Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho. So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there
Joshua sent two spies to Jericho. The Bible is silent about any specific instructions about the strategy of this spy mission. The spies would have had to decide as they went along, such as where to stay, how long to remain in Jericho, and what else to do to avoid getting caught. This was not the first instance of sending men to spy out the land. When Moses sent Joshua and Caleb with others, it must have been a general survey of sorts, but as Israel took over more territories, their strategy was specific and strategic.
The focus today is on Rahab. Why did the spies choose her place? Had they tried somewhere else? Why was she the easiest or preferred option? Had God spoken to Rahab before now about spies coming to her house? Was Rahab’s house the closest to the gate of Jericho? Had she hosted spies from other countries on a previous occasion? Why did she agree to risk her life when there were no guarantees? Why did she put her trust in these spies to protect her and her family?
As we would expect, Rahab was used to inviting ‘strangers’ and, who knows, foreign ones into her home. It takes a certain level of courage to open her home each time, and even though we don’t have all the answers to what may have happened before the spies arrived, we can see God at work orchestrating the turn of events. God can and will use anyone and anything to accomplish his plan as long as they are willing and available. And while many of us might be uncomfortable about Rahab, her place in society and the position of the house on the wall were perfect to protect the spies and their mission.
The news about Israel’s unbelievable deliverance from Egypt and how they destroyed powerful kings had reached Jericho. While everyone was afraid, God found a woman with some courage willing to take a risk for him. Fear was hovering over an entire nation, but one person refused to be overcome by it. She might have thought they were potential clients, but she prioritized her and her family’s safety upon discovering who they were. Isn’t it amazing how our goals shift almost immediately when we realise in the moment what’s more important.
The spies would have been afraid; their lives in grave danger should they have been caught. Sometimes God might lead us down a path where we have to make some tough decisions, but he promises to never leave us. He might send us to work with certain people whom we assume he can never use, or instruct us to adopt new strategies we might feel uncomfortable about. I can imagine the spies knocking on Rahab’s door and gaining her trust in seconds to be allowed into her home. What did they say? How did they convince her? Why did she allow them in?
They must have worried about what she might say when the king sent men to her house. The spies submitted to her crude plan to hide them in the roof and cover them with flax. We also don’t know how long they lay there in silence and if they had any food or water while at Rahab’s house. The ultimate mission of destroying Jericho and taking over the land was most important, and their temporary discomfort dwarfed in comparison. How often do we complain about this or that and forget that God’s mission is at stake should we give up or give in?
Rahab’s fear was revealed when she begged the spies to spare her life. She had been courageous to invite the men into her home and keep them hidden for several days but she was still afraid. Courage isn’t always the absence of fear. We could be overcome with fear but still step out in faith. Rahab had no relationship with God, but her little faith saved her and her family. Strangely, Rahab’s name is included on the same list with Abraham, Moses and Noah, among other heroes of faith. And at the time we might serve God with fear and doing what others think is strange, but we have no clue what our mustard-size faith can accomplish if placed it in God’s hand.
Rahab tells the spies,” For the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath”. This was not a general belief in Jericho, but a personal admission. Like many others, she would have heard of what God had done, but at some point, her conclusion is a personal conviction. When sharing the gospel, we should pray that God’s Spirit prepares the hearts of those reached and convicts them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. It won’t be the words we say or the theological arguments we win that will draw anyone to the Lord, but only the conviction of God’s Spirit.
Even though Rahab was a prostitute, she was afraid of death; even though she lived alone, she was concerned about the safety of her family. And we should never think that people are not thinking about what really matters, such as the brevity of life and their eternal destination, among others. They may hide behind several masks, projecting a false image that they don’t know or need God while their hearts continue to cry out in pain. Let’s ask God for a heart of compassion, willing to see people as God sees them.
Rahab is a silent reminder that no one is beyond the redemption of the cross. By human standards, if anyone would lead her family to safety, it shouldn’t be Rahab, but God’s ways are not our ways. I know not why God’s wondrous grace to me He has made known, nor why, unworthy, Christ in love redeemed me for His own. I know not how the Spirit moves, convicting men of sin, revealing Jesus through the Word, creating faith in Him (D W Whittle, 1883). Lord I’m sorry when I’ve written anyone off as a lost cause. Thank you for continuing to work behind the scenes, turning many hearts to yourself. Amen.