Text: Joshua 2:1-24 Introduction: There are things that happen in this world that are difficult for the human mind to fathom. They are unexplainable, yet they stand as unshakable truth. The journey of the Israelites to the Promised Land is one of them. For 40 years in the wilderness, they did not buy or sell, yet they ate and drank. They did not make clothes or hire tailors, yet their clothes did not wear out. “And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot”. Deuteronomy 29:5 But among all these wonders, there is one encounter that still surprises the world till today — the encounter of Joshua’s spies with Rahab the harlot. God used a prostitute to save His people. That is a rare encounter indeed. 1. THE MISSION AND THE DANGER – Joshua 2:1-3 “And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho”. Joshua 2:1 Jericho was a double-walled, heavily fortified city — the gateway to Canaan. Joshua, like Moses before him, sent spies to view the land. These two men came into the house of a harlot named Rahab, whose house was built on the city wall. But their mission was discovered. The king of Jericho was told, “There are men come hither tonight of the children of Israel to search out the country”. Joshua 2:2 He sent to Rahab saying, “Bring forth the men that are come to thee… for they be come to search out all the country”. Joshua 2:3 This was a moment of life and death. If discovered, the spies would be killed. This is often how the devil tries to abort God’s purpose — by exposing you before your time. 2. THE FAITH AND THE WISDOM OF RAHAB – Joshua 2:4-11 Instructively, Rahab hid the men on the roof under stalks of flax. She then misled the king’s messengers, saying, “There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out… pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them”. Joshua 2:4-5 The pursuers left, and the city gate was shut. Why would a harlot risk her life to save two strangers? The answer is FAITH. Rahab had heard what God did for Israel: “For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you… and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites… And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath”. Joshua 2:10-11 Faith had come by hearing! “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. Romans 10:17 Rahab believed in the God of Israel even though she lived in a pagan, sinful city. God does not look at your past; He looks at your faith. She was a harlot, but her heart was turned to God. 3. THE COVENANT OF THE SCARLET CORD – Joshua 2:12-21 Before they slept, Rahab went to the spies with a request: “Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house… and that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren…” Joshua 2:12-13 The men answered her, “Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee”. Joshua 2:14 They made a covenant with her. The sign of the covenant was the scarlet cord tied on her window — the same window through which she let them down. Joshua 2:18-21 This scarlet line is significant! It reminds us of the blood of Jesus. Just as the blood on the doorposts in Egypt saved the Israelites in Exodus 12:13, so the scarlet cord saved Rahab’s household. There is power in the blood of Jesus. “…and when I see the blood, I will pass over you…” Exodus 12:13 They instructed her to bring all her family into her house and not go out. Salvation is inside, in Christ. Outside is judgment. 4. THE REWARD OF THE ENCOUNTER* The spies hid in the mountains for three days, then returned to Joshua and said: “Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the land do faint because of us”. Joshua 2:24 Because of one woman’s faith, the whole nation of Israel was encouraged. And what became of Rahab? God did not just save her; He honoured her! Rahab later married into Israel, became the mother of Boaz, the great-grandmother of King David, and entered the lineage of our Lord Jesus Christ! Matthew 1:5 And she is listed in the hall of faith: “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace”. Hebrews 11:31 “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers…” James 2:25 From harlot to heroine. From the red-light district to the lineage of Christ. Only God can do that! Your past does not disqualify you from God’s future. CONCLUSION: The stage is set today. God is still looking for Rahabs — people whose past may be dirty, but whose heart is willing to believe and take a risk for God. Rahab’s rare encounter changed her destiny and her family’s destiny. Your own encounter with Jesus today can change yours. “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force”. Matthew 11:12 – Rahab took her salvation violently. Jesus is calling you: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28 You may be saying, “I am like Rahab, my life is messed up”. The scarlet cord — the blood of Jesus — is still available to save you. Pray this prayer now: Lord Jesus, I come to You as I am. Forgive my sins. Wash me with Your blood. I believe You died and rose for me. Come into my life today, save me and give me a new story like Rahab. Amen. If you prayed, you are now born again. Join a Bible-believing church and grow. God bless you. For Spiritual Counseling and Guidance: 08051000462.