Trusting God's Salvation
Rahab
Text: Book of Joshua Chapter 2
Our Focus 2:1-15, 18
Trusting in God's Salvation.
That word "trusting" spiritually speaking means "to rely on". We must rely on God for our "salvation". The only thing we provide to Him is a sinner in need of salvation.
That word "trusting" is used only 1 time in the Bible:
Psa 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, [trusting in the LORD].
When our hearts are fixed and we trust in the Lord(Jehovah) we can be saved!
The Hebrew word "batach" that was translated to the word "trusting" in this verse of Psalms, is used 120 times in the Bible, but not ever again as the word "trusting".
"Batach" means we must have "confidence" in the Word of God.
We have just finished a study in the Book of Hebrews and we saw this same Rahab in Chapter 11 in what is called the Wall of Faith.
Heb 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab [perished not with them that believed not], when she had received the spies with peace.
Rahab had faith in the Word of God.
Rahab trusted in the Word of God!
There are only two women that were mentioned in Hebrews 11.
Sarah, who was a godly woman.
And, Rahab who had been an ungodly woman all her life.
The fact remains that "we are all sinners" saved by the "Grace of God"!
Rahab had worshipped pagan gods and sold her own body for money.
Rahab had absolutely nothing in common with Sarah except her "faith".
James, when he was inspired to write by the Holy Ghost, even compares the "faith" of the Harlot Rahab, to that of Abraham:
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:25 [Likewise] also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, [so faith without works is dead also].
These are the works "that follow" the "faith" of the believer!
A true saving "faith" always proves itself by good works!
[Rahab was saved by her faith and not by her works] but she also made it into the ancestry of the Messiah, the Son of God in the flesh, Jesus!
Mat 1:5 [And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab]; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
This same Boaz married Ruth in another chapter in God's Word.
So we see that God can use anyone and from any walk in life.
Jehovah God is truly no respecter of persons!
Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. [But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:]
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, [even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.]
The Bible proves to us that God will choose the most unlikely people to have a part in His Work by His "Grace"!
So let's begin:
*****Jos 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. [And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there].
Moses had sent out 12 spies and they were unfaithful, at least all but two. This same Joshua, and Caleb.
Jericho was about 7 or 8 miles from the river of Jordan.
There is no telling what goes through the minds of the reader when they see this passage and read where these two men went straight to the house of a harlot.
We should never over look the providence of God.
We should consider, if these two spies had gone to a regular inn they would have been more noticeable as strangers in the land, and they were trying to avoid this at all cost.
But what we should concentrate on is the fact that God had already prepared this Rahab to receive His people!
We will see that she received, lodged, sheltered, and protected the messengers of God.
What did Jesus tell his disciples that He sent out as messengers to the people?
Mat 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
Mat 10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
God also prepares the hearts of those that will receive His messengers!
We need to realize that not one Missionary would accomplish anything unless God has prepared someone to receive them.
This is the very reason no one can have their own plan for missions but "we must be obedient to God's call" and to the place God has called us.
These spies may have been led to this house because it was situated on the wall itself but there can be no doubt that they had been directed there by God Himself!
*****Jos 2:2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.
Even though these two spies had entered Jericho in the evening just before the gates were closed they had not gone unnoticed.
As this passage unfolds we will see that these men of Jericho have themselves been watching Israel for all the 40 years that they were in the wilderness.
They were very aware of their presence near the river Jordan!
They were also very aware that Israel had been promised this land known as Canaan Land.
*****Jos 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
Rahab had to take her life into her own hands when she had welcomed God's people into her home.
Since these two men represented God's people, and she was not afraid to offer her help, she was not about to give them to this king.
If the king discovered her deception it could have meant her death.
*****Jos 2:4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, [There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: ]
When is a lie a real lie?
When situations arise that go against the teachings of God, which is this case, what would the words of Jesus be?
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
We must obey the Word of God even over those of our own governments at times!
Rahab had demonstrated her "faith" by being obedient to the Word of God. How could she now just give up those she had taken in?
It is never OK to go against the Word of God even if it means we have to go against the laws of man!
"AND, We never have the right to cause the death of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, just to protect ourselves"!
We must remember who we serve!
Rahab's "faith" was not hidden. She took her stand for the Lord God Almighty. Those two spies could readily tell she was a "believer".
*****Jos 2:5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
We can see the Rahab willingly took part in the work and the safety of the spies. We can also see that Rahab was well known to these men sent of the king because he had no problem in believing what she had said.
The question is always asked, Did God sanction Rahab’s lie? I believe He did.
We might also ask, Did God sanction those who hid the Jews during World War II? I believe He did.
We support a missionary who smuggles Bibles into China.
Does God sanction the deceit of Bible smugglers who are lying to the Chinese government officials in order to get the Word of God into the hands of Chinese Christians? I believe He does.
The Apostle Peter and the Apostle John broke the law of the land.
Did God sanction the breaking of those laws?
Act 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Act 4:20 [For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.]
Does God sanction the telling of lies? NO
Does God place His Word above all manmade law? That answer is YES!
This called taking a stand on the Word of God!
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, [to stand.]
*****Jos 2:6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
Flax is the plant that is processed to make linen.
The Canaanites were familiar with the use of linen, as evidenced in our scripture. BUT, We can see that this Rahab also worked to make a living in an honest way by making linen cloth.
The ancient method of processing flax into linen included soaking the flax and then laying it out to dry.
The flat roofs of these homes made it the ideal place dry this flax and Rahab had a large stack of these plants drying on her roof.
It also made it the ideal place to hide these spies at this time.
*****Jos 2:7 And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
Rahab had been so convincing that these men of the king left in hot pursuit of the spies. But we can see they shut the gate of the city and probably posted guards to make sure they could not return.
We can also see that these men of Jericho searched all the way back to the river Jordan to a place (the fords) where they knew it was the easiest place to cross the river especially during the flooding season. (The time of the barley harvest).
We should know that the harvest of the barley and the flax happened at the same time!
*****Jos 2:8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
Jos 2:9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
Before these two spies had a chance to sleep Rahab came and explained her faith to them.
We should immediately notice that Rahab showed more faith in the Lord than the ten of the spies that were sent out by Moses.
We have just spent some time in the Book of Hebrews but it said of Rahab:
Heb 11:31 "By faith" [the harlot Rahab] perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
We can see the truth of that scripture as we read the Book of Joshua!
Her "faith" was based on facts!
To the church God says:
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So what had Rahab heard about Israel?
*****Jos 2:10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
It had been 40 years since God had parted the Red Sea for the escape of Israel but it was still believed as a fact in Jericho.
The defeat of the two kings, Sihon and Og were things that had happened more recently and Jericho was well aware of army of God.
We should also notice that God had allowed 40 more years for the Canaanites to change their ways but they had not.
Remember what God had told Abraham:
Gen 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
God had revealed Himself, not only to Israel but also to the known world and given them time to repent AND, It did not happen!
God has made it very clear to all the world, in the New Testament:
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
How long will God wait before He comes in judgment?
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
*****Jos 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
What is the power of conviction that brings "faith"?
Rahab was living in a pagan culture and had never heard the Word of God.
Rahab had not seen the first miracle.
Rahab had "only heard" how the mightiest nation on Earth at that time Egypt, had been humbled by Jehovah God, the I Am, of the Bible.
Rahab had "only heard" how Egypt had been humbled because Pharaoh refused the demands of Jehovah.
Rahab had "only heard" how Jehovah had redeemed poor, slaves from bondage.
Rahab had "only heard" how Jehovah had parted the Red Sea.
Rahab had "only heard" how the most mighty army in the world of that time had been destroyed.
Rahab had "only heard" how these slaves had wandered in the wilderness until they also were humbled by this Jehovah.
Rahab had "only heard" how these redeemed slaves had somehow conquered Sihon and Og of the Amorites.
Now Rahab could see that this bunch of redeemed people were camped near the river Jordan and were poised to conquer Canaan Land.
Rahab knew that she had never witnessed any things like these of her pagan gods!
SO, Rahab believed the things she had heard and Rahab stood alone against all her countrymen!
Do we wonder why Rahab was mentioned in the New Testament?
Those words the LORD your God mean "Jehovah the Holy Trinity".
He is the God of Heaven above and also the God of the Earth beneath that Heaven!
This is why it is called "faith"!
What did the Apostle Paul write to the Romans?
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, [Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed].
How could we ever question the salvation of Rahab?
You know it is past time that Christians should stand against our own government!
Maybe not in the act of war but surely in the truth of the Word of God!
*****Jos 2:12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, [since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house,] and give me a true token:
Rahab prayed to be a part of God's chosen people!
Rahab had realized the "Grace and Mercy" of this Holy God and she wanted to be a part of Him and also her family.
Once we know the Lord as our Savior, we need to do all we can to help our families know the same.
Rahab realized that Jehovah had a personal relationship with Israel and He was no respecter of persons for He cared even for the poor and for slaves.
Rahab realized that God also loved the stranger!
*****Jos 2:13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
Jos 2:14 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, [if ye utter not this our business]. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
Rahab wanted a guarantee.
These two men of Israel:
1.) They pledged their word.
2.) They pledged their lives that they would not break their word.
This was being like Christ before Christ came into the world.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has pledged Himself as the "guarantor of a better covenant".
Heb 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Jesus Christ died for us all and that included Rahab and her family but more important "He lives", so our salvation is secure!
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Rahab also had to make a promise.
Rahab had to promise not to tell of their agreement.
All of Jericho already knew why the spies were sent. Rahab would have jeopardized her own safety if she told anyone else what had happened and also that of her family if she did not bring them into her house.
*****Jos 2:15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: [for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall].
We can be sure that it was not that cord that is our lesson here but it is the color of that cord which is a "type" of the "Blood" of Jesus.
Jos 2:16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
Jos 2:17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
Jos 2:18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.
Rahab made sure that these two men of Israel understood the directions she had given to their pursuers and gave them different instructions.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James gives us this example of good works "after faith", which brought salvation.
BUT, This thin scarlet line was Rahab's only hope of deliverance for her and her family.
We can be sure that the color of this line is given to us of the New Testament to remind us of the blood of Jesus.
To Israel it would be a reminder of the blood sprinkled post of their homes in Egypt the day of the passover, when the death angel was to pass over.
We need to be clear. Rahab and her family would be saved by her "faith in God" to deliver her and not faith in some red rope.
The fact that she hung the rope was a sign of her "faith"!
Rahab was a woman of great courage. She would have to tell her family of the coming destruction and the promised salvation.
Jehovah God had put His fear all over Canaan Land.
This was good news and a great assurance for Joshua!
*****Jos 2:24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
Rahab found her place in Israel. She was married to Salmon and their son was Boaz, whom we will study when we get to the Book of Ruth.
Their son was Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David the most loved king of Israel.
It is the line of David that leads us the Mary and Joseph the God selected parents of the Holy Ghost delivered Son of God who we call the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rahab's name will live forever as an ancestor of Jesus Christ!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
Rahab
Text: Book of Joshua Chapter 2
Our Focus 2:1-15, 18
Trusting in God's Salvation.
That word "trusting" spiritually speaking means "to rely on". We must rely on God for our "salvation". The only thing we provide to Him is a sinner in need of salvation.
That word "trusting" is used only 1 time in the Bible:
Psa 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, [trusting in the LORD].
When our hearts are fixed and we trust in the Lord(Jehovah) we can be saved!
The Hebrew word "batach" that was translated to the word "trusting" in this verse of Psalms, is used 120 times in the Bible, but not ever again as the word "trusting".
"Batach" means we must have "confidence" in the Word of God.
We have just finished a study in the Book of Hebrews and we saw this same Rahab in Chapter 11 in what is called the Wall of Faith.
Heb 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab [perished not with them that believed not], when she had received the spies with peace.
Rahab had faith in the Word of God.
Rahab trusted in the Word of God!
There are only two women that were mentioned in Hebrews 11.
Sarah, who was a godly woman.
And, Rahab who had been an ungodly woman all her life.
The fact remains that "we are all sinners" saved by the "Grace of God"!
Rahab had worshipped pagan gods and sold her own body for money.
Rahab had absolutely nothing in common with Sarah except her "faith".
James, when he was inspired to write by the Holy Ghost, even compares the "faith" of the Harlot Rahab, to that of Abraham:
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:25 [Likewise] also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, [so faith without works is dead also].
These are the works "that follow" the "faith" of the believer!
A true saving "faith" always proves itself by good works!
[Rahab was saved by her faith and not by her works] but she also made it into the ancestry of the Messiah, the Son of God in the flesh, Jesus!
Mat 1:5 [And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab]; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
This same Boaz married Ruth in another chapter in God's Word.
So we see that God can use anyone and from any walk in life.
Jehovah God is truly no respecter of persons!
Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. [But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:]
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, [even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.]
The Bible proves to us that God will choose the most unlikely people to have a part in His Work by His "Grace"!
So let's begin:
*****Jos 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. [And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there].
Moses had sent out 12 spies and they were unfaithful, at least all but two. This same Joshua, and Caleb.
Jericho was about 7 or 8 miles from the river of Jordan.
There is no telling what goes through the minds of the reader when they see this passage and read where these two men went straight to the house of a harlot.
We should never over look the providence of God.
We should consider, if these two spies had gone to a regular inn they would have been more noticeable as strangers in the land, and they were trying to avoid this at all cost.
But what we should concentrate on is the fact that God had already prepared this Rahab to receive His people!
We will see that she received, lodged, sheltered, and protected the messengers of God.
What did Jesus tell his disciples that He sent out as messengers to the people?
Mat 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
Mat 10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
God also prepares the hearts of those that will receive His messengers!
We need to realize that not one Missionary would accomplish anything unless God has prepared someone to receive them.
This is the very reason no one can have their own plan for missions but "we must be obedient to God's call" and to the place God has called us.
These spies may have been led to this house because it was situated on the wall itself but there can be no doubt that they had been directed there by God Himself!
*****Jos 2:2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.
Even though these two spies had entered Jericho in the evening just before the gates were closed they had not gone unnoticed.
As this passage unfolds we will see that these men of Jericho have themselves been watching Israel for all the 40 years that they were in the wilderness.
They were very aware of their presence near the river Jordan!
They were also very aware that Israel had been promised this land known as Canaan Land.
*****Jos 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
Rahab had to take her life into her own hands when she had welcomed God's people into her home.
Since these two men represented God's people, and she was not afraid to offer her help, she was not about to give them to this king.
If the king discovered her deception it could have meant her death.
*****Jos 2:4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, [There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: ]
When is a lie a real lie?
When situations arise that go against the teachings of God, which is this case, what would the words of Jesus be?
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
We must obey the Word of God even over those of our own governments at times!
Rahab had demonstrated her "faith" by being obedient to the Word of God. How could she now just give up those she had taken in?
It is never OK to go against the Word of God even if it means we have to go against the laws of man!
"AND, We never have the right to cause the death of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, just to protect ourselves"!
We must remember who we serve!
Rahab's "faith" was not hidden. She took her stand for the Lord God Almighty. Those two spies could readily tell she was a "believer".
*****Jos 2:5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
We can see the Rahab willingly took part in the work and the safety of the spies. We can also see that Rahab was well known to these men sent of the king because he had no problem in believing what she had said.
The question is always asked, Did God sanction Rahab’s lie? I believe He did.
We might also ask, Did God sanction those who hid the Jews during World War II? I believe He did.
We support a missionary who smuggles Bibles into China.
Does God sanction the deceit of Bible smugglers who are lying to the Chinese government officials in order to get the Word of God into the hands of Chinese Christians? I believe He does.
The Apostle Peter and the Apostle John broke the law of the land.
Did God sanction the breaking of those laws?
Act 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Act 4:20 [For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.]
Does God sanction the telling of lies? NO
Does God place His Word above all manmade law? That answer is YES!
This called taking a stand on the Word of God!
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, [to stand.]
*****Jos 2:6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
Flax is the plant that is processed to make linen.
The Canaanites were familiar with the use of linen, as evidenced in our scripture. BUT, We can see that this Rahab also worked to make a living in an honest way by making linen cloth.
The ancient method of processing flax into linen included soaking the flax and then laying it out to dry.
The flat roofs of these homes made it the ideal place dry this flax and Rahab had a large stack of these plants drying on her roof.
It also made it the ideal place to hide these spies at this time.
*****Jos 2:7 And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
Rahab had been so convincing that these men of the king left in hot pursuit of the spies. But we can see they shut the gate of the city and probably posted guards to make sure they could not return.
We can also see that these men of Jericho searched all the way back to the river Jordan to a place (the fords) where they knew it was the easiest place to cross the river especially during the flooding season. (The time of the barley harvest).
We should know that the harvest of the barley and the flax happened at the same time!
*****Jos 2:8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
Jos 2:9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
Before these two spies had a chance to sleep Rahab came and explained her faith to them.
We should immediately notice that Rahab showed more faith in the Lord than the ten of the spies that were sent out by Moses.
We have just spent some time in the Book of Hebrews but it said of Rahab:
Heb 11:31 "By faith" [the harlot Rahab] perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
We can see the truth of that scripture as we read the Book of Joshua!
Her "faith" was based on facts!
To the church God says:
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So what had Rahab heard about Israel?
*****Jos 2:10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
It had been 40 years since God had parted the Red Sea for the escape of Israel but it was still believed as a fact in Jericho.
The defeat of the two kings, Sihon and Og were things that had happened more recently and Jericho was well aware of army of God.
We should also notice that God had allowed 40 more years for the Canaanites to change their ways but they had not.
Remember what God had told Abraham:
Gen 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
God had revealed Himself, not only to Israel but also to the known world and given them time to repent AND, It did not happen!
God has made it very clear to all the world, in the New Testament:
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
How long will God wait before He comes in judgment?
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
*****Jos 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
What is the power of conviction that brings "faith"?
Rahab was living in a pagan culture and had never heard the Word of God.
Rahab had not seen the first miracle.
Rahab had "only heard" how the mightiest nation on Earth at that time Egypt, had been humbled by Jehovah God, the I Am, of the Bible.
Rahab had "only heard" how Egypt had been humbled because Pharaoh refused the demands of Jehovah.
Rahab had "only heard" how Jehovah had redeemed poor, slaves from bondage.
Rahab had "only heard" how Jehovah had parted the Red Sea.
Rahab had "only heard" how the most mighty army in the world of that time had been destroyed.
Rahab had "only heard" how these slaves had wandered in the wilderness until they also were humbled by this Jehovah.
Rahab had "only heard" how these redeemed slaves had somehow conquered Sihon and Og of the Amorites.
Now Rahab could see that this bunch of redeemed people were camped near the river Jordan and were poised to conquer Canaan Land.
Rahab knew that she had never witnessed any things like these of her pagan gods!
SO, Rahab believed the things she had heard and Rahab stood alone against all her countrymen!
Do we wonder why Rahab was mentioned in the New Testament?
Those words the LORD your God mean "Jehovah the Holy Trinity".
He is the God of Heaven above and also the God of the Earth beneath that Heaven!
This is why it is called "faith"!
What did the Apostle Paul write to the Romans?
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, [Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed].
How could we ever question the salvation of Rahab?
You know it is past time that Christians should stand against our own government!
Maybe not in the act of war but surely in the truth of the Word of God!
*****Jos 2:12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, [since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house,] and give me a true token:
Rahab prayed to be a part of God's chosen people!
Rahab had realized the "Grace and Mercy" of this Holy God and she wanted to be a part of Him and also her family.
Once we know the Lord as our Savior, we need to do all we can to help our families know the same.
Rahab realized that Jehovah had a personal relationship with Israel and He was no respecter of persons for He cared even for the poor and for slaves.
Rahab realized that God also loved the stranger!
*****Jos 2:13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
Jos 2:14 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, [if ye utter not this our business]. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
Rahab wanted a guarantee.
These two men of Israel:
1.) They pledged their word.
2.) They pledged their lives that they would not break their word.
This was being like Christ before Christ came into the world.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has pledged Himself as the "guarantor of a better covenant".
Heb 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Jesus Christ died for us all and that included Rahab and her family but more important "He lives", so our salvation is secure!
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Rahab also had to make a promise.
Rahab had to promise not to tell of their agreement.
All of Jericho already knew why the spies were sent. Rahab would have jeopardized her own safety if she told anyone else what had happened and also that of her family if she did not bring them into her house.
*****Jos 2:15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: [for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall].
We can be sure that it was not that cord that is our lesson here but it is the color of that cord which is a "type" of the "Blood" of Jesus.
Jos 2:16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
Jos 2:17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
Jos 2:18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.
Rahab made sure that these two men of Israel understood the directions she had given to their pursuers and gave them different instructions.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James gives us this example of good works "after faith", which brought salvation.
BUT, This thin scarlet line was Rahab's only hope of deliverance for her and her family.
We can be sure that the color of this line is given to us of the New Testament to remind us of the blood of Jesus.
To Israel it would be a reminder of the blood sprinkled post of their homes in Egypt the day of the passover, when the death angel was to pass over.
We need to be clear. Rahab and her family would be saved by her "faith in God" to deliver her and not faith in some red rope.
The fact that she hung the rope was a sign of her "faith"!
Rahab was a woman of great courage. She would have to tell her family of the coming destruction and the promised salvation.
Jehovah God had put His fear all over Canaan Land.
This was good news and a great assurance for Joshua!
*****Jos 2:24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
Rahab found her place in Israel. She was married to Salmon and their son was Boaz, whom we will study when we get to the Book of Ruth.
Their son was Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David the most loved king of Israel.
It is the line of David that leads us the Mary and Joseph the God selected parents of the Holy Ghost delivered Son of God who we call the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rahab's name will live forever as an ancestor of Jesus Christ!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
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