Over the last few days, I have been reflecting on the story of Rahab from Joshua 2. Joshua sends two spies on a reconnaissance mission to the city of Jericho. These spies somehow end up at the home of Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho. (There is no indication in the text that these men were sexually involved with Rahab in any way.) These two Hebrew spies are not exactly “masters of espionage,” because within a few hours of their arrival, the king of Jericho has heard all about them. Not only does the king know that these Jewish spies are in his city, he even knows that they’re staying at Rahab’s house. I’m pretty sure the first rule of being a spy is, “Don’t let anyone know that you’re a spy.” These guys aren’t the Jason Bourne / James Bond kind of spies; more like the Chevy Chase / Dan Akroyd type.

At any rate, Rahab protects the Hebrew spies, which essentially amounts to treason. Not only does she harbor these enemies of the state in her home, she also lies to the government officials who come to her home and question her.

This is amazing and unexpected. Why does Rahab do this? Why risk so much for the sake of these two Hebrew spies?

Joshua 2:8-11

Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “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, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.”

Notice everything Rahab says about the Lord when she talks to these spies:

• I know the Lord has given you this land.
• I know He brought you out of Egypt.
• I know He parted the Red Sea and I know that He has been winning victories for His people.

You would think that these Israelite spies would be the ones preaching to her about the greatness of their God, but it’s the other way around!

When she says, I know the Lord has given you this land, the Hebrew word here has the basic meaning of “I understand” but it also carries an even deeper meaning. Throughout the Scriptures, this Hebrew word also signifies a person’s relationship to God. There is a knowing that is far more than just informational. It’s going beyond knowledge about God to a faithful acknowledgement of God. This is a KNOWING at the level of deep conviction — at the level of faith.

Rahab acknowledges God in v11: the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth. Quite a confession for a Canaanite — and a prostitute at that! But this is why Rahab does what she does: because she believes in the Lord. Her loyalty and her allegiance are with the True King of heaven and earth, not the king of Jericho. In this critical moment, Rahab puts her trust in the Lord.

And the biblical word for this is faith.

Her knowledge about God — His mighty deeds, His deliverance of Israel — is the driving force behind her actions.

How does your knowledge about God prompt you to an acknowledgement of God?