Full Answer
Why were the spies glad that Rahab saved their lives?
Oct 01, 2019 · Proposition 1: In Joshua 2, the focus should reflect the faith Rahab confessed, not the truth she concealed. When the gate shuts in verse 7, all eyes are turned to Rahab and the spies. The king is no longer in the picture and neither are his henchman. Instead, the rest of the chapter focuses on the words of Rahab and the spies—two of the ...
Why did Rahab lie to the king's messengers?
Nov 01, 2020 · The spies probably did not wait long before they started recruiting Rahab to their cause. At the first opportune moment when the three were alone, they revealed who they were and presented her two options, either to die in the coming debacle, or to live by helping them.
Who let the spies stay at her house?
Rahab and the spies did not know it yet but, in the future, Rahab would marry an Israelite and her descendants would follow God. In fact, hundreds of years later, one of her descendants would be Jesus. When the two spies returned to Joshua they gave their report. Joshua knew that it was now time to enter the land.
Was Rahab justified for lying?
Sep 01, 2016 · Rahab hid the spies and when she was confronted by the king’s messengers she lied. She told them that she did not know where the spies were ( Joshua 2:4-5 ). She later helped the spies escape. Her words were clearly a lie. Rehab knew where the men were hiding because she was the one who had hidden them.
Why did Rahab eager help Israel?
Aim: To show how Rahab helped Israel because she believed that Jehovah had given the land of Palestine to the Israelites.Jan 9, 2009
What happened to Rahab after Jericho?
When Rahab and her family survive the conquest of Jericho, they thereby become part of the nation Israel, a system of tribes not city states (like Jericho). Her household as the site of female authority (cf. the household of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4) is incorporated into the new sociopolitical order.Nov 15, 2017
How long did Rahab hide the spies?
three daysRahab followed their instructions to the letter, just as the spies followed Rahab's advice. After hiding for three days in the hills, the spies escaped detection and returned safely to Joshua, reporting to him what had transpired and what they had observed.
How did Rahab show faith?
The NT rightly commends Rahab for her faith, emphasizing what she did for the Israelite spies: "By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient" (Heb 11: 31), and "Was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging ...
Is Rahab the mother of Boaz?
A different spelling of the name, Rachab (as transliterated in the King James translation of the Greek Ῥαχάβ) is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew as one of the ancestors of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). She married Salmon of the Tribe of Judah and was the mother of Boaz. Most other English Bibles transcribe her name as Rahab.
Who are the descendants of Rahab?
BoazJesseObedRahab/Descendants
What did Rahab say?
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.
Who seduced Samson?
DelilahDelilah is bribed by the lords of the Philistines to discover the source of his strength. After three failed attempts at doing so, she finally goads Samson into telling her that his vigor is derived from his hair.
How old was Rahab?
The Rabbis describe how Rahab was ten years old at the time of the Exodus from Egypt. She engaged in prostitution during the forty years of the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness, until the age of fifty.
What does the name Rahab mean?
In Biblical Names the meaning of the name Rahab is: Large; extended (name of a woman).
What did Deborah do in the Bible?
In answering the call, Deborah became a singular biblical figure: a female military leader. She recruited a man, the general Barak, to stand by her side, telling him God wanted the armies of Israel to attack the Canaanites who were persecuting the highland tribes.Jan 25, 2008
What was the mission of the spies?
Before any of you hasten self-righteously to judge him, let me point out that the mission of the spies was Israel’s first act of war against Jericho, and the Old Testament clearly teaches that deception in warfare, if the war is waged by the godly against the godless, is altogether justified.
Why is Joshua 2 important?
Joshua 2 is one of the most vigorously debated chapters in the Old Testament because it raises some difficult ethical questions. 1) Why did the two spies, presumably devout worshipers of a God who hated immorality, take lodgings in the house of a harlot? 2) Having entered her house, how could they have kept themselves pure? 3) Why does Scripture say nothing in disapproval of Rahab’s use of a lie to protect the spies? Often in preaching and teaching, these questions are glossed over, but we will give them the extended and thoughtful consideration they deserve. We will take them in order.
Is lying a sin?
Lying and deception are wrong, but sometimes they are necessary to save lives. Whenever they are used for that purpose, they are still sin, but the parties God will hold responsible will not be those who protected lives, but those who brought lives into danger. Most commentators accuse Rahab of sinning.
Did the spies go into town undetected?
The spies did not enter town undetected as they hoped. But although their work was weak in strategy and execution, in the end their character made the difference, as it does with us.
Was Rahab a harlot?
Our conclusion is that Rahab was a harlot when the spies came to the city. In the previous lesson we proposed that the spies went to Rahab’s deliberately, knowing what she was, because of the strategic advantages. Her dwelling was the one they could reach most safely, and it offered a way of escape.
What did the spies tell Rahab?
As they were leaving they told her that she would only be saved in she tied a scarlet cord to her window. That way the spies would know where Rahab was when they took over the city. They also reminded her that she and her family would not be saved if she told anyone that the Israelites were about to invade Jericho.
How many spies did Joshua send?
Joshua sent two spies to scout the land. This must have been an exciting time for him. He was sending spies into a land that he, himself, had spied on forty years before. In Jericho, the spies lodged in the home of Rahab. She was a prostitute in Jericho. The historian Josephus refers to her as an innkeeper.
Why did Joshua send two spies to Jericho?
The Lord had chosen Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan. Joshua wanted to form a battle plan so he sent two spies over the Jordan River to the city of Jericho. Rahab, a woman of the city, let the spies stay at her house. When the city officials searched for them, she hid them on her rooftop under stalks of flax.
Where were the Israelites camped?
The Israelites were camped on the east side of the Jordan River across from the city of Jericho. Jericho was a fortified city well supplied by strong springs which helped to make it an oasis. It was located just five miles west of the Jordan. Joshua sent two spies to scout the land.
Who was the new leader of God's people?
The Story: Joshua was the new leader of God’s people. He knew that he must lead the Israelites into the land that God had promised them. They were tired of wandering around in the desert. They were ready to build homes and have farms. The new land was beautiful and good.
Where did the Israelites camp in the Promised Land?
The Israelites were camped on the east side of the Jordan River across from the city of Jericho. Jericho was a fortified city well supplied by strong springs which helped to make it an oasis. It was located just five miles west of the Jordan.
What did Joshua choose to do?
Joshua chose two men to go and explore the land. They were to sneak into the large city of Jericho and see how strong the enemy was. The men pretended to be ordinary travellers. Once inside Jericho they looked for a place to stay. The two spies found their way to the house of a woman named Rahab.
What is the story of rehab?
Rehab — a Picture of Faith. The story of Rahab is centered on her faith, not her sin. It is a wonderful reminder of how great the mercy and grace of God toward sinners. Rehab believed in God because she had heard of His works and she trusted that He would act in His kindness. Her knowledge of God produced belief.
Where did the story of Rahab begin?
The story of Rahab begins when Joshua sent two messengers/spies into the city of Jericho. They were sent to “view the land” prior to the nation moving forward to take the land (Joshua 2). The king of Jericho was informed of the presence of the Israelite men in the house of Rahab and he sent his men to require that she turn them over to him ( Josh 2:2-3 ).
What does the Bible say about faith?
Knowledge + Trust = Faith. The Bible commends the faith of Rahab by including her in the Hebrews 11 “Hall of Faith.”. Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. Read carefully what that verse says.
Was Rahab's lie a sin?
Some will say that Rahab’s lie was not a sin because God didn’t judge it–and in fact, He blessed her. While it is true that Rahab and her family were spared, it cannot be said that God’s blessings indicated that her lie was not sinful. God must, and does, judge all sins.
What does James 1:17 mean?
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 2. God desires to forgive and forget all sins. In the New Testament, Rahab is referred to as a harlot ( James 2:25 ), but nowhere is she called a liar.
Was Rahab a harlot?
In the New Testament, Rahab is referred to as a harlot ( James 2:25 ), but nowhere is she called a liar. Her sin of lying was not overlooked—rather, it was forgiven! It’s clear Rahab lived a sinful, pagan life in Jericho, but she had heard about God, and by faith, her life was radically changed.
What is the last will and testament of Jesus?
A Room with a View of Eternity—The Last Will & Testament of Jesus Christ Take a seat at the Master's table. Learn about the riches He gives to all who are His. This book will bless and encourage you, give you hope, and help you live in the joy of your salvation and the riches of Christ that are yours.
What does the Bible say about Rahab?
But if Rahab lied, demonstrating a lapse of faith, how can she be commended for her faith? While Rahab’s lie may have exposed a measure of unbelief in her heart, her other actions revealed the overall quality and fruit of her faith: that of welcoming the spies and making sure that they left the city safely.
What does the ninth commandment say about lying?
The ninth commandment forbids lying ( Exodus 20.16 ). These are just a few of the myriad of instances in scripture that denounce lying and falsehoods. In addition to scripture’s denunciation of lying, it should also be noted that falsehood is contrary to the nature of God, which is truth.
What does the Bible say about obeying God?
Rather, the Bible commands us to believe and obey God, and leave the outcomes up to him (see Esther 4.12-16 ). Instead, what pragmatic obedience does is leave it up to us to decide when we should obey or not obey based upon our perceptions of what might happen as a result of our obedience or disobedience.
What are the hard questions in the book of Joshua?
Joshua 2 raises another hard question from the story of Rahab and her lie to protect the spies that Joshua sent to scout out the land before the Israelites attacked Jericho. The hard question is this: did Rahab sin by lying to protect the spies? This particular question, and this particular story from Joshua, have been the subject of debate and disagreement for many years. Some believe that Rahab sinned when she lied, some believe that Rahab was justified in lying. In fact, there is disagreement on the pastoral staff regarding this question. For that reason, Pastor Levi and I will be answering this question from two different angles on our blogs. My answer to the question is below, and you can read Pastor Levi’s answer to the question of whether or not Rahab sinned when she lied, here. But above all, let the Spirit lead you through God’s word to come to your own conclusion about this text and its implications in life.
Why did Joshua send two men to spy out Jericho?
Joshua 2 reports that Joshua sent two men to spy out the city of Jericho in preparation for defeating the city. When the two men arrived in Jericho, they stayed with a woman named Rahab who protected the two men. Joshua 2:1-7 reveals that she lied in order to protect them.
Why was Rahab praised as a woman of faith?
Why was Rahab praised as a woman of faith? Because she believed that the God of the two spies was the true God and in response disobeyed the king of Jericho. Her actions proved her faith. But she was not praised for lying which was a sin. Her lie was a sin. Numbers 23:19 reminds us that God does not lie. It is important to remember that Scripture teaches that all lying and deception is a sin (Proverbs 30:8).
Who said "Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come
And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.”.
Why is Hebrews 11 called the chapter of faith?
Hebrews 11 is called the chapter of faith because many Old Testament saints are listed as stellar examples of faith. Then in Hebrews 11:31 Rahab is given as another example of faith. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. Hebrews 11:31 (NASB)
How does Rahab save the spies?
The story of how Rahab saves the spies always thrills. enduring a devastating attack on her city. because she helped God’s men and they made a promise to her. Rahab was busy. She had piles of flax on her roof, and the stalks must be tied into bunches. The street noises filled her ears as she worked.
Where did Rahab live?
Rahab lived in Jericho, a fortress city surrounded by two walls. The outer wall was about 30 feet from an inner wall. Israel’s capture of Jericho was humanly impossible (they were too few against a well-protected city), so following God’s plan for the destruction was imperative.