Rahab Hides the Spies

Situational Ethics in Times of Battle

Joshua 2:1–3 “And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. 2 And it was told to the king of Jericho, “Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” 3 Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.””

Is it intrinsically wrong to enter into and spend the night in a prostitute’s house?

The spies’ reputation.

Their motive.

Their message.

Their protection.

Is it always wrong to lie to and deceive the enemies of God?

Joshua 2:4–5 “But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.””

Did Rahab lie in verse 5?

Had she deceived her own country?

When Are Our Convictions for God and Our Petitions for His Safety Bigger Than the Threat of the Situation We Live In?

Joshua 2:9–13 “and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. 11 And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. 12 Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign 13 that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.””

Because Rehab is a Friend to the Spies of God, the Men Will Protect Her.

James 2:25 “And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?”

The Prostitute Is Justified by Her Works.

Her Works of “receiving the messengers.” = Hosting them amidst hostility.

Sent them out another way = Delusional Tactics to God’s Enemies.

2 Thessalonians 2:11 “Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,”

Rahab the Prostitute is A Gentile Ancestor of Jesus

Hebrews 11:31 “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”

Where is Rahab’s heart?

Where is Rahab’s Allegiance?

Do These Over-Ride Her Lies?

Would you expect a woman of ill-repute to lie?

Would you expect the God of grace to have mercy on those who turn to Him in faith and obedience?

Rahab Did Not Perish With the Disobedient.

Because She Gave a Friendly Welcome to The Spies.

Deuteronomy 4:39 “know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.”

Joshua 6:23 “So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. And they brought all her relatives and put them outside the camp of Israel.”

God saved Rahab - a sinner among sinners. Do you have her faith? Will you have her obedience? Will you take a stand for God? The stand for the actual truth?

Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”