A Name Once Forgotten. Rahab. Joshua 2

Introduction/Scripture

Joshua 2:1–21 NIV

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. 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 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. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.” So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.” Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.” “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

Pray.

INTRODUCTION: UNLIKELY HEROES

Today we begin a brand-new series called “Unlikely Heroes”. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to dive into some of the lesser-known stories in Scripture—people who didn’t seem to have much potential by human standards. People whose résumés wouldn’t have impressed anyone. People who weren’t picked first, or even at all—but God used them anyway.

And we’re starting with one of the most unexpected heroes in all the Bible. A woman whose name probably wasn’t spoken in polite company… whose house wasn’t just on the margins of society—it was on the edge of a city wall, literally and metaphorically. Her name is Rahab.

Let’s begin in Joshua 2, and then we’ll reflect on what her story teaches us.

I. RAHAB’S PAST DID NOT DISQUALIFY HER

Have you ever felt like your past disqualifies you for what is in front of you? No doubt this had to be in the background for Rahab.

Joshua 2:1 NIV

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

The very first thing we’re told about Rahab is her occupation: a prostitute. Now pause there for a moment. If you were writing the Bible—and you wanted to impress future generations—you probably wouldn't start your story of conquest and victory with a woman like this. But God’s not writing to impress. He’s writing to transform.

Rahab had a past. She was part of a corrupt culture—Jericho was known for its idolatry and wickedness. Her job was considered dishonorable, especially in a deeply patriarchal society. And yet—God wasn’t intimidated by her past. He saw her potential.

Point: God is never limited by where you’ve been. He’s only looking for someone who will surrender where they are.

It is actually not wisdom that tells you that you can’t that is fear, insecurity, or the enemy.

II. RAHAB RESPONDED IN FAITH

You know a little bit about her background but let’s consider her confession of faith and how significant it is. Rahab was a Caananite, she believed in a lot of gods.

Joshua 2:9–11 NIV

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 the earth below.

This is stunning. Rahab has no Bible, no worship songs, no priest, no church background—but she has faith. She’s heard stories of what God has done: the Red Sea, the victory over Egypt, the wilderness journey. She doesn’t know everything about God, but she knows enough to trust Him.

In fact, in Hebrews 11, often called the “Hall of Faith,” Rahab is honored right alongside Abraham and Moses.

Hebrews 11:31 NIV

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

Point: Faith isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about trusting the One who does.

Rahab didn’t just believe in God—she acted on that belief. She risked her life to hide the spies. She made a bold request: “Spare me and my family.” And God honored it.

III. GOD REDEEMED HER STORY

God didnt just move in her life, he redeemed her story and brought life to other people through her…

Joshua 6:25 NIV

But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day.

Not only is Rahab saved—she’s brought into the family. She’s not kept at arm’s length. She becomes part of God’s people. And the story doesn’t stop there…

Matthew 1:5 NIV

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

That’s right. Rahab becomes the great-great-grandmother of King David. And from her line would eventually come Jesus Christ Himself.

Think about that: God used a woman with a scandalous past to help bring the Savior into the world.

Point: God not only forgives your past—He can redeem it for His glory.

Preach this out a little….

IV. GOD USES SURRENDERED LIVES

God moves in the life of the surrendered one. Scripture testifies to this about Rahab.

James 2:25 NIV

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 made Rahab a hero wasn’t her knowledge or her position. It was her surrender.

She gave up her safety.

She gave up her allegiance to Jericho.

She gave up her own understanding.

And she put herself in the hands of a God she was just beginning to know.

That’s what God is looking for—not the most gifted, not the most religious, not the most perfect—but the most willing.

WHAT’S YOUR WALL?

Rahab lived on the wall of Jericho—a city known for its defenses and its fear. Maybe you’ve built some walls of your own. Walls to protect yourself. Walls of shame. Walls of sin. Walls of insecurity.

But here’s the good news: Your wall can be the place where God’s grace breaks in.

God can use your story—no matter how broken. God can use your faith—no matter how small. God can use your life—if it’s surrendered to Him.

THE FIRST UNLIKELY HERO

Rahab reminds us that there’s no such thing as “too far gone” with God. She didn’t let her past define her—she let God rewrite her future. And that’s what He wants to do with you.

So let me ask you today:

What part of your story are you convinced God can’t use?

What faith step is He asking you to take—even if it feels risky?

What surrender is He waiting for?

Because in the kingdom of God, the most unlikely people become the greatest heroes. And it all starts with surrender.