Joshua had just conducted his 1
st cabinet meeting since been appointed as the successor to Moses by God and had received matching orders to move into their next level as a nation. 40 years of wilderness experience had just ended and they were about to take Canaan, the land flowing with milk and honey promised to them by God.
Joshua commissioned a 2-man secret mission to go check Jericho out. Jericho was to be their next conquest and it was a city with fortified walls, high and impenetrable. The kind that if God doesn’t help one, penetrating will be impossible.
On their arrival, the Agents went to Rahab’s house. Rahab is a prostitute. *Na wa o* isn’t that our standard response when we see/hear something that is out of the ordinary. I know what you are thinking, “wetin concern ashewo inside this matter?” but let’s think strategically for a minute.
I can bet sex was the last thing on their mind, survival and the success of their mission sounds more likely. Plus they were bound to get solid/authentic intel from her because of her clientele and the location of her house.
Rahab’s brothel/house had a good view of the City because it was strategically located on the City Wall hence it was under 24-7 surveillance. I know this because the State Secret Service in Jericho notified their king of the arrival of those spies within a short time.
Meanwhile its either the agents had levelled up with Rahab as per their mission or Rahab was so street-smart and aware that she knew that their city was next on the Isrealites’s agenda. She testified to the agents of the great miraculous works she had heard and believed that the God of Isreal did for the Isrealites, how every nation was living in fear of them because none could withstand their might and the God that was fighting for and with them, even helped them cross the notorious Red Sea. She knew it was only a matter of time before Jericho will be conquered; she quickly thought to cut a deal with the Isrealite agents, safety in exchange for her life and her families’ life. She hid them on top of her roof under some bundles of linen she laid there. The kings’ goons ransacked everywhere and didn’t see the agents.
King’s men: “Rahab, where are the expatriates that came to patronise you few hours ago?”
Rahab: “Your Majesty, the men came for quickies and were gone in no time, I think they are from Egypt, I’m not sure though. I tried to flirt with them to make them stay longer but they left saying they were trying to beat the rush-hour traffic that happens when the City gate is locked. Your Majesty, if your men move fast, they’ll catch up with them”.
Ah! They fell for it. They sent men in pursuit and soon after the City Gate was locked for the day.
So the deal was that for her kindness to the Isrealite agents, her house will be spared when they invade Jericho, they had diplomatic immunity. Then she stealthily lowered them out through a window with a red rope. Told them to go to the mountains and hide for 3 days before heading back to their base and reporting everything that happened to Joshua.
Later on when Joshua led his people back to destroy Jericho, only Rahab and her family were spared because that red rope became the symbol to identify her house with. I wonder how Rahab was able to convince her family to stay with her in her house. Some may have mocked her. The red rope was all she had as evidence. Naturally, having nowhere else to go, Rahab joined the Isrealites, and later on married Salmon and gave birth to Boaz. Boaz married Ruth and gave birth to Obed. Obed gave birth to Jesse and Jesse is the father of David. Jesus is of the lineage of David.
What is more beautiful is that Rahab (Boaz’s mum) is one of the 5 women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary) specially mentioned that were in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Who would have thought?
“By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”
“And in the same way was Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way.”
So one right decision can erase a life time of wrong living. Therefore take a bold step of accepting Christ into your life today because He is the only one who can bring out the best in you.
Lessons learnt:
1. Even though she lived an ungodly life, her act of kindness was so strategic that it helped the Isrealites to enter the Promised Land.
2. In the best way she knew how to, she saved the lives of those spies.
3. She was not selfish. She somehow got her family to believe her and by so doing saved their lives.
4. She later changed her life and embraced God and his word so much that she was able to marry a prominent Isrealite.
5. Don’t write anyone off. God never writes anyone off. God hates our sin but loves the sinner and wants us to come to Him in repentance and change our ways.
* Reference: The Bible. The Book of Joshua Chapters 1 – 2 & 6; Hebrews 11:31; Matthew 1:1 – 16; James 2:25
*“wetin concern ashewo inside this matter?” - of what concern is the matter to a prostitute?
