How does Rahab's action in Joshua 2:6 demonstrate faith in God's plan? Setting the Scene • Israel is camped east of the Jordan. Joshua sends two spies to scout Jericho, the first fortified city in their path (Joshua 2:1). • The spies take refuge in Rahab’s house—built into the city wall—where discovery means death for all involved. • Joshua 2:6 records her decisive move: “But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.” Rahab’s Rooftop Choice • She hides the spies under drying flax—ordinary farm produce turned into a shield for God’s servants. • By doing so she publicly abandons loyalty to Jericho, aligning herself with the God of Israel before any promise of safety is secured. • Her action is immediate and practical; faith is not a feeling but a deed. Five Ways Rahab’s Action Embodies Faith 1. Heard → Believed – Rahab had only second-hand reports of the Red Sea and victories east of the Jordan (Joshua 2:9–10). – She took those reports as certain proof of God’s sovereignty. 2. Believed → Acted – Hebrews 11:31: “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.” – Faith drove her to tangible risk, not passive agreement. 3. Risked Everything – Harboring enemy agents was high treason. – Her life, livelihood, and family stood on the line (Joshua 2:13). 4. Protected God’s People – James 2:25: “In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another route?” – Faith is verified when it serves God’s mission and His people. 5. Entered Covenant – Requesting the scarlet cord (Joshua 2:18) flowed from the same faith that hid the spies; she expected God to honor His word. Why the Flax Matters • Flax stalks weighed enough to disguise bodies—her everyday resources became tools in God’s plan. • The scene whispers Romans 8:28 in miniature: God works through ordinary means and willing hearts to advance His purposes. Confirmation from Rahab’s Own Words • Joshua 2:11: “For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” • She confesses God’s universal rule before Israel has even crossed the river. Lessons for Today • Faith starts with hearing God’s mighty acts, moves to conviction, then completes itself in courageous obedience. • God delights to weave everyday materials and imperfect people into His redemptive story. • Like Rahab, believers demonstrate genuine trust when they protect and advance God’s kingdom even at personal cost. Rahab’s rooftop decision, recorded in Joshua 2:6, is therefore a vivid portrait of faith that hears, trusts, acts, and becomes a conduit for God’s unfolding plan. |
    |