Looming in the middle of the path of the promised land was the walled city of Jericho, the key citadel of the Jordan Valley which commanded the passes into the central highlands. But before attacking it Joshua needed complete information about this fortress—its gates, fortified towers, military force, and the morale of its people. So two secret agents were chosen and sent on a carefully concealed mission. Not even the Israelites were to know of it lest an unfavorable report dishearten them as it had their fathers at Kadesh Barnea (Num. 13:1-14:4).
Taking their lives in their hands the two spies left Shittim, seven miles east of the Jordan, and probably traveled north, swimming across the flooded river. Turning south they approached Jericho from the west side and soon were moving along its streets, mingling with the people.
How the spies chose the house of a prostitute named Rahab is not revealed. While some suggest they saw her walking the streets and followed her, it seems better to believe that in the providence of God the men were led there. God’s purpose for the visit of the spies to Jericho included more than securing military information. A sinful woman was there whom God in His grace purposed to spare from the judgment soon to fall on the city. So the Lord, moving in a mysterious way, brought together two secret agents of the army of Israel and a harlot of Canaan who would become a proselyte to the God of Israel.
The disguise of the spies was not adequate. The entire city was on alert, knowing about the camp of Israel opposite them across the Jordan. Someone detected the agents, followed them to Rahab’s house, and quickly returned to report to the king. The king, responding with alacrity, sent messengers who demanded of Rahab that the spies be surrendered. In keeping with oriental custom the privacy of even a woman such as Rahab was respected and the king’s men refrained from bursting into her house and searching it.
Hurrying down to open her front door to the king’s messengers, she freely admitted that two strangers had come to her house, but how could she know their identity and mission? “They left here at dusk, just about the time the city gate is closed,” she lied. “But if you hurry you can probably catch... them.”
The soldiers took Rahab at her word, made no search of her property, but quickly set out on a wild-goose chase due east to the fords of the Jordan, the most likely escape route.
Was Rahab wrong to lie since her falsehood protected the spies? Are there some situations in which a lie is acceptable? after all, some say, this was a cultural matter, for Rahab was born and raised among the depraved Canaanites among whom lying was universally practiced. She probably saw no evil in her act. Further, if she had told the truth the spies would have been killed by the king of Jericho.
But such arguments are not convincing. To argue that the spies would certainly have perished if Rahab had been truthful is to ignore the option that God could have protected the spies in some other way. To excuse Rahab for indulging in a common practice is to condone what God condemns.
A most remarkable conversation then took place. The king’s messengers were gone and Rahab climbed to the roof of her home where she talked with the two spies in the darkness. One is hardly prepared for her declaration of faith which follows. Rahab declared her faith in Israel’s God: For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Responding to the word she had received about the mighty working of God, Rahab believed, trusting in His power and mercy. And that faith saved her.
But how could Rahab have such a remarkable faith and still be a harlot, and so glibly tell lies? The answer would seem to be that as she responded in belief to the message she heard about God’s works, she later responded to further messages concerning God’s standards of life and obeyed. After all, spiritual maturity is gradual, not instantaneous. Even John Newton, who wrote the gospel song “Amazing Grace,” continued for some time after his conversion in the slave trade before he was convicted about this base and degrading practice and gave it up.
Rahab demonstrated her faith not only by protecting the spies but also by showing concern for her family’s safety. Admittedly she sought her family’s physical deliverance, but she must have desired also that they too become a part of God’s people, serving the one true God of Israel instead of being enslaved to the Canaanites’ vile and degrading idolatry.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
This is one of those passages that remind all of us that God can use anybody. God wants to use everybody. While some would question how God could use a prostitute to advance the work of God, I bask in the understanding and truth that the grace of God extends to everyone, not just the pious and haughty.
I see God working in and through Rahab as a testimony to His grace and mercy and understanding. Would to God that our church - all churches would be so free to extend the grace of God to all who seek Him. Would to God that we could see beyond the failures and shortfalls of others and of ourselves to see their/our potential in Christ.
Lord, break of us of pride and prejudice. Break us of our need to feel and act superior to others. Break us of our judgementalism. Lord, fill our hearts today with mercy and grace and loads of forgiveness. Fill our hearts with compassion and understanding. Fill our hearts with the belief that You Oh Lord have a plan and purpose for every single person. Fill our hearts with the belief that no heart is beyond your reach.
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