December 3, 2023

      BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN: THE FAITH OF RAHAB

December 03, 2023

Scott Bullman

 

There are some people in the Bible who steal our hearts as we read their story. The young David (“What have I done now?!”) asking what is asked  by children every day; Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, who wanted to “put her away privately” because he loved her so much; Peter, whose foot was in his mouth often, reminding some of us of ourselves. Rahab may fit in this group, as she—though freed from her sin and shame  by salvation—was referred to as “the harlot” for the rest of time. While it may seem unfair, the reason could be that God is reminding every one of us that our backgrounds—who we were before salvation—no longer define who we are now that we have Christ, and give Him the glory for a new life. We are a new creation, with a purpose that means we can be used by the Son of God.

Focal Passage: Joshua 2-6.

Rahab’s Status:

  • Will someone please paraphrase the story of the Israeli army as they got ready to attack Jericho? What do we know about Jericho? How did the people live? Why did people live on the wall? About how many acres was the city built on?
  • Who was Rahab? Why would it be possible/probable that she ran an inn, catering to travelers, keeping up with the times? What was her “side” business? Why is it that prostitution seems to have been a common part of the history of civilization? In today’s world, what are two major reasons why women are involved in prostitution?
  • When the Jericho king learned of the two Israeli spies who had come to Rahab, what did he do? Was Rahab’s lie acceptable? Read Ex. 1:17-19. What made the lie these women told acceptable? Where had Rahab hidden the spies? What happened next?

Rahab’s Salvation:

  • When did Rahab declare her faith? Had she made a pact with the spies before she had believed in Israel’s God? How did that differ from Gideon when the pre-incarnate Jesus told him to go do a job for Him (Judg. 6)? When Rahab states the people of Jericho were terrified of Israel, how does that contradict the spies who had gone in to spy out the land 40 years prior, coming back with a verdict that Israel could not conquer them?
  • In verse 12a, is there a particular word that stands out to you? She came from brutal, murderous, child-killing Canaanites, yet she uses the word “kindly”; had she possibly already been made a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17)? What did she think of God (vs 11b)?
  • In verses 13-14, Rahab and the spies complete their pact. What was her part in the agreement? Do you think anyone would notice a red cord hanging from the window of a house on the wall? How would you explain it? Would you have had the courage to have done what she did?

 

  • Read James 2:25-26. Why did James mention the faith of Rahab? In this passage, can “fruit” be a synonym for works? We know we are saved by grace alone; where does fruit come into it? Read Jas. 2:14-17. If we know a brother or sister is in need and we have the means to meet their need, why is it sin if we just say “Have a nice day!” and leave? Is that what James is saying? Read Col. 2:6. If we are rooted in Christ, will we have fruit?

Rahab’s Significance:

  • Read Hebrews 11:31. How did Rahab show her faith? Do you think she had some fears? What might they have been?
  • God had a reason to bring Israel into the Promised Land, giving it to them for the rest of time. Why would He choose a prostitute for the lineage to Christ? What was her relationship to David? How does this encourage you?

 

Close:

As was stated in the opening, the narrative of Rahab in the Scriptures is a story that has enormous implications for most of us! People who feel their lives have been lived so wickedly (in God’s sight) that they can never be used can find wondrous freedom from realizing He does not hold our past against us. Still, sometimes it is those sins that have been made after salvation that can eat us up. But God provides encouragement even in those situations, assuring us in Col. 2:13-15 that all of our sins were nailed to the Cross of Jesus.

Does that give us liberty to sin after salvation? Not at all. We all “fall” into sin on occasion, but Proverbs assures us the righteous fall but get up again. When God speaks of not sinning again, He means you do not live a lifestyle of sin: girls, you do not live with a boyfriend and vice versa. Wait until marriage. Are you waiting? Husbands, live with you wife with the same love Christ has for you with your sins and irritations. Are you often short tempered? Stop it! Commit any unclean thought immediately to Christ, taking it captive (picture chaining it up!), and beg God’s forgiveness and get washed clean. Make these disciplines into habits.

We’re all Rahab’s, Tamar’s, Samson’s, or Jonah’s, but we can do better. As the old hymn says, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love!” (Come, Thou fount of Every Blessing). But we don’t have to stay there. We can declare our love for God, follow Him, and be used for His glory. His glory is revealed when our lives are changed, and we are no longer listening to the lies of the world and Satan. Man up, Christians! Step aside from sin!

 

By Sandy Day

December 03, 2023

 

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