubt Rahab had dreams of her own. Perhaps, she would like to have married and had her own family. Yet, she was at home taking care of her parents and the other children. We could look down on her because of her occupation but we were not there and so do not know the circumstances. I'm not saying her occupation was right, her purpose was a good one.

She was a believer. v11 "...for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." She had heard of the miracles done by the Lord in bringing Israel out of Egypt. It convinced her that He was the true God. Notice she first said your God but also her personal affirmation that 'he is God'.

She also believed that Jericho would fall and that the people were afraid as the LORD said in Deuteronomy 2:25 "This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven..."

She was a smart woman and a doer. She knew how to get the spies out of the city and knew how long the searchers would seek them. v6 "But she had brought them up to the roof of the house and hid them...v15 "Then she let them down by a cord through the window..." v16 And she said unto the, Get you to the mountain...and hide yourselves there three days..." The plan worked and the two spies escaped to return to Joshua with the information that the people of Jericho feared them.

I want to focus on the cord used to let the two spies down from the house which was upon the wall of the city. This cord or thread as the spies called it was red or scarlet. I think of the blood of Jesus when I read this. The spies were in a sinful place. They could not escape alone. They needed help. Someone (Rehab) offered the scarlet thread and they accepted it and were rescued.

Later, it was the scarlet thread hanging in the window that saved Rehab and her family. I see a wonderful picture of salvation in this story. v18 "Behold when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window..." The scarlet thread saved the two spies and it saved Rahab and her family.

The names of the two spies are not mentioned. The focus is on Rehab and the scarlet thread. We will find Rehab's name given honor in the New Testament. Hebrews 11:31 "By faith the harlot Rehab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace."

Let's jump to chapter 6 verse 25 to complete this part of the story. "And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household and all that she had and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho."

I believe I can say, that no matter who you are or what you have done, there is a place in the kingdom of God for you. John 3:16 reference.

The story of Rahab is a wonderful story and I hate to leave it but I must limit the length of these posts or folks might not read them. God Bless.

Psalms 35: 18 "I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people."

References: Deut.1:8,2:25,Ex 14:31,Num 21:21,Josh 6:23-25

Chatsworth, Milton Southerland, Bible Study, Old Testament, Rahab, Joshua