Rahab Hides the Spies

THESE men are in trouble. They must get away, or they will be killed. They are Israelite spies, and he woman helping them is Ra'hab.  Ra'hab lives here in a house on the wall of the city of Jer'i-cho.  Let's find out why these men are in trouble.

The Israelites are ready to cross the Jordan River into the land of Ca'naan. But before they do, Joshua sends out the two spies.  He tells them:  'Go take a look at the land and the city of Jericho.

When the spies come to Jer'i-cho, the go to the house of Ra'hab. But somebody tells the king of Jer'i-cho:  'Two Israelites came in here tonight to spy out the land.'  When he hears this, the kind sends men  to Ra'hab, and they command here: 'The men  that you have in your house, bring them out!  But Ra'hab has hidden the spies on her roof. So she says: 'Some men did come to my house, but I don't know where they were from. They just left as it was getting dark, before the city gate was closed. If you hurry, you can catch them!  And the men go chasing after them.

After they leave, Ra'hab hurries up to the roof.  'I know that Jehovah will give you this land,' she tells the spies.  'We heard how he died up the Red Sea when you were leaving Egypt, and how you killed the kings Si'hon and Og. I have been kind to you, so promise me, please, that you will be kind to me. Save my father and mother. and my brothers and sisters.'

The spies promise that they will, but Ra'hab must do something.'  Take this red cord and tie it in your window,' The spies say, 'and gather all your relatives into your house with you. And when we all return to  take Jer'i-cho, we will see this cord in your window and will not kill anyone in your house.'When the spies go back to Joshua, they tell him everything that happened. 

Joshua 2:1-24; Hebrews 11:31.

Next time:Crossing the Jordan River

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