Rahab

 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

  The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.”  So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”

  But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from.  At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.”  (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.)  So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

~Joshua 2:1-7

What do you think prompted Rahab to hide the Hebrew spies?  Why would the house of a prostitute be a good place for the spies to go when they entered the city?

• I would say either she knew from local politics that the king of Jericho was a pretty ruthless man, or that she got a personal message from God
• It was probably the least suspicious place for someone to be looking for spies.

Although Rahab was a prostitute, the lowest of professions for a woman, what good characteristics did she have?

• she was loyal to God's people, and even though it is not a good thing to lie, it was the right thing to do to keep the Hebrew spies alive

Why do you think God would choose to use someone like Rahab?

• Even though she chose a sinful profession, God must have seen a good heart in her

What does this say about the people God might choose to use today to further his kingdom?

• The people God chooses don't have to be rich, or poor, even perfect at everything they do.  They can have the worst job in the world, but yet the perfect person to help futher His kingdom.

 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.  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 Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.  When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

  “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”

~Joshua 2:8-13

Rephrase in your own words Rahab's eloquent plea for her life and the lives of her family.

• My people have heard the stories of your people being able to escape the wrath of the Egyptians and your destruction of the two Amorite kings.  Because of this we fear you.  I beg you that you tell the Lord to please spare both me and my family.  Promise me that you will let us live, if you are to destroy the rest of the city and its people.

“Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.”

  So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.  She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.”

  Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.

~Joshua 2:14-18

Why do you think the spies were willing to deal with Rahab, their lives in exchange for hers?

• she showed them enough mercy that they were willing to spare her and her family

Rahab's brave actions spared not only her life but also the lives of her family memebers.  What brave actions can you take to spare your loved ones from future difficulties and harm?

• by standing up for them, when they have been illtreated by another person

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

~James 2:25

James mentions Rahab in his plea for believers not to forget that works are an important outgrowth of faith.  How did Rahab's actions demonstrate this truth?

• she gave help to a people that were more or less seen as a threat to her own people

What lessons in obedience of faith can you learn from Rahab the prostitute?

• to love and take care of those who may be your enemies later