Rahab of Jericho - From: Hans (Jan) Collaert (Antwerp, 1566-1628), Rahab (Hol. 13-32). Engraving after Marten de Vos, c. 1581. Plate 8 from a set of Celebrated Women of the Old Testament consisting of twenty engravings (plus frontispiece) by Hans or Adrien Collaert and Carel van Mallery published in Antwerp by Phillip Galle (1537-1612)

How great it was for such an unlikely character as was Rahab who illustrated God’s sovereign grace. Even in a corrupt city as Jericho, doomed to destruction, that a wicked person such as Rahab could experience grace by turning to God in faith. Such grace glorifies God and gives unnecessary attempts of several expositors to explain Rahab as a hostess or innkeeper to remove the stigma of that name from an ancestress of the Savior.

Rahab’s justifying faith is found in Joshua 2:8-14. This harlot is a fitting example of the power of the gospel of grace to save a sinner by faith and faith alone. “By faith the harlot, Rahab, perished not with them that believed not” (Heb. 11:31). Rahab was justified before God totally by faith (Joshua 2:9-14). She declared her saving faith, which was justified before men by works. First, “when she had received the spies with peace” (Heb. 11:31), “when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way” (James 2:25). Secondly, when Rahab said, “I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us” (v. 9).

Then thirdly, when Rahab talked about the divine redemptive power at the Red Sea and the miracles that happened at Sihon and Og, the Amorite kings (v. 10). Fourth, when Rahab confessed to the sole deity of Israel’s God both “in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (v. 11). Lastly, when she became a soul-winner and had concern for the salvation and safety for her family (Joshua 2:12-13). She continued in faith until full assurance of salvation became hers (v. 14).

This is such a remarkable event that occurred in the Bible. Rahab sent the messengers of the king in another direction, and let the spies down the outside wall by a cord or a rope from the window of her home (Joshua 2:15). When the Israelites conquered Jericho, they spared Rahab’s house that had a scarlet cord in the window, which was a sign that a friend of God’s people lived inside. So, Rahab including her father, her mother, her brothers, and her father’s household, was spared destruction. Apparently Rahab and her family were later on brought into Israel.

The Bible does not tell us how Rahab, who came from a culture where harlotry and idolatry were common, believed on the Lord as the one true God. But her insights that are written in Joshua 2:9-11 leave no doubt that she did so. Rahab’s declaration of faith led the writer of Hebrews to include Rahab as one of the heroes of faith (Heb. 11:31).

Furthermore, when the Israelites came near the city of Jericho, everyone in the city was afraid of what they had heard about the power of the God of Israel. But Rahab was the only one who made a decision to give herself to the Lord. This brave woman in this wicked city called Jericho, helped and became involved in espionage against her own country, and made a deal with these two Israelite spies before the presence of Almighty God, that I will help you to not be harmed in return for the safety for myself and my family.

So, here is the big question. Was her deception to her countrymen eclipsed by her faith in God? I tend to believe it was Rahab’s faith in God that motivated her to choose to act against her fellow countrymen. I believe she loved her country, but the Lord had done a work in her heart, that she loved the God of Israel more. Of course the other motivation on Rahab’s part, was she wanted her family to be spared from the destruction that she knew was up ahead. And she knew the only hope her family had, was by her having faith in God Almighty!

In conclusion, Rahab is one of many great woman who are mentioned in the Bible who exhibited great faith in the power of God!