Rahab helps the Israelites

The Israelites were in the land God had promised them, but now they faced many enemies. The city of Jericho had high walls. Joshua sent two spies to the city. They had to find out if the city walls were as strong as they looked, and if the soldiers were preparing to fight against the Israelites. The men went to Jericho. They stayed in the house of a woman called Rahab. Then someone told the king about the spies in Rahab’s house. The king sent a message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who are staying in your house!” Rahab hid the two men. She took them to the roof of her house and hid them under some flax she had piled up there. Then she told the king’s men, “The men were here, but I did not know they were spies. They left the city at sunset. If you go quickly, you might still catch them!” The king’s men left to chase after the spies. They took the road that went to the Jordan River and to the camp of the Israelites. Rahab went up to the two spies. She told them, “I know that the Lord will give you this land. He is the Lord who rules in heaven and on earth. We have heard how he has helped you and we are afraid. Please promise me that you will help me as I have helped you. Please spare me and my family when the Israelites conquer Jericho.”

The two men promised that they would spare her life and also the lives of her family. Rahab’s house was part of the city wall. She let the men down by a rope through her window. She said, “Go into the hills. The men who are chasing you are on the road to the Jordan River. Hide for three days before you go back to your camp.” The men said, “Please listen carefully. When we come back for the battle, you must tie this red rope in the window. Make sure that your whole family is in the house. We promise to save all the people in the house.” Then the two men left. They hid in the hills until the king’s men had gone back to Jericho. Then they went to their camp. They told Joshua, “The Lord will give us this land. All the people are very frightened of us and of the Lord.” Joshua 2