Rahab’s recorded words and actions in Joshua 2 reveal a woman in transition—from living like a pagan harlot to embracing the One true God and His ways. Note her statements to the Israelite spies:
I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea…and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites…. And as soon as we heard these things our hearts melted…for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on Earth beneath (Joshua 2:9-11).
Rahab’s dishonesty is never condoned in Scripture. She was no more commended in the Old Testament or the New Testament for lying than she was for her harlotry. She was commended and graciously spared from the destruction of Jericho because of her
overall faith and works at the time, despite the fact that her newly found, faith (which was quickly emerging out of a heavily pagan culture) was
still a work in progress. Yes, she lied to the king’s men, but she also (1) confessed belief in God, (2) appealed to Him for help, (3) showed kindness to the Israelite spies, (4) courageously hid them and helped them escape, etc.
Jesus could have lied and worked things out to spare His own life, but He died and rose for a higher purpose. He submissively fulfilled His Father’s will. Jesus and disciples could have instructed the early church to avoid persecution and death by lying for each other or by denying their own faith in Christ, but they didn’t.
The story of Rahab should not be used as a license to lie. Instead, we should retell Rahab’s story to show the greatness of God.