“And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house because she hid the messengers that we sent.”
This verse is part of the account of the fall of Jericho, one of the key events in the book of Joshua. In this passage, the Lord is giving instructions to Joshua and the Israelites regarding the conquest of Jericho.
The city shall be accursed:The Lord commands that the city of Jericho is to be devoted to destruction. This means that everything within the city, including its inhabitants and possessions, is to be dedicated to the Lord and destroyed. The reason for this complete destruction was to demonstrate the Lord’s judgment upon the wickedness of the city and to prevent Israel from being influenced by the idolatry and immorality prevalent in Jericho.
Rahab the harlot shall live:Despite the command for destruction, there is an exception made for Rahab, a Canaanite woman who had sheltered the Israelite spies that Joshua had sent to gather information about Jericho. Because Rahab had hidden the messengers and had expressed faith in the God of Israel, she and her family were spared from destruction.
This verse highlights both the judgment and mercy of God. On one hand, the wickedness of Jericho led to its destruction, a consequence of God’s righteous judgment. On the other hand, Rahab’s faith and action demonstrated God’s mercy and grace toward her and her family. It emphasizes that God does not judge individuals based solely on their background or past actions but rather looks at the heart and responds to genuine faith.
This account also foreshadows the theme of redemption and salvation that is found throughout the Bible. Rahab, a former harlot and a foreigner, is not only spared from destruction but also becomes part of the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Her story serves as a reminder that God’s grace and forgiveness extend to all who turn to Him in faith, regardless of their past or present circumstances.
Overall, Joshua 6:17 demonstrates God’s sovereignty, justice, and mercy. It teaches us about the consequences of sin and rebellion against God, but also reveals His willingness to extend salvation to those who place their trust in Him.
