Joshua 2 tells the story of Rahab and the Israelite spies. Joshua secretly sends two men from Shittim to scout out Jericho. They enter the house of Rahab, a prostitute, who hides them from the king’s men. When soldiers come searching, she misleads them, sending them on a false trail. Rahab tells the spies she knows the Lord has given Israel the land because the people of Jericho are terrified after hearing of God’s mighty deeds in Egypt and beyond. She asks them to spare her and her family when Israel attacks. The spies agree, instructing her to tie a scarlet cord in her window as a sign of protection. They escape, return to Joshua, and report that God has delivered the land into their hands.
1. Rahab Hides the Spies (Joshua 2:1–7)
“Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, ‘Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.’
So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night.
But someone told the king of Jericho, ‘Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.’
So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: ‘Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.’
Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, ‘Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from.
They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.’
(Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.)
So the king’s men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow crossings of the Jordan River.
And as soon as the king’s men had left, the gate of Jericho was shut.” (Joshua 2:1–7, NLT)
Commentary:
- Joshua sends two spies to gather information about Jericho—an act of careful leadership and faith in God’s promise.
- They lodge at Rahab’s house, likely a public inn, where strangers could stay without much notice.
- Rahab, a prostitute, becomes an unlikely instrument of God’s plan—showing that His grace reaches the most unexpected people.
- Her quick thinking and courage save the spies from capture.
- By hiding them under the flax, Rahab risks her life out of belief in Israel’s God.
- Jericho’s gates are shut—symbolizing human defense against divine destiny.
Insight:
God often uses the least likely individuals to advance His purposes. Faith is seen not in status but in courageous action.
2. Rahab’s Declaration of Faith (Joshua 2:8–14)
“Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them.
‘I know the Lord has given you this land,’ she told them. ‘We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror.
For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt.
And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed.
No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things.
For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.
Now swear to me by the Lord that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you.
Give me some guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families.’
‘We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety,’ the men agreed. ‘If you don’t betray us, we will keep our promise and be kind to you when the Lord gives us the land.’” (Joshua 2:8–14, NLT)
Commentary:
- Rahab’s words reveal deep faith—she believes in God’s promise even before seeing it fulfilled.
- Her faith is based on hearing what God has done, not on personal experience—faith comes by hearing.
- The Canaanites’ fear fulfills God’s promise that terror would fall on Israel’s enemies (Deut. 2:25).
- Rahab’s confession—“the Lord your God is the supreme God of heaven and earth”—is one of the strongest statements of faith in the Old Testament.
- Her request for protection shows both wisdom and faith in God’s mercy.
- The spies agree, sealing a covenant of life with her.
Insight:
True faith recognizes who God is and acts upon that belief. Rahab’s confession turns fear into faith and danger into deliverance.
3. The Scarlet Cord (Joshua 2:15–21)
“Then, since Rahab’s house was built into the town wall, she let them down by a rope through the window.
‘Escape to the hill country,’ she told them. ‘Hide there for three days from the men searching for you. Then, when they have returned, you can go on your way.’
Before they left, the men told her, ‘We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions.
When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down.
And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house.
If they go out into the street and are killed, it will not be our fault.
But if anyone lays a hand on people inside this house, we will accept the responsibility for their death.
If you betray us, however, we are not bound by this oath in any way.’
‘I accept your terms,’ she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window.” (Joshua 2:15–21, NLT)
Commentary:
- Rahab’s house, built into the wall, provides a strategic escape route for the spies.
- The spies instruct Rahab to display a scarlet cord—a visible sign of the covenant of protection.
- The color scarlet recalls the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:7), symbolizing salvation through faith.
- Rahab must gather her family into her house, representing faith expressed through obedience.
- The conditions of the agreement highlight personal responsibility and communal protection under God’s promise.
- The scarlet cord becomes a symbol of redemption and faith—later echoed in Christ’s saving blood.
Insight:
Faith is not silent; it acts in obedience. The scarlet cord stands as a symbol of redemption—visible faith in the promise of salvation.
4. The Spies Return to Joshua (Joshua 2:22–24)
“The spies went up into the hill country and stayed there three days. The men who were chasing them searched everywhere along the road, but they finally returned without success.
Then the two spies came down from the hill country, crossed the Jordan River, and reported to Joshua all that had happened to them.
‘The Lord has given us the whole land,’ they said, ‘for all the people in the land are terrified of us.’” (Joshua 2:22–24, NLT)
Commentary:
- The spies follow Rahab’s instructions and escape safely—her wisdom and faith prove trustworthy.
- Their report to Joshua confirms God’s promise: the land is ready for conquest, and fear has gripped its inhabitants.
- Unlike the earlier spies in Numbers 13, these men bring back a message of faith and victory.
- Their words, “The Lord has given us the whole land,” echo Joshua’s trust in God’s faithfulness.
Insight:
Faith transforms perspective. Where unbelief sees giants, faith sees God’s promise fulfilled.
Theological Significance of Joshua 2
- Demonstrates that God’s mercy extends beyond Israel to Gentiles who believe (Rahab was a Canaanite).
- Reveals that faith is not limited by background or past sin—Rahab the prostitute becomes part of the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:5).
- The scarlet cord foreshadows salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ.
- Shows that God’s sovereignty prepares hearts even before His people act.
- Contrasts human fear with divine faith—Canaan trembles, Rahab believes.
Practical Applications
- Faith in Action: Rahab’s story teaches that genuine faith acts courageously, even under risk.
- God’s Grace: No one is beyond redemption—God’s grace reaches the broken and transforms them.
- Covenant Protection: Like the scarlet cord, faith in Christ marks believers for deliverance from judgment.
- Obedience: God’s promises are realized through faithful obedience to His instructions.
- Courage: God prepares the way ahead of His people; we move forward in confidence, not fear.
Final Insight:
Joshua 2 reveals that God’s victory begins not with battle but with faith. Through Rahab’s courageous belief, a city destined for destruction becomes the stage for redemption. Her scarlet cord points to the greater salvation that comes through Christ—the ultimate deliverer who rescues all who trust in Him.
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