The Faith of Rahab

Hebrews 11:31

(Read Joshua 2:1-24; 6:24-25)

This passage teaches us the faith that secures salvation not only for oneself, but also for one’s family. 

In many ways Rahab was handicapped, but by faith she not only saved herself but the lives of those who belonged to her.

1. Skim through Joshua 2:1-24. This chapter describes the two spies' mission journey. What was the implication of their journey-report? How do you think their report impacted the Lord's army? 

** Verse 24 describes their conclusion. They brought a critical piece of intelligence information about their enemies. The implication was, "The Lord has 'surely' given the whole land into our hands". They supported this by stating that the hearts of their enemies were melting. The word "melting" suggests that it was a piece of cake to go and conquer the land. 

** Such [intelligent] information would be critical in winning the battle, for their report must have convinced the Israelites that their enemies had already lost the battle. 

 

2. Think about the way Rahab helped (or 'welcomed') the two spies. How would you rate her service for them? What did she risk to protect and serve them the way she did? 

** She did an excellent job, for she hid the spies, diverted the cops (who came to arrest them) so that they went in the wrong direction, reinforced the faith of the spies (8-11), offered the spies a good night's sleep, lowered them to escape from the city safely just like one of the scenes found in one of the “007” movies, gave them specific advice on how to effectively stay out of sight of the people searching for them, and go back safely to the Lord's camp (2:16). 

What she did for the spies came from absolute faith; in a marginalized situation she thought and acted "decisively", making no mistakes, giving only the kind of advice that she thought would work. 

** She risked her life. She could have been caught, tortured and then even executed by the King of Jericho. 

3. Read Joshua 2:8-11, and think about what she said to the spies, particularly the following expressions: (1) "I know"; (2) "We have heard"; and (3) "we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed". What did she do with what she "heard"? What didn't the rest of the people (in Jericho) do with what they heard? What made the difference in their responses? 

** She combined what she heard with "faith". Heb 4:2

Then she could think and see everything clearly and correctly. This faith drove fear out of her. She could take a stand clearly on the side of the Lord and His people. 

** They did not do their homework; they heard the same message as Rahab did, but they did not think about the importance of the news/message that was broadcast for so long. 

4. Consider the deal she struck with the spies. What do the following expressions show us about the nature of the agreement she made with the spies? (1) "Swear to me by the Lord"; (2) "Give me a sure sign"; (3) "Our lives for your lives!"; (4) "This oath you made us swear"; (5) "binding"; (6) "this scarlet cord"; and (7) "blood". 

** They entered into the agreement in the name of the Lord. Both Rahab and the spies agreed before the Lord.

The stake involved was so high (salvation of herself and her family members on the part of Rahab, and the future course of the war for the Lord’s army on the part of the spies), that despite the time constraints, they made the terms and conditions specific and yet simple enough that everyone who read that agreement would clearly understand, honor, and execute it as agreed.  

  

5. Read Joshua 6:24-25. Who were saved? How did they get saved? How else did the Lord bless Rahab? (Cf. Matthew 1:1, 5)  

** Joshua spared: 1) Rahab; 2) her family; and 3) all who belonged to her family 4) “Anyone” who was in the house with Rahab [we don't know who the “anyone” consisted of; maybe they were the ones she kind of fished into her net of protection from the impending judgment] 

** Later she married a man named Salmon. Out of this marriage came a son, Boaz, who later became the husband of Ruth. She became one of the ancestors of our Lord Jesus. 

6. Read Hebrews 11:31 and compare it with James 2:24, 25. What does James 2:24, 25 tell us about the work of faith? 

** Faith makes you righteous. Rom 1:17; 4:9; 9:30

** Real faith produces action.

The end