It is good military strategy to know the enemy and what to expect before going into battle. Joshua sent the spies out privately, and they reported to him privately. He didn't want to run the risk of frightening the people with an unfavorable report.
The spies went to the house of a prostitute. Two strange men could enter there without being particularly noticed. It was a good place to get information and hide. But there was a much more important reason why Rahab's house was chosen. Both Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 indicate that Rahab had put her faith in God before the spies ever came to Jericho.
Rahab hid the spies and helped them escape from the city, but she asked that she and her family be spared when the Israelites attacked Jericho. She gave words of confirmation which surely encouraged Joshua when she told the spies, "I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you," [and here is Rahab's confession of faith] "for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below." Joshua 2:9-11.
The spies promised to save Rahab and her family if she would gather her family into her house and tie a scarlet cord in the window to identify it during the invasion. Rahab met both conditions. Rahab exercised faith in God and followed up that faith with actions that showed her belief. James says true faith will be accompanied by works, by action.
The scarlet cord represents the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It reminds us of the Passover when the Jews who had believed God and marked their door frames with lamb's blood were protected from the death angel.
Rahab's family could be saved only if they met the conditions of the spies by gathering in the house and hanging the scarlet cord in the window. People can be saved spiritually only if they meet God's conditions by placing their faith in Christ and taking Him as Savior. All who come to God by faith are accepted equally. There is a saying, "The ground is level at the foot of the cross." This Canaanite prostitute appears in the genealogy of King David and of Jesus.
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