"Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a sure sign . . .

"Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's household." (Joshua 2:12 and 18, ESV)

After years of wandering, the time had come for the children of Israel to move into the land God had promised. Joshua, their leader since the death of Moses, told them to prepare themselves and be ready to move out. But first, he sent two men toward Jericho to spy out the land.

hiding in jericho

When the men entered Jericho, they needed a place to lodge for the night where they might not be noticed. The men entered the house of Rahab, a prostitute. It was also a place where travelers could lodge, so the spies' comings and goings would be less obvious. Her house was built into the city wall. Rahab recognized that the men were Israelites and probably guessed their purpose for being there.

The men's arrival and lodging place was somehow discovered, and king sent men to seize them. Rahab could have turned the spies over to the king's men, but she courageously chose to hide them and help them escape out the window and over the wall.

Rahab had heard enough stories of God's deliverance of His people to understand that Jehovah was the true God.

"And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath." (Joshua 2:11, ESV)

rahab's faith

Rahab's bold decision to protect the Israelite spies changed the direction of her life forever. Yes, part of her decision was for self-preservation, but she willingly put herself at risk to aid God's people. She bargained with the men to spare her life and the lives of her family when the Israelites took their city.

But it wasn't just self-preservation that motivated Rahab. She also recognized the power of the One True God they served. She chose to place her faith in the true God over the false gods of her homeland.

"But Rahab the prostitute and her father's household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho." (Joshua 6:25, ESV)

The Book of Joshua isn't the last time we hear of this boldly courageous woman. Rahab married an Israelite and had children. Matthew lists her in the genealogy of Jesus. She is also found in the rollcall of faith in Hebrews 11.

From Rahab we learn that it's not about where we began in life. God will take our broken past, redeem it, take away our shame, and give us a new purpose and direction. Have you allowed God to redeem and reshape your life? If not, why not?

Devotion by Mary Loudermilk