Rahab Hides the Spies

Rahab Hides the Spies

And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. Jos. 2:1

sent out of... Shittim this was the east campsite of Israel before entering Canaan (Jos. 3:1; Num. 25:1; cp. Joe. 2:18; Mic. 6:5).

two men to... Two Spies instead of Twelve:

Joshua himself was one of the twelve spies sent from Kadesh (Num. 13:1-33), and one of the only two men who did not rebel. Now, only two spies were sent—secretly instead of publicly. This was to prevent negative reports from spreading and causing panic, if the findings of the spies were unfavorable. Joshua, while confident in God, used all natural means to assure success. He did so by faith, or there would have been no works (Jas. 2:19-26). Like any good commander, he wanted complete intelligence on the site—approaches, weaknesses of the city, defenses and resources of the inhabitants, etc. Joshua realized later that this was unnecessary, for nothing learned was used in the fall of Jericho which was brought about by supernatural power (Jos. 6:1-27).

Jericho

The name means "the moon" or "new moon," so called because of the crescent-like plain in which it stood, formed by an amphitheater of hills surrounding it. Some think the name is derived from ruwach, meaning "smell" or "fragrance," referring to the many balsam and palm trees in the city (Deut. 34:3).

One of the oldest cities in the Holy Land, Jericho was located about 18 or 20 miles from Jerusalem and about 4 miles from Jordan. Nothing is said of the city except to mention its existence (west of Jordan) in 12 references up to this point (Num. 22:1; 26:3, 26:63; 31:12; 33:48, 33:50; 34:15; 35:1; 36:13; Deut. 32:49; 34:1-3). It is named 29 times in Joshua and only 22 other times in the rest of Scripture. Its fall and the curse upon the man who would rebuild it are recorded in Jos. 6:1-27 and Heb. 11:30. It was rebuilt by Heil (1Ki. 16:34). Elijah and Elisha both passed it when they made Jordan dry (2Ki. 2:4-18). Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, was captured there (2Ki. 25:5; Jer. 39:5; 52:8). Several interesting events took place at Jericho during the ministry of Jesus (Mat. 20:29; Mar. 10:46; Luke 10:30; 18:35; 19:1). Under the Romans it was a royal residence. Herod the Great died there. It was destroyed and rebuilt after this several times.

came into an... Harlot’s house, named Rahab, this was the Rahab in Christ’s genealogy (spelled "Rachab" in Mat. 1:5; cp. Heb. 11:31; Jas. 2:25). All that is said of her otherwise is in this chapter (Jos. 2:1-24).

And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. Jos. 2:2

Someone detected the agents, followed them to Rahab’s house, and quickly returned to report to the king.

And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. Jos. 2:3

And the king... The king and his subjects were alert to any strangers entering Jericho. The city was closed to traffic a few days later (Jos. 6:7), and a tight watch was now evidently being maintained (Jos. 2:2-3).

which are entered... Rahab may have been an innkeeper. She brought the spies to the roof of her house, hiding them among the stalks of flax. She told the king that they had already fled the city, so he sent men to overtake them before they could cross Jordan, which at this time was overflowing its banks (Jos. 2:4-7; 3:15).

And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: Jos. 2:4

but I... Wist not, An old Anglo-Saxon phrase for "knew not."

There came men... Hastening 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?

And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. Jos. 2:5

came to pass... “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.”

But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. Jos. 2:6

up to the... The flat roofs of Eastern houses were exposed to the sun and air, making them well suited for ripening fruit and drying grain. The flax stalks, piled on the roof to dry, made a good hiding place for the spies.

And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate. Jos. 2:7

And the men... The officers of the king of Jericho (Jos. 2:2-3, 2:7, 2:16, 2:22).

were gone out... The gates of walled towns were always shut at sundown, or shortly thereafter. Travelers who arrived late were forced to spend the night on the outside, exposed to storms and robbers. Some cities, however, had a small gate in the large one, called "the needle’s eye," by which latecomers could be admitted (see Mat. 19:24).

And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; Jos. 2:8

And before they... Before they went to sleep, Rahab went up to the roof and made an agreement with them.

The Contract between Rahab and the Spies

1. The eight-fold plea of Rahab:

(1) I know the Lord has given you the land (Jos. 2:9).

(2) Your terror has fallen upon us.

(3) All Canaanites faint because of fear of you.

(4) They have heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea for you when you left Egypt (Jos. 2:10; Exodus 14-15).

(5) They have heard what you did to the kings of the Amorites, Sihon and Og (Jos. 2:10; Num. 21:21-35).

(6) As soon as we heard those things, our hearts melted and there was no more courage in any man (Jos. 2:11).

(7) We recognized that Jehovah your ’Elohiym is ’Elohiym in heaven above and in earth beneath.

(8) Swear to me by Jehovah, since I have shown you kindness, that you will show kindness to my father’s house and will protect my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all that they have, and deliver us from death (Jos. 2:12-13).

2. The twofold pledge of spies:

(1) Our life for yours, if you do not reveal our business (Jos. 2:14).

(2) When God has given us the land, we will deal kindly and truly with you.

3. Carrying out the contract by Rahab:

(1) She let them down by a cord through a window to the ground (Jos. 2:15).

(2) She instructed them to escape pursuers by hiding in the mountain three days, allowing men to return before going on the way (Jos. 2:16).

4. The fourfold pledge of the spies:

(1) We will be blameless of the oath if you do not have the scarlet cord in the window by which you let us down (Jos. 2:17-18).

(2) Be sure your father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all their households are in your house when we overthrow the city (Jos. 2:18).

(3) If one goes out of the house and is killed, we shall not be responsible, but if one who stays in is killed we shall be responsible (Jos. 2:19).

(4) If you reveal our business, then we are free from our oath to you (Jos. 2:20).

5. Rahab’s acceptance of the contract:

(1) As you have said, so be it (Jos. 2:21).

(2) She sent them away to make good their escape (Jos. 2:21-24).

(3) She bound the scarlet cord in the window (Jos. 2:21).

6. Carrying out the contract by Israel:

(1) Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s house, and all that she had (Jos. 6:25).

(2) She dwelled in Israel to that day, because she hid the spies (Jos. 6:25; Heb. 11:31; Jas. 2:25).

And she said unto the men, I know 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. Jos. 2:9

I know that... Three things that Rahab knew:

1. The Lord has given you the land.

2. Your terror has fallen upon us.

3. The Canaanites faint because of you.

For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. Jos. 2:10

for we have... Two things heard about God and Israel:

1. How the Lord dried up the Red Sea for Israel.

2. What Israel did by God’s help to Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan—how they were utterly destroyed.

And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Jos. 2:11

heard these things... Two effects upon the Canaanites:

1. Our hearts did melt.

2. No courage was left in any man.

for the LORD... The Canaanites were forced to recognize that the true and living God was behind the Israelites, and that these miracles were done by His power. Sixteen times in the Pentateuch alone it is clear that the purpose of miracles was for people to know that God is the only true and living God (Exo. 6:7; 7:5, 7:17; 8:10, 8:22; 9:14, 9:29; 10:2; 11:7; 14:4, 14:18; 16:6, 16:12; 29:46; 31:13; Deut. 29:6). No less than seventy-five times in Ezekiel are such statements found as "they shall know that I am the Lord."

Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: Jos. 2:12

Now therefore... Rahab demonstrated her faith not only by protecting the spies (Heb. 11:31; Jas. 2:25) 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.

She pursued this urgent matter delicately but persistently, pressing the spies to make a pact with her because of her cooperation with them.

And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. Jos. 2:13

When Rahab asked for kindness (hesed)to be shown to her family she used a significant and meaningful word. Found about 250 times in the Old Testament,hesed, means loyal, steadfast, or faithful love based on a promise, agreement, or covenant. Sometimes the word is used of God’s covenant-love for His people and sometimes, as here, of relationships on the human level. Rahab’s request was that the spies make a hesed agreement with her and her father’s family, just as she had made a hesed agreement with them by sparing their lives.

And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. Jos. 2:14

The response of the spies was immediate and decisive. “When the Lord gives us the land, that is, Jericho, we will keep the hesed agreement. If you don’t report our mission we will protect you and your family or forfeit our own lives” (paraphrased).

Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. Jos. 2:15

she let them... Hebrew: chebel, translated "cord" (Jos. 2:15; Job 36:8; 41:1; Est. 1:6; Psm. 140:5; Pro. 5:22; Ecc. 12:6; Isa. 5:18; 33:20; Jer. 38:6-13; Eze. 27:24; Hos. 11:4); "rope" (2Sa. 17:13; 1Ki. 20:31-32); "snare" (Job 18:10); and "line" (2Sa. 8:2; Psm. 78:55; Amos 7:17).

for her house... Rahab’s house was built into the wall or higher than the wall, so that from her window she could see over the wall or through it.

And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way. Jos. 2:16

and hide yourselves... They were to travel by night and hide by day so that the pursuers could not find them (Jos. 2:22-23).

And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. Jos. 2:17

Rahab and her family were to remain in the house during the attack on Jericho. If anybody would wander out and was killed the guilt for his death would be his own, not the invaders’. Finally, the spies again emphasized that they would be free of this oath of protection if Rahab exposed their mission.

Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. Jos. 2:18

bind this line... Thread, Hebrew: chuwt, thread; a string to sew with. Her house must be marked by a scarlet cord hung from the window.

thou shalt bring... Rahab’s request was that the spies make an agreement with her and her father’s family, just as she had made an agreement with them by sparing their lives.

And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. Jos. 2:19, 2O

And it shall... If anybody would wander out and was killed the guilt for his death would be his own, not the invaders’. We will protect you and your family or forfeit our own lives”

And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window. Jos. 2:21

And she said... There was something commendable about Rahab. She was willing to give up sin and obey God to have a part with His people. She had faith in the God of Israel and recognized His mighty acts. She was truthful and intelligent, able to foresee the destruction of the Canaanites. She thus planned the welfare of her own family. Rahab kept her part of the contract to the letter and was richly rewarded. She became one of only four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Mat. 1:5).

And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. Jos. 2:22

The spies were carefully lowered by a rope through a window of Rahab’s house (Jos. 2:15). Their escape would have been more difficult, if not impossible, had it been necessary for them to go out the city gate. Scarcely a half-mile west of Jericho are limestone cliffs about 1,500 feet high, honeycombed with caves. Here the spies hid (in the hills) for three days (cf. Jos. 1:11) until the soldiers of Jericho gave up the hunt.

So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them: Jos. 2:23

Then under cover of darkness the spies swam back across the Jordan, made their way quickly to the camp at Shittim (cf. Jos. 2:1), and reported to Joshua about their strange and stirring adventure and the alarm and utter despondency of the Canaanites.

And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us. Jos. 2:24

And they said... Compare this report with that of the ten spies in Num. 13:28-33. How different from the report of the majority of the spies at Kadesh Barnea who said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are”.

Like Caleb and Joshua, these two spies gave assurance that the Lord was preparing the defeat of the Canaanites, causing fear to take hold of them (Jos. 2:22-24).