{"id":55360,"date":"2024-10-09T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/?p=55360"},"modified":"2024-10-03T11:59:26","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T18:59:26","slug":"an-unlikely-ally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/an-unlikely-ally\/","title":{"rendered":"An Unlikely Ally"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At an incredibly risk to herself, Rahab defied the king, led him on a wild goose chase, and concealed the Israelite spies. This must have taken an extraordinary amount of courage at considerable risk to her life if she was found out. Her willingness to harbor the spies of her people\u2019s enemies was driven by a genuine fear of the Lord and a desire to save her family from Jericho\u2019s sure defeat. Let\u2019s learn more about Rahab, the unlikely ally of the Israelite spies, and worshiper of the true and living God. We took these notes from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=46567\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NKJV Study Bible Full Color<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Rahab Hides the Spies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNow Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, \u201cGo, view the land, especially Jericho.\u201d So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, \u201cBehold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.\u201d So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, \u201cBring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, \u201cYes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.\u201d (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>Joshua 2:1\u20137<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A1-7&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:1\u20137<\/a> Joshua sent out two spies to explore the land, especially Jericho. They went to a place where news would be easily available, a prostitute\u2019s house (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A1&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">v. 1<\/a>). News reached the local king, and he sent men to apprehend the spies (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A2-3&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vv. 2, 3<\/a>). Yet Rahab protected the spies by sending the king\u2019s men on a futile chase (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A4-7&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vv. 4\u20137<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A1&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:1<\/a> The Acacia Grove was the place east of the Jordan River where the Israelites had been encamped for some time (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Num+25%3A1&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Num. 25:1<\/a>). In some translations of the Bible this place is called by its transliterated Hebrew name Shittim, which means \u201cThe Acacia Trees.\u201d Acacia Grove was probably some distance from the Jordan because it took a few days to get there. Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute, and yet her story is one of the most inspiring stories in the Bible. Her actions in caring for the Israelite spies in enemy territory demonstrated a faith in Israel\u2019s God that is praised in the NT (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Heb+11%3A31&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Heb. 11:31<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Jas+2%3A25&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">James 2:25<\/a>). The term translated harlot is the word for a common prostitute, not a cultic prostitute. It is possible that Rahab had been reduced to prostitution by the death of her husband and by the needs of her impoverished family (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+6%3A23&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6:23<\/a> does not mention her husband). In any case, out of all the populace of Jericho, only she reached out to the living God, and He in turn saved her (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+6%3A25&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6:25<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A2&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:2<\/a> it was told: Despite the secrecy of the spies (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A1&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">v. 1<\/a>), news of their arrival in Jericho traveled fast. The king of Jericho ruled over a small kingdom that included his city and the territory around it. As is often the case in the ancient world, his \u201ckingdom\u201d was actually a city-state. Compare the reference to \u201cJabin king of Hazor\u201d in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+11%3A1&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">11:1<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A4-6&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:4\u20136<\/a> Rahab lied to the men searching for the Israelite spies, but this does not constitute an endorsement for lying as such. The Scriptures clearly condemn lying (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Lev+19%3A11&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lev. 19:11<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Prov+12%3A22&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prov. 12:22<\/a>). Rahab did the best she could to save the men sent by Joshua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A5&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:5<\/a> All major cities in Canaan were walled and had a large gate for protection. Excavations at Jericho have uncovered strong walls from different periods of the city\u2019s existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A6&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:6<\/a> Like most houses, Rahab\u2019s had a flat roof. She hid the men there where she had laid out stalks of flax for drying. Flax is the oldest textile fiber known. It was used to make linen fabric for clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A7&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:7<\/a> The Jordan River was nearly a hundred feet wide near Jericho, and from five to 12 feet deep. There were no bridges, and shallow fords were used for crossing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bible Times &amp; Culture Notes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Jericho<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jericho is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Situated in the wide plain of the Jordan valley at the foot of the ascent to the Judean mountains, Jericho lies about eight miles northwest of the site where the Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea, some five miles west of the Jordan. Since it is approximately 800 feet below sea level, Jericho has a tropical climate. Only a few inches of rainfall are recorded at Jericho each year, but the city is a wonderful oasis, known as \u201cthe city of palm trees\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Deut+34%3A3&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Deut. 34:3<\/a>) flourishing with date palms, banana trees, balsams, sycamores, and henna (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Song+1%3A14&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Song 1:14<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Luke+19%3A4&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Luke 19:4<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There have been three different Jerichos throughout its long history, but by far the most imposing site of the three was OT Jericho, a pear-shaped mound about 400 yards long, north to south, 200 yards wide at the north end, and some 70 yards high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/NKJV-SBFC-Blog-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-55362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/NKJV-SBFC-Blog-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/NKJV-SBFC-Blog-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/NKJV-SBFC-Blog-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/NKJV-SBFC-Blog-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Rahab\u2019s Profession of Belief<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNow before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men: \u201cI 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 for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father\u2019s house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.\u201d So the men answered her, \u201cOur lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>Joshua 2:8\u201314<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A9&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:9<\/a> Rahab\u2019s use of God\u2019s personal name Yahweh, translated here as LORD, indicates that she had come to faith in the living God (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A11&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">v. 11<\/a>). God had graciously opened the heart and mind of a foreign prostitute to accept Him as Lord. the terror of you has fallen on us: Israel\u2019s reputation went before them. God already had dramatically delivered the Israelites in many ways, and the report had been spread throughout the nations. Rahab mentioned two miraculous deliverances: the crossing of the Red Sea and the victories over two kings east of the Jordan, Sihon and Og (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A10&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">v. 10<\/a>; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Ex+14&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ex. 14<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Num+21%3A21-35&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Num. 21:21\u201335<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A11&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:11<\/a> Here Rahab made a dramatic statement of her faith in the LORD. He is God in heaven: She affirmed God\u2019s sovereignty over heaven and earth in language reminiscent of the Psalms (compare <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Ps+113%3A5-6&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ps. 113:5, 6<\/a>) and not unlike the confession of Melchizedek to Abram (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Gen+14%3A19-20&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gen. 14:19, 20<\/a>). The fact that non-Israelites came to true faith indicates that God\u2019s great mercy reached other nations. neither did there remain any more courage: The phrase suggests their breath was taken away; the people of Jericho were left breathless, and their hearts melted from fear of the Israelites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A12&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:12<\/a> Rahab asked the spies to swear to her. Even though to swear in God\u2019s name was a serious matter, the spies agreed to Rahab\u2019s request (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A14&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vv. 14<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A17&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">17<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A20&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">20<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Rahab\u2019s Act of Belief<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. 16 And she said to them, \u201cGet to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo the men said to her: \u201cWe will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father\u2019s household to your own home. So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen she said, \u201cAccording to your words, so be it.\u201d And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>Joshua 2:15\u201321<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A15&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:15<\/a> The Hebrew phrase translated her house was on the city wall suggests that Rahab\u2019s house was in the city wall rather than on top of it. The phrase might be rendered \u201cin the double walls.\u201d This refers to a kind of defensive wall found around many cities in biblical times. The walls were built double and connected by cross-walls between them. The resulting spaces could be used for storage or as living quarters. Rahab\u2019s family may have lived in one of these residences. A dwelling in the wall would be a humble dwelling, just the spot for a poor prostitute . . . and for God\u2019s grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A16&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:16<\/a> Get to the mountain: The only hills near Jericho are to the west. This is the opposite direction from the route the pursuers had taken; they had gone east, down to the Jordan (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A7&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">v. 7<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A18&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:18<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Josh+2%3A21&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">21<\/a> The spies gave Rahab a line of scarlet cord to hang out the window as a sign of the agreement they had made. This is probably not the same rope she used to let the spies down, since the words are different. The cord\u2019s color is undoubtedly significant; it represents the color of the blood of atonement (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Ex+12%3A7&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ex. 12:7<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Ex+12%3A13&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">13<\/a>). It also alludes to the story of Tamar, since a scarlet thread was tied to the wrist of her first son (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Gen+38%3A28&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gen. 38:28<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Gen+38%3A30&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">30<\/a>). Both of these women were non-Israelite ancestors of Jesus (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Matt+1%3A3&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matt. 1:3<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Matt+1%3A5&amp;version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">5<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Keep Reading the NKJV Full Color Study Bible<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"580\" src=\"http:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/NKJVStudyBibleFullColorSocial-1024x580.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/NKJVStudyBibleFullColorSocial-1024x580.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/NKJVStudyBibleFullColorSocial-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/NKJVStudyBibleFullColorSocial-768x435.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/NKJVStudyBibleFullColorSocial-1536x870.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=46567\">NKJV Study Bible Full Color<\/a> includes over 15,00 study notes along with 350 word studies on significant words in Hebrew and Greek, longer form articles, and plenty of full color maps and photos! Pick up this product today to see all that it has to offer for your studies (also available <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=42559\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">with the KJV<\/a>)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=46567\" style=\"background-color:#77aa3c\">NKJV STUDY BIBLE FULL COLOR<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At an incredibly risk to herself, Rahab defied the king, led him on a wild goose chase, and concealed the Israelite spies. This must have taken an extraordinary amount of courage at considerable risk to her life if she was found out. Her willingness to harbor the spies of her people\u2019s enemies was driven by<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":55365,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7850],"tags":[6008],"class_list":["post-55360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-study-bibles","tag-nkjv-study-bible-full-color"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>An Unlikely Ally - Olive Tree Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/an-unlikely-ally\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"An Unlikely Ally\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"At an incredibly risk to herself, Rahab defied the king, led him on a wild goose chase, and concealed the Israelite spies. 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