(story told in Joshua 2; 6:22-23)
Rahab lived in the city of Jericho, a strong fortress standing between Israel and the Promised Land. She was not an Israelite but a Canaanite woman known for her sinful past. When two Israelite spies entered Jericho to scout the city, they came to Rahab’s house for shelter. Knowing who they were, Rahab made a bold choice—she decided to protect them, believing that the God of Israel was the true God.
When the king of Jericho sent men to search for the spies, Rahab hid them on her roof under bundles of flax. She told the soldiers that the men had already left, sending them in the wrong direction. Afterward, she confessed to the spies that she had heard of all the mighty things God had done—how He parted the Red Sea and gave Israel victory over their enemies. Her heart was moved by faith, not fear.
Rahab asked the spies to spare her and her family when Israel came to attack. They agreed and told her to tie a scarlet cord in her window as a sign, so her household would be protected when the city fell. Rahab obeyed, and the spies escaped safely back to Joshua.
When Jericho’s walls collapsed, Rahab and her family were the only ones saved. The Israelites brought them out safely and welcomed them into their community.
Rahab’s story shows that faith can change a life completely. No matter a person’s past, God honors those who trust in Him. Rahab’s courage and belief not only saved her family but made her part of God’s larger plan—she became an ancestor of King David and, generations later, of Jesus Himself.