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Rahab Hid the Spies by Faith

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(Joshua 2:11-12)

When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign

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After the death of Moses, Joshua needed to lead the Israelites into Canaan.

The first city they encountered was a very big walled city called Jericho.

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In a place called Shittim, Joshua sent two people to spy out the land.

They followed the order of Joshua and went to city of Jericho without knowing anything.

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In the city, they eagerly looked around the land.

And to hide themselves, they decided to stay at the house of the prostitute named Rahab. They were going to sleep in that place.

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But some people saw the two people secretly looking around the city.

They knew that those two people were Israelites. They found that those two people went to the house of the prostitute named Rahab. Then, they went to the king of Jericho.

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The king responded, "Why do you look for me?"

"Some Israelites came and have spied out our land. They went to a house of the prostitute named Rahab."

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The king of Jericho sent some soldiers to the house of Rahab.

The soldiers knocked on the door of Rahab's house.

"Open the door. We already know that some Israelites are hiding in your house. Send out the hidden men."

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Rahab opened the door and told them.

"It is true that they came here. But I did not know where they came from. And at dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them."

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After hearing Rahab's saying, the soldiers ran out quickly. They searched high and low to find the spies of Israel but they were not able to find them.

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Actually, Rahab already had hid the spies on her rooftop before the soldiers had come. Rahab knew that they were spies from Israel but instead of bringing them out to the soldiers, Rahab hid them under the stalks of flax.

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When it was time to sleep, Rahab went up to the rooftop.
And she said to the spies,

"I know very well that the LORD has given this city of Jericho to Israel."

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Rahab lived in Jericho but she believed God. She confessed to them.

"I have heard how powerful the Israelites are for God is with them. I am so afraid. I believe that the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."

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Then Rahab asked them a favor.

"Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have saved your lives. Give me a sure promise that you will save the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters and all who belong to them when this city will be destroyed."

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The spies were very thankful to Rahab so they promised.

"Our lives for your lives. I promise that your family's lives will be saved. Tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down. When there is war, your family should be gathered inside your house. If you keep this, then all of your family will be saved."

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Later this promise was kept. When the Israelites destroyed Jericho, they passed the place where the scarlet cord was tied in the window so everyone in Rahab's house was saved. Rahab got this blessing because she acted bravely by having the right kind of faith about God.

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God saw the faith of Rahab so God even allowed her to be included in the family tree of Jesus. Like this, if you do the right thing by faith, God will protect you until the end and God will lift you up.

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Dear faithful friends, if you will do things that can make God happy, God will also protect you and lift you up like how God did to Rahab. I hope you can become faithful people who act bravely by having the right kind of faith like Rahab.