The ancient story of Jericho is famous for its dramatic ending. As the biblical account goes, the Israelites marched around the massive, walled city for seven days, let out a massive shout, and the walls literally collapsed, allowing them to capture the city without a fight (you can read the details in Joshua 6).
But the most impressive part of the story actually happened before the walls fell. It’s the story of a woman named Rahab, found in Joshua 2.
Rahab was a prostitute. In her culture, she lived on the margins of a society that was spiritually and morally collapsing. But what makes Rahab incredible isn’t her colorful past—it’s the choice she made. The people of Jericho had chosen to reject God, but Rahab chose differently. She decided to believe in the God of the Israelites rather than the human authorities around her.
She didn’t just think about it, either; she acted. She risked her life by hiding the Israelite spies and helping them escape safely.
Look at what she told them in her own words:
“I know that the Lord has given you this land… for 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 this, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed, because the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you.” — Joshua 2:9-12
Rahab recognized something bigger than her circumstances. She proclaimed that He is God in heaven above—that is true faith. Then she put her safety into His hands, asking for mercy. And God, in His incredible mercy, met her there through those spies.
The story gets even better. When the city fell, Rahab’s house was completely spared. Because her family believed her and gathered inside her home, they were all saved from the destruction. Afterward, they were fully accepted into the community. This is a story of total redemption.
Rahab eventually married an Israelite, had a son, and became the great-great-grandmother of the famous King David. But that is still not the end of her story. In ancient historical texts, women were rarely mentioned, yet Rahab is honored by name three distinct times in the New Testament:
Matthew 1:5–6 (The Family Line): “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.”
Hebrews 11:31 (The Hall of Faith): “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.”
James 2:25 (Faith in Action): “In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?”
What an incredible honor and what a hopeful example for us! It shows exactly what happens when we put our trust in God. He loves you, and He wants to bring that same redemption to your life, no matter your past.
This is where Rahab’s story connects beautifully to our own future. You might wonder, how does an ancient story about a falling city apply to me today?
In the book of Revelation, God gives us a picture of the end of earth’s history. He sends a final message of hope to every person on the planet:
“Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.’” — Revelation 14:6–7
Just like Rahab, we are being invited to acknowledge the God of the universe, to respect Him, and to give Him glory. A few verses later, the Bible describes the people who accept this invitation:
“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’” — Revelation 14:12–13
Friend, the invitation is the same today as it was in ancient Jericho. All we have to do is believe in Jesus Christ just like Rahab did. When we act on that belief, it builds a deep, lasting faith within us.
Just like Rahab’s family had to step inside her house to be saved, God invites us to step into a relationship with Him. You don’t have to do anything grand or perfect. You just have to open your heart to the Holy Spirit, open the Word of God, and start a relationship with Him.
Would you like to start that journey today? We have a 12-part Bible study designed to help you explore the Scriptures, ask the big questions, and discover the God who redeems our stories.