The mission was secret: two men sent to Jericho for reconnaissance. The nation of Israel knew nothing as the they slipped from Joshua’s tent into the wilderness. 

However, the entire city of Jericho knew within hours: 

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” Joshua 2:1-2 NIV

Evidently, these two needed more training—or maybe not. The two spies encountered Rahab. While some scholars believe she may have been an innkeeper, Scripture identified her as a prostitute—a Canaanite prostitute who had faith in the God of Israel. 

In verses 8-11, Rahab gave a beautiful testimony of her faith. She offered protection to the spies in exchange for her family’s safety. The spies agreed. 

Joshua had instructions to destroy Jericho. Yet Rahab and her family were spared. 

Why? God’s grace and the faith of a prostitute.

Rahab. She’s quite an unlikely convert. Have you ever ruled someone out? Thought there was no way that person would ever come to Christ?

Have you ever felt that way about yourself? That God would never want you? That you were too whatever?

God chose Rahab. 

God chose me.

God chose you. 

He’s even chosen the people we’ve ruled out. 

How? By extending the same grace He extended to you, to me, and to Rahab.

So, what happened to Rahab?

Scripture tells us she lived with the Israelites for the rest of her life. James held her up as an example of faith in action (James 2:25-26). She made the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 (11:31). But my favorite spot comes from Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1:5-6, “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.”

Rahab was mother-in-law to Ruth and great-great-grandmother to King David. 

Not bad for a pagan Canaanite prostitute who recognized God when she saw Him and chose to embrace Him as her own.

Who is your Rahab?

Workout for the Week: An Unlikely Convert

Memory Verse: “When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Joshua 2:11 NIV

Meditation Passage: Joshua 2

Do It: Pray for someone you’ve ruled out. Better yet, take them out for coffee and share your faith.