The Bible Says Commentary on Joshua 2

Joshua commissions two men to scout out the land of Jericho. They arrive in the city and come into the house of a prostitute named Rahab. The king of Jericho hears about their visit and sends word to Rahab, asking her to turn the spies over to him. Rahab hides the spies and urges the king’s agents to pursue them quickly on the road. Then, she acknowledges the LORD as the all-powerful God and asks the spies to show reciprocal kindness to her and her family when they destroy Jericho. After Rahab instructs the spies to escape, they agree to spare her and her household if she can tie a scarlet cord in her window, gather her family into her home, and keep the matter secret. Rahab agrees to these conditions and releases the men. They return safely to Joshua and tell him the LORD will grant them victory over their foes. The chapter’s outline is as follows:

1. Joshua sends two men to scout out Jericho. While they stay in the house of a prostitute named Rahab, the king sends word to her, asking her to deliver them into his hands. Rahab hides the men, and as soon as the king’s agents leave her house, watchmen shut the city gate for the night (vv. 1-7).
   
   
2. Rahab tells the Israelite spies that she fears the LORD their God and asks them to spare her and her family from death when they conquer the land of Jericho. The men agree to do what she says if she keeps their plans secret (vv. 8-14).
   
   
3. Rahab instructs the Israelite spies to escape the city. They vow to show kindness to her and her family when they return to destroy Jericho if she will tie a scarlet cord through her window, gather her family into her home, and keep the matter confidential. Rahab then releases the men (vv. 15-21).
   
   
4. The Israelite spies leave Rahab’s house. They remain in the hill country west of Jericho for three days until the king’s agents who had searched for them return home. Then, the spies return to Joshua and tell him the LORD will give them victory over Jericho (vv. 22-24).