Joshua 2:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They forgot the Sovereign and dismissed the Benefactor, asking Aaron to ‘make us gods’ (Ex. 32:1). If they sought ‘gods,’ what need was there to ‘make’ them? Can they be gods if they can be fashioned? Thus, blind desire conflicts with itself and leads to its own destruction. One poured out a golden calf, and ungrateful Israel exclaimed: ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt’ (Ex. 32:4). They only saw the calf, a mere idol; why refer to them as “gods”? In doing so, the people indicated that they worshipped not only that which was visible but also imagined a pantheon, articulating their belief rather than simply reasoning based on sight alone.

Returning to our main point, what Israel, supported by various miracles and guided by the law's teachings, heard, Raab, who lived in her place of dishonor, glorified instead. She proclaimed to the onlookers, We have heard of what your God did to the Egyptians. While the Jew asserts, ‘These are your gods who led you out of Egypt,’ the harlot credits salvation not to these idols, but to God: we have heard, she says, of what your God accomplished against the Egyptians in the wilderness; our hearts melted, and we felt no strength remaining. We have learned of your God's deeds. Notice how she embraces the words of the Lawgiver through faith? She acknowledges, ‘I know that ... your God ... is in heaven above and on earth below,’ and besides Him, there is no other. Raab became a model for the Church, once marred by unholy desires, now receiving the faithful witnesses of Christ—the apostles, not commissioned by Joshua, but by Jesus, the true Redeemer. ‘Behold,’ he declares, ‘your God ... is in heaven and on earth,’ and there is no other God beside Him. This truth was presented to the Jews, yet they did not uphold it; the Church heard it and preserved it faithfully. Therefore, Raab, who shaped the Church, is deserving of all honor.

In recognition of the significance of her faith, the courageous Paul viewed her not as unworthy due to her past, but as accepted by God through her sincere repentance. He included her among the saints, stating: ‘by faith Abel offered ... a sacrifice’ (Hebrews 11:4), and by faith, Abraham accomplished various deeds, ‘by faith ... Noah ... constructed an ark’ (Hebrews 11:7), by faith, Moses performed many acts; and after naming several saints in sequence, he finally noted: “By faith Raab the harlot did not perish with those who disobeyed, having received the spies ... and helped them escape by another route” (Hebrews 11:31).

The miracles performed for them instilled fear across the entire land, as the harlot of Jericho remarked during that time: ‘You have brought dread upon us, and all the inhabitants of this land are fearful because of you.’ Thus, one understanding of God comes from His creation, while a clearer understanding arises from His servants. This is the teaching that God has sown throughout all generations from the very beginning.

If you seek scriptural evidence of her salvation, look to the Psalms: I will remember Rahab, and Babylon leading me (Psalms 86:4). How marvelous is God's grace! He even recalls the lives of harlots in Scripture! Moreover, He doesn’t just say, I will remember Rahab and Babylon, but adds, ‘To them that lead me.’ Hence, salvation through repentance is available to both men and women alike.