Joshua 2 Rahab lived "on the wall" of Jericho.  She was known to be a "harlot" but came to be known as a woman of faith. 

Hebrews 11:31 "By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she welcomed the spies in peace."  and James 2:25 "And in the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?"  

The Lord chose Rahab.. a Gentile woman.. a woman known as a harlot.. to be His.  Rahab married Salmon and became the mother of Boaz.. the grandmother of Obed.. the great grandmother of Jesse, the father of David. 

Rahab had heard about the Lord.. and she believed.  She believed that the Lord had promised the land to the Israelites.  She confessed that "the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. " She believed and staked her own life on it.  

Rahab hid the spies. She tied the scarlet cord in her window. She gathered her family into her home so that they also could be saved from the destruction to come. Rahab sent the pursuers a different way.  James tells us that these actions were the "works" that testified of her faith. 

After the overthrow of Jericho, Rahab and her family were brought out. Joshua 6:23 tells us that Rahab's mother, father, brothers, and "all her relatives" as well as all her belongings.. were rescued and taken to the  the outside of the Hebrew's camp.   But, Rahab "lived in the midst of Israel"  for the rest of her life. 

This is an incredible picture of what God does for all of us.  He calls us out of darkness into light. He doesn't hold our pasts against us.  When we believe that God Is.. . that He is good, that He forgives.. and that He can use us if we act in faith.. He will save us from destruction.. and.. praise the Lord.. He will save those that we bring with us into that faith. 

Father in heaven, thank You for this lesson.. this picture of Your great love and mercy.  May we have faith like Rahab in Who You are.. and may we act in faith in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. Help us to share the love and mercy found in Jesus Christ the Savior with our families and others so that they can also be rescued from sin and shame.  Let the Light of the Lord shine through us who believe today. Spirit of Love, flood our hearts with the Love of God towards a world that needs salvation. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.