One of the things I love about reading the Bible is, it doesn’t sugar-coat the stories. We see how God uses the good, the bad and the ugly, just as it happened. The title, “Rahab hides the spies” doesn’t tell us much.
But, the story gets more interesting when you consider she is a prostitute who hides the two spies Joshua sent to gather information in Canaan.
And, Rahab changes her heart.
She develops her faith in God in this Bible study lesson.
Rahab Hides the Spies in Joshua 2 – The Scarlet Cord
As a good leader, Joshua did not want to take his army into Canaan blind.
Also, he needed to know the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy before attacking.
The spies Joshua sends end up in the house of – yes, a prostitute. But, in this story of intrigue and shrewdness, we’ll discover how Rahab hides the spies; and handles her mission for God.
The Spies Get Help from Rahab – Joshua 2:1-24
Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.”
So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there.
It was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.”
And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.”
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.
It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went.
Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.”
But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof.
So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate. – Joshua 2:1-7 NASB
God’s Plan for Jericho
This was a dangerous situation for the spies to go back into Canaan. Especially after what happened the first time.
Heavily fortified, Jericho was a city to be reckoned with.
The two spies needed a refuge where they could come in unnoticed, gather information about the enemy, and then slip away silently.
But… Why Go to Rahab?
Who would have been the perfect contact? How about someone who was experienced in “keeping secrets” from wives or girlfriends? A prostitute, of course.
But, this is not the only reason Rahab was chosen.
Faith
God saw into Rahab’s heart and He knew that she had become a believer. Rahab heard about His miracles in Egypt.
And, she knew how Israel had defeated major enemies by following Him.
Rahab truly believed that God would protect her if she protected the two men sent by God to her house.
God Uses People from All Walks of Life
You see, God does not just use “church people“. He uses people from all walks of life.
In other words, He works through those willing to follow – those like you and me.
Rahab made a decision to follow God’s will in her life. He used her for His mission, knowing exactly what her past held.
Our Decision
God knows our past too! Does this affect His calling us to do things in His name?
Of course not.
We do not always have to be perfect, or make all the right decisions as long as we do our best to follow what God has planned for our lives.
Just as Rahab decided to follow the direction of God, we should see if there is something He wants us to do today.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to discover more about the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment and go to John 3:16 now.