S8 Episode #8- Jes Teaches about Rahab
THE ONE WITH Jes + RAHAB
This week on The Collected Podcast, Jes takes us deep into the story of Rahab from Joshua 2—a woman overlooked by society but seen and used by God in powerful ways. Through rich biblical insight and personal reflection, Jes unpacks how Rahab’s courageous faith not only saved her family but wove her into the lineage of Jesus. With warmth and clarity, Jes explores themes of redemption, legacy, and the scarlet thread of grace that runs from Jericho to the cross. If you’ve ever wondered whether your past disqualifies you from purpose, this episode is a must-listen reminder that no story is too far gone for God to redeem.
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SHOW NOTES
INTRODUCTION TO Joshua CHAPTER 2
Joshua chapter 2 tells the story of how Joshua sent two spies to scout Jericho, who were hidden by the prostitute Rahab. Rahab protected the spies by lying to the king's men and hiding them on her roof, explaining that she believed the God of Israel was giving the land to the Israelites and that everyone in Jericho was terrified. In exchange for her help, Rahab made a covenant with the spies to spare her and her family when the city was conquered, and she lowered them from her house, which was built into the city wall, with a scarlet cord as a sign for her house.
BACKGROUND: A SECRET MISSION
Verse 1: “Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there for the night.”
What is happening here?
Joshua secretly sent 2 spies to Jericho
This took place in the 3 days referenced in Joshua 1:10-11, before the Israelites would cross the Jordan River
“Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, ‘Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you.’”
This spy mission stands in sharp contrast to the 1st Spy Mission from Numbers 13-14…
Joshua believed God would be faithful AND he also put in the work to be prepared.
INTRODUCING RAHAB
What do we know about her?
Prostitute
From Jericho/not Hebrew
Hid the spies
Deceived her own people to protect the spies
Believed The LORD would conquer the land
She had heard of the mighty works of The LORD and believed what she had heard– God was already working in her heart
She had courage and boldness to ask for her life to be spared– along with her family
Hebrews 11:31 – “It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”
Rahab is in the hall of faith! Her faith saved her
She practiced hospitality, even at risk to her own life
James 2:24-26 – “So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.”
Rahab’s actions showed her faith. Rahab was overlooked by society because of her background, but she was SEEN and USED by God because of her faith! Like so many others in the Bible, Rahab was “flawed but faithful”.
A PROMISE FULFILLED
Joshua 6:22-25 – "Meanwhile, Joshua said to the two spies, ‘Keep your promise. Go to the prostitute’s house and bring her out, along with her family.’ The men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, mother, brother, and all the other relatives who were with her. They moved her whole family to a safe place near the camp of Israel.
Then the Israelites burned the town and everything in it. Only the things made from silver, gold, bronze, or iron were kept for the treasury of The LORD’s house. So Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute and her relatives who were with her in the house, because she had hidden the spies Joshua sent to Jericho. And she lives among the Israelites to this day.”
This last verse makes me think of the last line in the movie Ever After: “And while Cinderella and her prince did live happily ever after, the point, gentleman, is that they lived.”
Rahab lived because God is faithful to fulfill His promises, and Rahab’s whole family lived on because of her faith!
This act of faith changed the entire trajectory of her life. She did not die in shame and anonymity as Rahab the prostitute in Jericho, instead her life continues, her story continues. She becomes a mother, raises a son, becomes influential in her community, and finds herself in the lineage of Jesus and the Hall of Faith!
A LINEAGE OF FAITH
Matthew 1:5-6, 16 – “Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David…”
And as we continue the lineage, we see it end in verse 16 – “Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.”
Rahab’s faith saved her family and she is the great-great-grandmother of King David and in the line of Jesus!
In verse 5, we learn that Rahab married a Hebrew man named Salmon. This is a powerful reminder of the complete redemption and transformation of Rahab. After being saved in the battle of Jericho, she did not return to a life of prostitution. She left her old ways and lived a life of faith. She married a Hebrew man and had a son named Boaz.
We learn in Ruth 2:1 that Boaz was a “wealthy and influential man who lived in Bethlehem.” Throughout the story of Ruth, we see Boaz protect and provide for those in his care. He is kind, generous, wise, honorable and honest. He was Ruth’s Kinsman Redeemer…
THE KINSMAN REDEEMER
In the magazine Tabletalk, Quentin B. Falkena explains, “In the book of Ruth, the obligations of a kinsman redeemer play out in a real-life scenario. Naomi’s husband and sons had died in Moab, and after many years Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem. Boaz is a near kinsman and is honored to be asked to act as the redeemer, but there is a closer relative who has the first right. When the closer kinsman declines because the cost of redemption and marrying Ruth would put his own estate at risk, Boaz, at great cost to himself, pays the price to redeem the land and takes Ruth as his wife.”
I wonder if Boaz grew up hearing his mom’s stories about God’s radical faithfulness, power, and protection. Surely Boaz’s faith was shaped by the enduring faith of his mom– Rahab, the reformed and redeemed former prostitute.
What a legacy she left! And what a powerful reminder that you are not too far gone. It doesn’t matter what life you used to lead– or may be leading right now– God can redeem your story and use every part of it for your good and His glory.
Much later in the story, Jesus becomes our kinsman redeemer. Falkena goes on to say, “Jesus’ willingness to give his life for the well-being of others and his choice to act as humanity’s redeemer restores our family line back to God, returning each of us to our true home.”
What a beautiful honor that the life and faith of Rahab’s son would be such a powerful foreshadowing of the work that Jesus would do on the cross.
THE SCARLET CORD
The crazy thing is that the kinsmen redeemer example is not the only time that Rahab’s story foreshadows the coming Messiah!
Let’s look back at Joshua 2 again… verses 17-21 say, “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.”
A scarlet cord in the window…
Exodus 12:12-14 – “On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgement over all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD! But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it in a special celebration to The LORD. This is a law for all time.”
The scarlet cord calls back to The Passover– the blood of the lamb used to save the people from death and destruction.
1 Peter 1:18-20 – “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold and silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.”
Romans 5:8-9– “But God showed his love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.”
The scarlet cord foreshadows the blood of Christ– the spotless lamb to save us from death and destruction!
I love how the first story in the book of Joshua is not of destruction, but of faith and redemption. Many battles will be fought and many lives lost in this book, but God first shows us that anyone can turn to Him and be spared!
NEXT STEPS
Here are a few action steps to help you dip deeper this week!
Journal your own “scarlet cord” moment: What act of faith or turning point in your life reminds you of Rahab’s courage and trust in God?
Write a prayer of gratitude for the ways God has redeemed parts of your story—or ask Him to begin that work.
Make a visual reminder (like a red ribbon or cord) to symbolize God’s faithfulness in your life.
Thank you, as always, for listening! Please remember that everything we do is funded by those who benefit from our ministry. Our ministry a 501(c)3, so your contribution is tax-deductible.
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The Collected Podcast is a production of Collected Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping disciples of Jesus discover and live from their true identity in Christ, recognize and walk in their divine purpose within the Kingdom of God, and experience growth in their capacity for mature, healthy relationships.
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The Collected Podcast is produced by Jes French and edited by Jacob Early. Cover art designed by Ben Biondo.