Joshua 2:1-13
Two daunting obstacles block the people’s way into Canaan. The first of these is the Jordan which forms the border of the land. Then on the far bank is the forbidding fortress of Jericho. Joshua sends his two spies there. It would seem that their mission is limited for this visit to Rahab’s house where they assess, not the enemy’s power, but God’s at work in this woman’s heart. Rahab has heard what God did for His people. She has trusted in Him. Finally she acts, because "faith without works is dead" and James uses her, this poor Canaanite woman along with Abraham himself, as examples of this teaching (James 2:25). In the world’s eyes, this woman’s action which amounted to betrayal is absolutely deplorable. But her action clearly emphasizes the distinction between an act of faith which pleases God and a "good work" which men praise. It would be far from the truth to think that believers’ actions are always understood and appreciated by the world.
Rahab’s faith earned her a place of honour in two distinguished lists in the New Testament: the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1) and the list of faithful witnesses in Hebrews 11, in which she is the only woman named with Sara.