Matthew Henry Commentary Joshua 2:1-7

"And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men as spies secretly, saying, Go, view the land, and Jericho. And they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lay there. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to-night of the children of Israel to search out the land. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, that are entered into thy house; for they are come to search out all the land. And the woman took the two men, and hid them; and she said, Yea, the men came unto me, but I knew not whence they were: and it came to pass about the time of the shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out; whither the men went I know not: pursue after them quickly; for ye will overtake them. But she had brought them up to the roof, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. And the men pursued after them the way to the Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they that pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate." — Joshua 2:1-7 (ASV)

Faith in God's promises should not eliminate, but rather encourage our diligence in using appropriate means. The providence of God directed the spies to Rahab's house. God knew where there was one who would be true to them, though they themselves did not. Rahab appears to have been an innkeeper; and if she had formerly lived an immoral life, which is uncertain, she had abandoned her sinful ways.

What seems to us most accidental is often overruled by Divine providence to serve great ends. It was by faith that Rahab received those with peace against whom her king and country were at war. We are sure this was a good work; it is so described by the apostle in James 2:25; and she did it by faith, a faith that set her above the fear of man. Only those are true believers who find it in their hearts to venture for God; they take His people for their people and cast their lot with them.

The spies were led by the special providence of God, and Rahab hosted them out of regard for Israel and Israel's God, and not for financial gain or any evil purpose. Though excuses may be offered for the guilt of Rahab's falsehood, it seems best to admit nothing that tends to explain it away. Her understanding of the Divine law must have been very limited; a falsehood like this, told by those who possess the light of revelation, whatever the motive, would deserve severe condemnation.