Rahab and the Spies Bible story for kids

There was a red cord hanging from a window. High up on the city wall, fluttering in the warm wind. If you walked past Jericho and looked up... you might have seen it. Just a piece of scarlet rope.

But oh, little one — that cord saved a whole family. Let me tell you how it got there.

A woman named Rahab lived in that house on the wall. Her home was tucked right into the great stone wall itself — one window looked into the city, and the other looked out over the world beyond.

Everyone in Jericho had heard stories about God's people — how God had dried up the Red Sea, how he walked with them through the desert. Everyone was frightened.

But Rahab wasn't just frightened. Rahab believed.

She believed that the God of Israel was the true God — the God of the heavens above and the earth below.

One evening, two strangers came to Rahab's door.

They were spies — sent by Joshua to look over the city before the Israelites came. And Rahab let them in.

It was a dangerous thing to do. Because word got to the king fast. Soldiers came pounding on Rahab's door.

"Open up! We know there are strangers here. The king says to hand them over!"

Rahab's heart was pounding. But she kept her voice steady. "They were here," she said, "but they already left. If you hurry, you might catch them."

The soldiers ran off into the dark. And the two spies? They were right there the whole time — hidden under bundles of flax on Rahab's rooftop, quiet as mice.

When the coast was clear, Rahab climbed up to the roof. The stars were out. And she told the spies something they never forgot.

"I know that the Lord has given you this land. We have heard what your God has done. Your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below."

Then she asked them something brave. "Please... when your people come, be kind to my family. As I have been kind to you."

And the spies made a promise.

"Tie this scarlet cord in your window," they said. "Gather your family into this house. Everyone under this roof will be safe."

Rahab helped them down from the window, down the outside of the wall, into the night.

And then Rahab did one more thing. She took that same scarlet rope — the very one she had lowered the spies down with — and tied it to her window, and left it there fluttering in the wind for anyone to see.

And when the walls of Jericho came tumbling down — and they did — Rahab and her whole family were brought out safely. Every single one. Because of a red cord. Because of a promise.

Rahab came to live among God's people. And her name was remembered so well that it appears in the very family line of Jesus. Kindness to strangers wove her into the biggest story ever told.

And God was with him. God was with her. God is with you, too.

Rest easy, little one. May the same God who kept Rahab and her family safe watch over you, wherever you are.