This reference to a prostitute is an extraordinary example of how God speaks to people who are considered ungodly, giving them faith to believe what He is going to do. The narrative is quite extensive in Joshua 2:1-24 and 6:22-25. The details are so unusual and detailed, the dialogue so direct and authentic that it cannot be anything other than a true account. Rahab is also mentioned in Matthew's genealogy of the Lord Jesus along with Ruth the Moabitess (Matthew 1:5-6). Neither of them should have had a place among God's people. But the Lord gave them faith to believe in His sovereign power and love for the outsider who trusted God's Word.

When Joshua sent spies to Jericho, before the Israelites had crossed the Jordan, Rahab welcomed them and hid them away from the city police who were hunting them. She knew that their God was the only God and that His power was so great even fortified Jericho was not safe (Joshua 2:8-11). She begged them to repay her kindness in hiding them, by saving her and her family when Jericho was taken (Joshua 2:12-14). And that is what happened (6:22-25). Rahab was saved.

Her rescue was because she was obedient to the Lord. She submitted herself to His authority in contrast to the Jericho officials who wanted to hunt down and eliminate the spies. The whole city was afraid of the Lord's power, but fear alone is not faith. Rahab knew that the city would be destroyed. She did not resist the Lord but simply wanted to be protected in the judgement. She accepted God's sovereignty and knew that without His mercy she would perish. Her faith was rewarded.

Salvation comes from God but we must desire to be saved and trust that He can and will save us. Noah was saved from the flood (Hebrews 11:7); the Israelites were saved from slavery in Egypt (Hebrews 11:29) – but they had to cooperate with God. The same is true about conversion today. The Lord loves all He has made (Psalm 145:17), but He does not force salvation on all. He waits for people to want to be saved. He does not automatically save everybody who is taken through the doors of a church. He wants them to respond in repentance and faith. But first they need to understand the gospel – the good news for sinners. As a part of our lifestyle and ministry, we must learn to tell that good news. But, it is only when people understand the peril they face that they will want to receive the good news. So be honest with your friends and colleagues, and tell them how to be saved. Pray that they will want to welcome Jesus.