INTRODUCTION: The story of Rahab gives a wonderful type and illustration of salvation. Not only is she a Gentile and a woman, but she is also a despised harlot (prostitute). The token of her deliverance is a scarlet thread; a beautiful picture of the blood of Jesus Christ. She is taken from these depths and raised to the greatest of heights by being included in the line of Christ and recorded in the chapter of faith (Hebrews 11). If God could save Rahab, He can certainly save you and those you know.

1. RAHAB PROTECTS THE SPIES (Joshua 2:1-7 [1] And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. [2] And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. [3] And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. [4] And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: [5] And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. [6] But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. [7] And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
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1. Joshua Sends the Spies to Jericho (Joshua 2:1And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
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1. Their mission
1. Sent out of Shittim
2. Sent to spy secretly
3. Sent to spy the land of Jericho
4. Note: The land was also supposed to be the focus of the search under the authority of Moses (Numbers 13:18-20 [18] And see the land, what it is, and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; [19] And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; [20] And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.
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2. Their refuge – found in the house of an harlot
2. The King of Jericho Seeks the Spies (Joshua 2:2-3 [2] And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. [3] And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
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1. The king hears news of the arrival of spies (Joshua 2:2And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.
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2. The king sends word unto Rahab to turn the spies over to him (Joshua 2:3And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
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3. Rahab Hides the Spies on Her Roof (Joshua 2:4-6 [4] And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: [5] And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. [6] But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
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1. Rahab gives a false report concerning the spies (Joshua 2:4-5 [4] And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: [5] And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
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1. Men came unto her, but she did not know where they were (Joshua 2:4And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:
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2. The men went out at dark, and if they pursued the men quickly, they could overtake them (Joshua 2:5And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
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2. Rahab hid the spies on the roof of her house (Joshua 2:6But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
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1. She hid them with the stalks of flax which she had laid in order upon the roof.
2. Some have suggested the stalks of flax on the roof of her house indicate that she had changed her life and was no longer an harlot (Proverbs 31:13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
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3. Even though there was an obvious heart toward the spies, this is probably not true, because she is still called an harlot in the passage (Joshua 2:1And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
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4. The Men of Jericho Pursue the Spies (Joshua 2:7And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
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1. The men pursued them toward the direction of the Jordan.
2. As soon as the pursuers were out of the city, the gate was closed.
2. RAHAB BARTERS FOR HER LIFE (Joshua 2:8-14 [8] And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; [9] And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. [10] For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. [11] And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. [12] Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: [13] And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. [14] And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
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1. She Tells the Spies of Terror in the Land (Joshua 2:8-11 [8] And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; [9] And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. [10] For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. [11] And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
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1. Rahab returns to the spies (Joshua 2:8And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
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2. Rahab informs the spies of her knowledge concerning the downfall of Jericho (Joshua 2:9And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
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3. Rahab tells the spies of her knowledge of their great victories (Joshua 2:10For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
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1. The drying of the Red sea
2. The victory over Sihon and Og
4. Rahab tells the spies of the condition of the people of Canaan (Joshua 2:11And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
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1. Their hearts melted at the news.
2. They lost all courage.
3. They fear the God of Israel.
1. He is God in heaven above.
2. He is God in the earth beneath.
4. Note: Notice how this is completely opposite of what the children of Israel thought of the enemy when they spied the land before (Numbers 13: 26-33).
2. She Seeks of the Spies a Token of Deliverance (Joshua 2:12-13 [12] Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: [13] And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
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1. Rahab seeks mercy (Joshua 2:12Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:
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2. Rahab seeks the life of her family (Joshua 2:13And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
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1. Her father
2. Her mother
3. Her brothers and their family
4. Her sisters and their family
3. The Spies Agree To Spare Her and Her Family (Joshua 2:14And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
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1. The offer of the spies – Their life for hers
2. The condition of the offer – If she utters not their business
3. RAHAB SENDS THE SPIES ON THEIR WAY (Joshua 2:15-21 [15] Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. [16] And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way. [17] And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. [18] Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. [19] And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. [20] And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. [21] And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
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1. She Helps the Spies Escape (Joshua 2:15-16 [15] Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. [16] And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
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1. The escape of the spies (Joshua 2:15Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
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1. They escape through a window.
2. She lets them down by a cord.
2. The location of Rahab’s house (Joshua 2:15Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
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1. Her house was upon the town wall.
2. This seems to be a common location for the home of a harlot (Proverbs 9:13-18 [13] A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. [14] For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, [15] To call passengers who go right on their ways: [16] Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, [17] Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. [18] But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
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3. The instructions for escape (Joshua 2:16And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
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1. Flee to the mountain.
2. Hide for three days.
3. Afterward they could go their way.
2. She is Given the Token of the Scarlet Thread (Joshua 2:17-18 [17] And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. [18] Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.
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1. The men stress their innocence if their instructions are not followed (Joshua 2:17And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
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2. The men give Rahab a scarlet thread to identify her home (Joshua 2:18Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.
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3. The Spies Give the Condition of the Oath (Joshua 2:19-21 [19] And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. [20] And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. [21] And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
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1. Whosoever goes out of the doors of the house does so at his own risk (Joshua 2:19And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
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2. Whosoever remains in the house is safe from the wrath (Joshua 2:19And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
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3. If Rahab tells of the conquest, then the spies will be free of any responsibility (Joshua 2:20And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
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4. Rahab acts quickly to obey the spies (Joshua 2:21And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
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4. THE SPIES RETURN TO JOSHUA (Joshua 2:22-24 [22] And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. [23] So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them: [24] And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
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1. They Escape from Their Pursuers (Joshua 2:22And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not.
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1. The spies followed the instructions of Rahab.
2. The spies escape in safety.
2. They Bring Their Report to Joshua (Joshua 2:23-24 [23] So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them: [24] And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
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1. The spies return (Joshua 2:23So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:
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2. Their report is that of victory (Joshua 2:24And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
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3. Notice the contrast between the report of the first spies and the report of these spies (Numbers 13:26-33 [26] And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. [27] And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. [28] Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. [29] The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. [30] And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. [31] But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. [32] And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. [33] And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
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CONCLUSION: Have you received God’s deliverance from destruction? In other words, are you saved? If you are saved, are you daily thankful for what God has done for you? What a wondrous salvation God hath wrought!