Forty years earlier Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan and only two came back with a faithful response, Joshua and Caleb. This time Joshua sent two spies into the city of Jericho to return with a report of the city before the armies of God would invade the city. These spies are protected by a prostitute named Rahab.
Only two women are mentioned in Hebrews 11, “The Hall of Faith,” Sarah, the wife of Abraham and Rahab the prostitute of Jericho. Rehab is also mentioned in the Genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:5. Rahab is known for her faith in God and the resulting actions she took to protect the spies. The most important thing about Rahab was her faith. She had heard the report about what the God of Israel was doing and choose to place her faith in Him. Rahab demonstrated her faith in God by helping the spies. James tells us that “faith without works is dead.” Rahab obedience gave evidence of a changed life marked by faith.
Rehab is concerned for her safety and the safety of her family and asks the spies to promise her protection. They grant her request. They instruct her to tie a scarlet cord in her window to indicate her location for the invading army. This is a reminder of the blood sprinkled on the door posts in Exodus 12. In Joshua 6, Rehab and her family are protected by the two spies and saved when Jericho fell.
This chapter focuses on the faith of an unlikely example. The faith of Rahab.
Clear Application for Today
- Sometimes God uses unlikely people to fulfill His purposes.
- The Promises of God extend to all who will trust Him.
- Faith requires courageous responses to the circumstances of life.
- Faith is demonstrated in actions, and those actions lead to obedience.
- As a child of God we can meet the challenges of life with strength and courage.
What circumstance are you facing that you must put your faith fully in God and work it out with acts of obedience?