Joshua Chapter 2 Bible Study: The Spies in Jericho and the Faith of Rahab

The Spies Sent to Jericho

Joshua chapter 2 opens with Joshua, now firmly in command, taking a calculated and strategic step. He sends two men secretly to spy out the land, specifically focusing on the city of Jericho. This action is a powerful demonstration of prudent leadership, blending divine command with human preparation. While God had promised to deliver the land, Joshua understood that this did not negate the need for practical intelligence gathering. The spies’ mission was to assess the city’s defenses, its layout, and the morale of its inhabitants. Their journey takes them directly to Jericho, the first major city they will face, and they find lodging in the house of a woman named Rahab. Her home, situated on the city wall, makes it an ideal place for them to stay, but it also places them in immediate danger of being discovered. This initial action sets the stage for a narrative of espionage, divine providence, and radical faith.

Rahab’s Deception and Faith

The spies’ presence in Jericho did not go unnoticed. News of their arrival quickly reached the king of Jericho, who sent men to Rahab’s house to capture them. This is the pivotal moment where Rahab’s character is revealed. Instead of betraying the spies to the king, she acts decisively to protect them. She hides them on the roof under stalks of flax, a common crop used for linen, which she had laid out to dry. When the king’s messengers arrive, Rahab lies to them, saying the men had been there but had already left, urging the messengers to pursue them quickly. Her deception, while morally complex, is presented in the narrative as an act of courageous faith. It is a choice to align herself with the God of Israel, not the king of Jericho. The New Testament writers later affirm this act as an example of genuine faith in action (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25). Rahab’s faith is not a passive belief, but an active, risky choice that demonstrates her trust in the power of the Lord.

Rahab’s Confession and Plea for Mercy

After the king’s men have left, Rahab goes up to the spies on the roof. Her words are a stunning and unexpected confession of faith. She tells them, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are faint-hearted because of you” (Joshua 2:9). Rahab’s fear is not of the Israelites, but of the Lord their God. She explains that the people of Jericho have heard of God’s mighty acts: how He dried up the waters of the Red Sea for them to cross (Exodus 14) and how they defeated the Amorite kings Sihon and Og on the other side of the Jordan (Numbers 21). Rahab’s confession proves that God’s reputation and power had already broken the spirit of the Canaanites. It was not the spies’ presence that made the people afraid, but the fame of the Lord.

Rahab’s confession leads to a desperate and profound plea. She recognizes that the God of Israel is “God in heaven above and on earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11). With this acknowledgment, she asks for mercy: “Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death” (Joshua 2:12-13). Rahab’s plea is an appeal to the spies to reciprocate the kindness she has shown, but more importantly, it is a testament to her faith in the power and mercy of the true God. Her concern is not just for herself, but for her entire family, a demonstration of both loyalty and a desire for corporate salvation.

The Oath of the Scarlet Cord

The spies respond to Rahab’s plea with an oath. They promise to deal kindly and truthfully with her, but with a specific set of conditions. Their promise is a covenant of grace and redemption. To ensure her salvation, they instruct her to perform three actions:

The Scarlet Cord: She must tie a scarlet cord in the window from which she helped them escape. This scarlet cord serves as a sign or a “token” of the covenant, marking her house for protection when the Israelites attack.
Gathering the Family: She must gather her entire family—father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all her relatives—inside her house. This is a command for corporate salvation, as anyone outside the house will perish.
Keeping the Secret: She must not reveal their business, or the oath will be void. This condition highlights the importance of her continued loyalty and commitment to their shared secret.

The scarlet cord is a powerful symbol. It is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the blood of Christ, which marks believers and provides them with redemption from judgment. Like the blood on the doorposts at the first Passover (Exodus 12), the scarlet cord is a visible sign of faith and a promise of salvation from impending destruction. It is the visible sign of the unseen covenant made between Rahab and the spies.

The Spies’ Return and Report

After giving Rahab her instructions and receiving her promise, the spies depart. They follow her advice to hide in the mountains for three days to escape the king’s pursuers. Once the coast is clear, they return to Joshua. Their report to him is filled not with tactical details or military secrets, but with a confession of God’s faithfulness. They tell Joshua everything that happened, including Rahab’s confession. The most crucial part of their report is their conclusion: “Truly the Lord has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are faint-hearted because of us” (Joshua 2:24). This final statement is a powerful confirmation of God’s promise in Joshua 1. The battle is already won in the hearts of the people before the first spear is even thrown. The spies’ report is not just intelligence; it is a spiritual victory report that strengthens Joshua’s faith and the faith of the entire nation.

Theological Themes

God’s Providence and Sovereignty: This chapter is a masterpiece of divine providence. God uses Rahab, an unlikely outsider, to protect His spies and confirm His promise. Every event, from the spies’ choice of lodging to Rahab’s act of hiding them, is part of God’s overarching plan to deliver the land to Israel.

The Faith of a Gentile: Rahab is a powerful example of faith outside of Israel. Her faith is not based on a lifetime of covenant relationship, but on the testimony of God’s mighty works that she had heard. This highlights that salvation is available to anyone who hears the truth and acts on it, regardless of their background. Rahab’s inclusion in the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5) is a beautiful demonstration of God’s redemptive grace breaking through ethnic and social boundaries.

Corporate and Individual Salvation: Rahab’s salvation is both individual and corporate. Her individual faith in God leads her to seek salvation for her entire family. The scarlet cord becomes a sign of her house’s redemption. This teaches that faith often has a ripple effect, extending to those around us.

The Scarlet Cord as a Type of Christ: The scarlet cord, a visible sign of redemption and protection from impending judgment, is a powerful type or foreshadowing of the blood of Christ. Just as the scarlet cord marked a house for salvation, the blood of Christ, applied by faith, marks believers for eternal salvation from God’s wrath.

Practical Lessons

God Uses Unexpected People: Rahab, a Gentile prostitute, is the hero of this story. She reminds us that God often works through people we least expect. We should never underestimate or judge who God might use for His purposes.
Faith Requires Action: Rahab’s faith was not passive. It was demonstrated through risky, courageous actions—hiding the spies, lying to the king’s men, and placing the scarlet cord in her window. Genuine faith always results in action.
The Power of God’s Reputation: The people of Jericho were terrified not by the Israelite army, but by the reputation of their God. This teaches us that the way we live our lives and speak of God’s power has a real impact on those around us. Our testimony of God’s faithfulness can soften the hearts of unbelievers.
The Importance of Family in Salvation: Rahab’s primary concern was for her family. This reminds us of our responsibility to share the good news of salvation with our loved ones and to actively pray and work for their redemption.
The Courage to Trust: Joshua’s decision to send the spies, and the spies’ decision to trust a Gentile woman, shows a willingness to step out in faith and trust God’s unconventional methods. Sometimes, God’s plan requires us to take risks that don’t make logical sense from a human perspective.