Rahab
Matthew 1, Joshua 2
Joshua 2:12–21 (ESV)
12 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign 13 that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”
15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall. 16 And she said to them, “Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way.” 17 The men said to her, “We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear. 18 Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household. 19 Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head. 20 But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.” 21 And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
Interpretational Issue/Conflict
The Spies
Joshua 2:1 (ESV)
2 And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.
Why are the spies there?
1) Good place to hide. Good place to escape
2) Good place to …
“lodged” there.
“shawkab” there.
Joshua 2:8–9 (ESV)
8 Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof 9 and said to the men,…
This is a story about Rahab’s faith:
1) Rahab’s faith begins, not by loving God more, but fearing Him more.
2) Rahab’s faith is placed on the unseen and not what is seen.
3) Rahab’s faith works out the implications of the future trajectory of God.
4) Rahab’s faith is built in the trust of covenanting with God.
5) Rahab’s faith builds the faith of others.
6) Rahab’s faith points us to a trust under a Savior.
Rahab’s faith begins in appropriate fear
Sometimes the engine of faith is “who do you fear more?”
Rahab’s faith is spiritually oriented
Rahab’s faith works out the implications by working out God’s will
Joshua 2:9 (ESV)
“and said to the men, ‘I know that the LORD has given you the land’…”
Joshua 2:12 (ESV)
12 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with (saved) you, you also will deal kindly with (save) my father’s house
Rahab’s faith covenant with God
Rahab’s faith is contagious
Joshua 2:9 (ESV)
“I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.”
Joshua 2:24 (ESV)
24 And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.”
Rahab’s scarlet cord
B. GROUP DISCUSSION
1) Read Joshua 2 and ask questions about the story. Does it seem like Joshua wants them to go into the city? Why were the spies unnamed? Is Joshua afraid or being wise? How does Rahab come across in personality? Why do you think the spies were found out so quickly?
2) Talk about the points of faith between Rahab and your own. Ask questions like…do we see this in the text? How do I compare? Where am I still growing? Where am I strong?
a) Rahab’s faith begins, not by loving God more, but fearing Him more.
b) Rahab’s faith is placed on the unseen and not what is seen.
c) Rahab’s faith works out the implications of the future trajectory of God.
d) Rahab’s faith is built in the trust of covenanting with God.
e) Rahab’s faith builds the faith of others.
f) Rahab’s faith points us to a trust under a Savior.
3) Prayer and praise