God uses a Harlot to explain the fear of the people had of Israel God. Many believed the reports that we hearing about Israel has they came through different territories. When there is mass travel, several things happen, people trample down the economy of an area or literally destroy it, if shop owners and business are not use to this type of traffic. It like having a stampede of thousands and not just simplely hundred people moving from one area to another. Israel was probably close to ten thousand or more by time they reach Jericho in travel. Maybe less, total is not given of how large Israel was fairly large at this time. Now if you surround a small city that has a wall and you encompass it and it only made of brick it like a herd of elephants walking around a building, soon it will fall or crumble in weak spots. The ability is not unusual, but the fact is these people contribute to the God of Israel the destruction they heard about coming their direction. Why the crossing of the Red Sea, where God had parted the river, so Israel could walk on dry land, but they also heard of the strength of Israel to killing of two Ammorite kings. Two powers recognized by Jericho's people and Rahab the Harlot. Two powers, God and man to destroy. The miracle of walking on dry land when the Red Sea was impossible to cross was act of God. Jericho destruction came with the power of God in the lead, but the destruction came with force of men that followed God's instruction of marching around Jericho(a few chapters over if your interested in pursuing the story).

The city of Jericho not fearful enough to welcome Israel in, but fearful enough to try and kill their messengers. Rahab went before the king and reported the spies, only to hide the spies. Did she not like the land she lived in? I do know she went to extreme by sending the enemy out after people hid within the wall of their land. Then she helped escape and hide until the search party was finished hunting for them. She also went about getting protection for her family. She tied the thread to her door as instructed by the israelites and waited.

People sometimes recognize the power of God and man, but not the ability to repent and seek God. That God will shelter them under his wings if they will only turn to him. Rahab was harlot but understood to fear God and the men of Israel. She knew her salvation would come from the promise of the Israelites if she obeyed them, but also knew they were strong enough to destroy all of Jericho.

When Christ died for our sins, God gave us a man, to pay a price we could not pay. He gave a man the power to over come death through resurrection. Yet this man was also God. This man was the word of God the part of God that is given to all people to believe. Rahab believed the reports the word coming forth from outside her village of what God had done for Israel and she knew to believe and to trust in this God of Israel for deliverance which he would provide with the saving of her and her family. God's word brought salvation in Old Testament and brings salvation to us through the promise of God's Son/word to all people. Not just to the Jews but Gentiles to, that whosoever believeth in Jesus might be saved. We know In John 1:1 that the word spoken that became flesh is Jesus. Our hope resting in the promise of God sending forth his word as a man, and as a promise. The spirit of prophesy. Israel was a type of Christ to Rahab the harlot, but not the Messiah. Rahab recognized both as Saviors.

When we see the salvation of man, it can be blessing to a believer, but it is not salvation for the soul unless it is Christ himself. To understand that man has a role to help and protect each other, it is also speaks of Christ deliverance for eternal life, because of the resurrection and payment for sin through the cross. Israel cross was their size and their ability to destroy at this time, but true salvation came from the Lord. Who were these men to house in a harlot house. Men that who they were, not men of clean living but living perhaps has men sometimes do.

Dear Heavenly Father, give us grace through faith in who your are as deliverer and the salvation that comes by your word and your Son. Let us not forget that anyone that bows to you will be saved, no matter who they are. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Hebrews 11:30-31 KJV
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.