Chapter 2:2-11
“And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither tonight of the children of Israel to search out the country.”
At once the king sends to Rahab to demand the surrender of the two spies, but she refused and hid them. It seems natural for her to lie, for she deceived the king telling him the men had gone, where she did not know. Actually she had hidden them under the flax on the roof of her house. She was really a traitor to her country and lied to the king, but it was to throw herself under the protection of the God of Israel. For what folly it was to cling to Jericho which she knew was doomed.
However, Rahab is commended for her faith in Hebrews 11:3131By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:31). “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” In James 2:2525Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? (James 2:25) she is found in company with Abraham, for her works justified her before men. “Was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?”
While the men of Jericho pursued in vain after the spies, Rahab communed with the two men on her rooftop. “I know,” she said, first, “that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.”
How lovely to see faith working in Rahab; for “I know” is the language of faith. Rahab saw in Israel a people without a country, but God was in their midst. Faith always connects God with His people, and she identifies herself with the Israel of God.
We have heard, she said, how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea, and we have heard what you did to Sihon and Og on the other side of the Jordan. And when we heard these things there was no courage in any of us, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. How beautiful to see such faith given to a poor sinner in a city doomed to destruction!
“We have heard,” says Rahab. She is a beautiful example of the word: “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:1717So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17). In the midst of the abounding wickedness and idolatry of her country, Rahab had learned that Israel’s God was the true God and that He had given them the land.
She had given proof of her faith by hiding the spies under the flax at the risk of her life. She had taken their side, she had taken God’s side; in spirit she had crossed from the world’s side to the side of God and His people. She says as it were, If God is to show grace to me, I must be with His people.
ML-03/06/1977