Joshua 6:22–27
22 And Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, just as you have sworn to her.”
23 So the young men who were spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and all she had; they also brought out all her relatives, and placed them outside the camp of Israel.
24 Then they burned the city with fire, and all that was in it. Only the silver and gold, and the articles of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord.
25 However, Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all she had, Joshua spared; and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
26 Then Joshua made them take an oath at that time, saying, “Cursed before the Lord is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he will lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he will set up its gates.”
27 So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land.
Salvation of Rahab and Her Household
Fulfillment of promise
The time had come for the Israelites to fulfill the promise made to Rahab. The walls of Jericho had collapsed, but it is thought that the part where Rahab’s house was located remained. Joshua said to the two spies to spare Rahab and her household. (1) She was saved from being placed under the ban (herem) for she trusted in the God of Israel. (2) She and her family were kept outside the camp of Israel. This was because they were Gentiles and had to be ceremonially cleansed before entering the camp. (3) It is said that “she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day.” As a result, her name was included in the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah (Matt. 1:5). The New Testament praises Rahab’s faith highly (ref. Heb. 11:31, Jam. 2:25). The preface of Rahab’s blessing is the Abrahamic covenant. One who blesses Israel will be blessed. She delivered from destruction for she saved Israel.
Reconstruction of Jericho
Joshua then prophesied that anyone who rises to rebuild Jericho shall be cursed. Rebuilding here refers to being reconstructed again as a walled city. “Laying the foundation” refers to the foundation of the walls, which signifies the beginning of construction. “Setting up the gates” refers to the end of construction. This prophesy came to pass during the days of King Ahab. “In his (Ahab) days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun” (1 Kings 16:34). Through and up to this point, the ritual aspect of the conquest of Canaan was completed. The ritual aspect includes the circumcision, the Passover, the trumpets, and the procession around the city. Beyond this, the Israelites would go into battles utilizing normal strategies. In this, we can see the balance between the supernatural and human works. We shall walk being mindful of keeping the balance between faith and works at all times.
Today's prayer
God of Israel, Rahab received Your blessing by blessing Israel. May I learn from Rahab's faith. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.