Joshua 6:22-23
But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.” So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. And they brought all her relatives and put them outside the camp of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easily missed is that Joshua doesn't just allow Rahab's family to live; he actively ensures her oath is kept by commanding the very spies who made the promise to personally escort them out. This highlights Joshua's integrity and the seriousness with which he viewed the divine command to preserve those who showed faith.
Right after the incredible fall of Jericho's walls, the divine command for utter destruction of the city goes into effect, but Joshua makes sure to honor the oath made to Rahab and her family. He instructs the same spies who Rahab hid to go into her house, which miraculously remained standing, and bring her and everyone with her to safety outside the Israelite camp. This act ensures that the promise made to her is kept, even amidst the total devastation of the city.
When a whole city is devoted to destruction, how can a promise of safety be kept? Joshua's actions reveal a deep commitment to God's Word.
Joshua 6:22 shows Joshua directing the spies to rescue Rahab and her household. This wasn't just a personal kindness; it was the fulfillment of a sacred oath.
The Weight of an Oath
The two spies, acting on behalf of Joshua and Israel, had sworn to Rahab that her life and family would be spared in exchange for her help hiding them. Joshua, as the leader, felt bound by this oath, even when it meant making an exception to a general command of destruction.
Faithfulness Above All
This demonstrates a crucial principle: God's people are called to be people of integrity. When promises are made, especially under oath, they are to be honored. Joshua's adherence to the oath underscores that faithfulness to God includes faithfulness to the commitments made in His name.
Jericho was to be utterly destroyed, yet Rahab and her family were saved. How does this fit with God's judgment?
The command to utterly destroy Jericho applied to the city and its inhabitants who persisted in their sin. However, Rahab and her household were an exception, saved by their faith and her courageous act.
Faith as the Deciding Factor
Rahab's faith wasn't perfect, but it was genuine and demonstrated through action. She believed God was with Israel and that He would give them the land. This faith, coupled with her vital assistance to the spies, set her apart from the rest of Jericho's doomed population.
God's Grace Extended
This act of mercy shows that God's judgment, while severe, is not without His grace. He makes provision for those who turn to Him, even in the midst of judgment. Rahab's house, standing miraculously on the wall, became a symbol of this grace – a place of refuge amidst devastation.
Understand the original words
zonah · Hebrew Noun
A woman who engages in sexual activity for payment. In the biblical context, Rahab is noted not only for her past life but for her faith and inclusion into the genealogy of the Messiah.
shaba' · Hebrew Verb
A solemn promise or declaration, often made in the presence of God, to perform a specific action. Breaking such an oath is considered a grave offense, as it invokes the name of the Lord.
This passage highlights God's faithfulness to His promises, even extending grace to a foreigner through Rahab's courageous act of faith and the spies' oath. It shows that God's plan can incorporate individuals who demonstrate genuine trust in Him, even amidst complete destruction.
c. 1440 BC
Israelites Cross the Jordan River
After wandering for 40 years, the Israelites, led by Joshua, finally enter the Promised Land, crossing the Jordan River into Canaan.
c. 1440 BC
Israelites Spy Out Jericho
Joshua sends two spies to scout the heavily fortified city of Jericho. They lodge in the house of Rahab, a prostitute, who hides them from the city authorities.
c. 1440 BC
Rahab and Spies Make a Pact
Rahab helps the spies escape and makes them swear an oath to spare her and her household when Jericho is conquered, in exchange for her help.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
The Fall of Jericho
Following God's specific instructions, the Israelites march around Jericho for seven days. On the seventh day, they shout, and the city walls miraculously collapse.
This passage explicitly names Rahab and highlights her faith, noting that she perished not because of her former occupation but because she welcomed the spies, directly connecting her actions in Jericho to her salvation by faith.
James 2:25This verse echoes the narrative of Joshua 6, emphasizing that Rahab was justified by her actions of hiding the spies and sending them out by another way, solidifying the theme of faith demonstrated through deeds.
1 Samuel 15:3This passage describes a command from God to 'utterly destroy' the Amalekites, mirroring the total destruction commanded for Jericho, thus highlighting the severe nature of God's judgment against those who defy Him, with Rahab being a notable exception due to her obedience and faith.
Ruth 2:12Here, Boaz prays for Ruth that she may receive a 'full reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge,' which parallels Rahab's act of seeking refuge under the 'wings' of Israel's God by hiding His messengers.
cambridgeJoshua 6:22: "But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her."
22–25. The Rescue of Rahab 22 . Go into the harlot’s house ] We are told that Rahab’s house was upon the town wall , and that she dwelt upon the wall . But though the walls of Jericho fell down flat, her house was preserved. They fell by faith , and she was saved by faith ( Hebrews 11:30-31 ). as ye sware unt…
gillJoshua 6:22: "But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her."
But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country,.... Whom he had sent on that errand, Joshua 2:1 ; and what follows he had said unto them before the people entered into the city, and perhaps before the walls of it fell; and indeed from Joshua 6:16 , it appears to have been said at the time…
What's easily missed is that Joshua doesn't just allow Rahab's family to live; he actively ensures her oath is kept by commanding the very spies who made the promise to personally escort them out. This highlights Joshua's integrity and the seriousness with which he viewed the divine command to preserve those who showed faith.
Right after the incredible fall of Jericho's walls, the divine command for utter destruction of the city goes into effect, but Joshua makes sure to honor the oath made to Rahab and her family. He instructs the same spies who Rahab hid to go into her house, which miraculously remained standing, and bring her and everyone with her to safety outside the Israelite camp. This act ensures that the promise made to her is kept, even amidst the total devastation of the city.
Right after the incredible fall of Jericho's walls, the divine command for utter destruction of the city goes into effect, but Joshua makes sure to honor the oath made to Rahab and her family. He instructs the same spies who Rahab hid to go into her house, which miraculously remained standing, and bring her and everyone with her to safety outside the Israelite camp. This act ensures that the promise made to her is kept, even amidst the total devastation of the city.
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c. 1440 BC
Rahab's Household is Rescued
Joshua sends the two spies back to fulfill their oath, rescuing Rahab and her entire family from the destruction of Jericho.
c. 1440 BC
Jericho is Destroyed and Cursed
The city of Jericho and everything in it are utterly destroyed by fire, according to God's command, with a curse placed on anyone who would rebuild it.
"But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.” So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rah…" — What's easily missed is that Joshua doesn't just allow Rahab's family to live; he actively ensures her oath is kept by commanding the very spies who made the promise to personally escort them out…
