Joshua 2:15
Then Rahab let them down by a rope through the window, since the house where she lived was built into the wall of the city.
Then Rahab let them down by a rope through the window,

Rahab acted decisively to protect the Israelite spies after recognizing that the Lord had given Israel the land. Lowering them from her window allowed them to leave the city unnoticed and showed her willingness to risk her life for the God of Israel and His people.

1Sa 19:12-13 So Michal lowered David from the window,…
Act 9:25 One night, however, his disciples took him…
2Co 11:33 But I was lowered in a basket through a window…

since the house where she lived was built into the wall of the city.

Her home’s position on Jericho’s wall gave direct access beyond the city defenses, making escape possible. Though she lived within a condemned city, Rahab chose to separate herself from its rebellion and cast her future with Israel.

Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had…
Heb 11:31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed…
Jas 2:25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Rahab
A Canaanite woman living in Jericho, known for her faith and actions in hiding the Israelite spies. Her house was strategically located on the city wall, allowing her to assist the spies in their escape.

2. The Spies
Two Israelite men sent by Joshua to scout the city of Jericho. They were hidden by Rahab and later escaped through her window.

3. Jericho
A fortified city in Canaan, significant for its strong walls and as the first city conquered by the Israelites in their campaign to take the Promised Land.

4. The Rope
A practical tool used by Rahab to lower the spies from her window, symbolizing her role in God's plan and her faith in action.

5. The City Wall
The physical barrier of Jericho, which also served as a means of escape for the spies, highlighting God's providence and Rahab's resourcefulness.
Teaching Points
Faith in Action
Rahab's actions demonstrate that true faith is accompanied by works. Her decision to help the spies was a tangible expression of her belief in the God of Israel.

God's Sovereignty and Providence
The location of Rahab's house and her willingness to help were not coincidences but part of God's sovereign plan. This teaches us to trust in God's providence in our own lives.

Courage and Risk for Righteousness
Rahab risked her life by defying her own people to align with God's purposes. This challenges us to consider what risks we are willing to take for our faith.

Redemption and Inclusion
Rahab, a Canaanite and a prostitute, was included in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). This illustrates God's grace and the inclusivity of His redemptive plan.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Rahab's faith challenge our understanding of who can be used by God for His purposes?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate our faith through actions in our daily lives, similar to Rahab's example?

3. How does the account of Rahab encourage us to trust in God's providence, even when circumstances seem dire?

4. What risks are we willing to take for our faith, and how can Rahab's courage inspire us in these situations?

5. How does Rahab's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5) speak to the nature of God's grace and redemption?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 11:31
This verse highlights Rahab's faith, noting that she was not destroyed with the disobedient because she welcomed the spies in peace. It connects her actions to the broader theme of faith in action.

James 2:25
James uses Rahab as an example of how faith is demonstrated through works, reinforcing the idea that her actions were a manifestation of her faith.

Exodus 1:15-21
The account of the Hebrew midwives who feared God and saved the Hebrew babies, similar to Rahab's fear of God leading her to protect the spies.
A Mixed CharacterSunday School TimesJoshua 2:1-24
A Parenthesis of GraceA. B. Mackay.Joshua 2:1-24
An Unexpected Ally of the Lord's HostG. W. Butler, M. A.Joshua 2:1-24
Beginning At the Right PointJ. Parker, D. D.Joshua 2:1-24
Gradual EnlightenmentW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 2:1-24
Our God, God Over AllJ. Irons.Joshua 2:1-24
Rahab SavedJ. B. Owen, M. A.Joshua 2:1-24
Rahab's FaithJoshua 2:1-24
Rahab's ReasoningW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 2:1-24
The Powers of Evil in TerrorJohn McNeill.Joshua 2:1-24
The Scarlet LineG. Wagner.Joshua 2:1-24
The Spies DespatchedJ. H. Snell.Joshua 2:1-24
People
Amorites, Israelites, Joshua, Nun, Og, Rahab, Sihon
Places
Egypt, Jericho, Jordan River, Red Sea, Shittim
Topics
Built, Causeth, City-wall, Cord, Dwelling, Dwelt, Rope, Town, Town-wall, Wall, Window
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 2:15

     5256   city
     5507   rope and cord
     5604   walls
     5876   helpfulness

Joshua 2:8-20

     5731   parents

Joshua 2:12-21

     5468   promises, human

Library
The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

But, as for that which is Written, that God did Good to the Hebrew...
32. But, as for that which is written, that God did good to the Hebrew midwives, and to Rahab the harlot of Jericho, [2444] this was not because they lied, but because they were merciful to God's people. That therefore which was rewarded in them was, not their deceit, but their benevolence; benignity of mind, not iniquity of lying. [2445] For, as it would not be marvellous and absurd if God on account of good works after done by them should be willing to forgive some evil works at another time before
St. Augustine—Against Lying

Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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