Rahab Takes Her Stand

Soon, Rahab receives two unexpected visitors​—spies from the Israelite encampment. They seek a lodging place, and she admits them to her home. But word of their presence reaches the ears of the king of Jericho. He promptly dispatches his minions of law enforcement to take them into custody.​—Joshua 2:1, 2.

By the time the king’s officers arrive, Rahab has taken her stand for Jehovah God. “Bring out the men that came to you,” demand the royal emissaries. Rahab has concealed the spies among stalks of flax laid to dry on her roof. She says: “Yes, the men did come to me, and I did not know from where they were. And it came about at the closing of the [city] gate by dark that the men went out. I just do not know where the men have gone. Chase after them quickly, for you will overtake them.” (Joshua 2:3-5) That the king’s men do​—in vain.

Rahab has thrown the enemies off the trail. She immediately takes further steps that display her faith in Jehovah by works. Up to the roof she goes and tells the spies: “I do know that Jehovah will certainly give you the land.” Rahab admits that all the land’s inhabitants are fearful because they have heard that God “dried up the waters of the Red Sea” from before the Israelites 40 years earlier. The people also know that the Israelites devoted two Amorite kings to destruction. “When we got to hear it,” says Rahab, “then our hearts began to melt, and no spirit has arisen yet in anybody because of you, for Jehovah your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.”​—Joshua 2:8-11.

What about Rahab’s misleading words to pursuers of the spies? God approved of her course. (Compare Romans 14:4.) She took a risk in order to protect his servants, giving evidence of her faith. While malicious lying is wrong in Jehovah’s eyes, a person is not obligated to divulge truthful information to people who are not entitled to it. Even Jesus Christ did not give full details or direct answers when doing so could have brought unnecessary harm. (Matthew 7:6; 15:1-6; 21:23-27; John 7:3-10) Evidently, Rahab’s course of misdirecting the enemy officers must be viewed in that light.