Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

The contract between Rahab and the spies was agreed upon as follows (continues): [2] The twofold pledge of spies: Our life for yours, if you do not reveal our business (Jos. 2:14). When God has given us the land, we will deal kindly and truly with you. [3] Carrying out the contract by Rahab: She let them down by a cord through a window to the ground (Jos. 2:15). She instructed them to escape pursuers by hiding in the mountain for three days, allowing men to return before going on the way (Jos. 2:16). [4] The fourfold pledge of the spies: We will be blameless of the oath if you do not have the scarlet cord in the window by which you let us down (Jos. 2:17-18). Be sure your father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all their households are in your house when we overthrow the city (Jos. 2:18). If one goes out of the house and is killed, we shall not be responsible, but if one who stays in is killed we shall be responsible (Jos. 2:19). If you reveal our business, then we are free from our oath to you (Jos. 2:20). [5] Rahab’s acceptance of the contract: As you have said, so be it (Jos. 2:21). She sent them away to make good their escape (Jos. 2:21-24). She bound the scarlet cord in the window (Jos. 2:21). [6] Carrying out the contract by Israel: Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s house, and all that she had (Jos. 6:25). She dwelled in Israel to that day, because she hid the spies (Jos. 6:25; Heb. 11:31; Jas. 2:25).  

Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 

‘Harlot’ [Greek: porne] Translated as “harlot” (11:31; Matt. 21:31-32; Luke 15:30; 1Cor. 6:15-16; Jas. 2:25; Rev, 17:5) and “whore” (Rev, 17:1, 15-16; 19:2).

‘Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.’ Rahab – faith’s deliverance (Jos. 2:1, 9, 11; 6:23; Matt. 1:5; Jas. 2:25). This was the Rahab in Christ’s genealogy (spelt “Rachab” in Matt. 1:5; cp. Heb. 11:31; Jas. 2:25). Rahab may have been an innkeeper. She brought the spies to the roof of her house, hiding them among the stalks of flax. She told the king that they had already fled the city, so he sent men to overtake them before they could cross Jordan, which at this time was overflowing its banks (Jos. 2:4-7; 3:15).

The contract between Rahab and the spies was agreed upon as follows: [1] The eightfold plea of Rahab: I know the Lord has given you the land (Jos. 2:9). Your terror has fallen upon us. All Canaanites faint because of fear of you. They have heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea for you when you left Egypt (Jos. 2:10; Exo. 14-15). They have heard what you did to the kings of the Amorites, Sihon and Og (Jos. 2:10; Num. 21:21-35). As soon as we heard those things, our hearts melted and there was no more courage in any man (Jos. 2:11). We recognized that the Lord your ’Elohiym is ’Elohiym in heaven above and in earth beneath. Swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you will show kindness to my father’s house and will protect my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all that they have, and deliver us from death (Jos. 2:12-13).

To be continued…