Rahab Shelters the Spies

2:1 Joshua son of Nun sent two spies out from Shittim secretly and instructed them: “Find out what you can about the land, especially Jericho.” They stopped at the house of a prostitute named Rahab and spent the night there. 2:2 The king of Jericho received this report: “Note well! Israelite men have come here tonight to spy on the land.” 2:3 So the king of Jericho sent this order to Rahab: “Turn over the men who came to you – the ones who came to your house – for they have come to spy on the whole land!” 2:4 But the woman hid the two men and replied, “Yes, these men were clients of mine, but I didn’t know where they came from. 2:5 When it was time to shut the city gate for the night, the men left. I don’t know where they were heading. Chase after them quickly, for you have time to catch them!” 2:6 (Now she had taken them up to the roof and had hidden them in the stalks of flax she had spread out on the roof.) 2:7 Meanwhile the king’s men tried to find them on the road to the Jordan River near the fords. The city gate was shut as soon as they set out in pursuit of them. 2:8 Now before the spies went to sleep, Rahab went up to the roof. 2:9 She said to the men, “I know the Lord is handing this land over to you. We are absolutely terrified of you, and all who live in the land are cringing before you. 2:10 For we heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt and how you annihilated the two Amorite kings, Sihon and Og, on the other side of the Jordan. 2:11 When we heard the news we lost our courage and no one could even breathe for fear of you. For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below! 2:12 So now, promise me this with an oath sworn in the Lord’s name. Because I have shown allegiance to you, show allegiance to my family. Give me a solemn pledge 2:13 that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and rescue us from death.” 2:14 The men said to her, “If you die, may we die too! If you do not report what we’ve been up to, then, when the Lord hands the land over to us, we will show unswerving allegiance to you.” 2:15 Then Rahab let them down by a rope through the window. (Her house was built as part of the city wall; she lived in the wall.) 2:16 She told them, “Head to the hill country, so the ones chasing you don’t find you. Hide from them there for three days, long enough for those chasing you to return. Then you can be on your way.” 2:17 The men said to her, “We are not bound by this oath you made us swear unless the following conditions are met: 2:18 When we invade the land, tie this red rope in the window through which you let us down, and gather together in your house your father, mother, brothers, and all who live in your father’s house. 2:19 Anyone who leaves your house will be responsible for his own death – we are innocent in that case! But if anyone with you in the house is harmed, we will be responsible. 2:20 If you should report what we’ve been up to, we are not bound by this oath you made us swear.” 2:21 She said, “I agree to these conditions.” She sent them on their way and then tied the red rope in the window. 2:22 They went to the hill country and stayed there for three days, long enough for those chasing them to return. Their pursuers looked all along the way but did not find them. 2:23 Then the two men returned – they came down from the hills, crossed the river, came to Joshua son of Nun, and reported to him all they had discovered. 2:24 They told Joshua, “Surely the Lord is handing over all the land to us! All who live in the land are cringing before us!”

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Joshua sends two spies to Jericho. Rahab hides them, confesses that the Lord has given the land to Israel, and asks for mercy for her household. The spies swear to spare those gathered in her house under the red cord. The chapter ends with the spies returning safely and reporting that the Lord is handing over the land.

This chapter shows that the Lord is already at work before Jericho falls. Joshua sends spies to learn about the land, and they come to Rahab’s house. The king of Jericho looks for them, but Rahab hides them and sends the king’s men away.

Rahab’s words are the center of the chapter. She says she knows the Lord is giving the land to Israel. She has heard of the Lord’s powerful acts, and she confesses that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. Her fear is not empty fear. It leads her to seek mercy and to side with the Lord’s people.

Rahab asks the spies to spare her family. They agree, but only on clear terms. Her household must stay in the house, and a red cord must be tied in the window as the agreed sign. The story presents this as an oath-bound arrangement, not as a magic act.

The chapter ends where it began: with certainty that the Lord is handing the land over to Israel. Rahab believes it, and the spies return and report it. The passage joins judgment on Jericho with mercy for the outsider who turns to the Lord.

• The Lord is handing the land over to Israel.
• Jericho is afraid because of what the Lord has already done.
• Rahab confesses that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below.
• Rahab shelters the spies and asks for mercy for her household.
• The spies swear to spare those gathered in Rahab’s house if she does not betray them.
• The red cord is a sign tied to the oath, not a magical object.
• The chapter ends with the spies reporting that the Lord is giving the land to Israel.

• Warning: Those outside Rahab’s house are not protected by the oath.
• Warning: If Rahab reports the spies, the oath will not stand.
• Promise: The spies will show allegiance to Rahab’s household if the conditions are kept.
• Command: Rahab must gather her family into the house.
• Command: Rahab must tie the red cord in the window.
• Command: Rahab must not betray the spies.

This passage stands at the doorway of the conquest. It shows the Lord fulfilling his promise to give the land to Israel. It also shows that mercy is available to an outsider who believes the Lord and identifies with his people. The main point is that the Lord conquers and the Lord saves.

Trust the Lord before you see the outcome. Fear his mighty works, and respond by turning to him in faith. Keep your vows seriously before God. And do not miss this: the Lord can show mercy to one who was once far away when that person believes him and seeks refuge with his people.

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