Faith and Redemption: The Story of Rahab - April 2, 2025

Introduction

Opening Greeting**: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

**Introduction to Rahab**: Brief introduction to Rahab as a figure of faith and redemption found in the Book of Joshua.

I. Rahab’s Background

Context in Scripture**: Explain the setting of Jericho and the role Rahab played in the city.

Rahab’s Lifestyle**: Acknowledge her life as a prostitute, showing the societal and personal challenges she faced.

Importance of Rahab’s Story**: Highlight why her story is significant for understanding God’s grace.

II. Rahab’s Faith

Hearing About God**: Discuss how Rahab heard of the God of Israel and His mighty acts (Joshua 2:9-11).

Act of Faith**: Explain her decision to hide the Israelite spies and the risk she took, illustrating her faith in action (Joshua 2:4-6).

Declaration of Faith**: Note her declaration of God’s sovereignty and her profession of faith (Joshua 2:11).

III. Rahab’s Redemption

The Scarlet Cord**: Symbol of salvation – her act of tying the cord in the window as instructed (Joshua 2:17-21).

The scarlet rope in Joshua 2 holds significant symbolic meaning within the narrative of the fall of Jericho. In this chapter, we encounter Rahab, a Canaanite woman living in Jericho, who provides shelter to Israelite spies sent by Joshua to scout the city. In gratitude for her protection, the spies agree to spare Rahab and her family during the impending attack on Jericho.

Rahab is instructed to tie a scarlet rope in her window as a sign to the Israelite forces to protect everyone inside her house. The scarlet rope serves several purposes:

**Sign of Protection and Salvation**: The rope is a visible marker, indicating which household should be spared during the assault on Jericho. This parallels the Passover event in Exodus, where the Israelites marked their doors with lamb’s blood to be spared from the plague.

**Symbol of Faith and Obedience**: By tying the scarlet rope in her window, Rahab demonstrates her faith and obedience to the God of the Israelites, aligning herself with God’s people rather than her own.

**Foreshadowing of Redemption**: Traditionally, the scarlet color is often associated with blood and sacrifice, hinting at concepts of redemption and salvation. Within the Christian tradition, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of the redemptive power of Christ’s sacrifice.

In the broader biblical narrative, Rahab’s inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus (found in the Gospel of Matthew) emphasizes her role and the transformative power of faith, even from those outside the traditional lineage of Israel. The scarlet rope thus encapsulates themes of mercy, redemption, and the inclusive nature of God’s salvation plan.

Rescue and Inclusion**: Discuss the rescue of Rahab and her family during the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6:22-25).

Becoming Part of Israel**: Rahab’s integration into the Israelite community and her role in salvation history (Matthew 1:5 - Rahab in the genealogy of Jesus).

IV. Lessons from Rahab’s Life

Faith in Action**: Emphasize the importance of acting on one’s faith despite societal labels or past sins.

God’s Grace and Redemption**: Highlight God’s ability and willingness to redeem anyone, regardless of their past.

Impact of Faith**: Consider how one person’s faith can have a profound impact on future generations.

Conclusion

Call to Faith**: Encourage the congregation to trust in God’s promises and take steps of faith as Rahab did.

Invitation to Redemption**: Offer an invitation to experience the transformative grace of God, as seen in Rahab’s life.

This cross next to the font is God’s invitation to you to see His grace at work in your life. Write down a sin that seems to hold sway over you.

Nail it to the cross in faith that as He promised, Christ Jesus has washed away you sin.

Closing Prayer**: Pray for the congregation to be emboldened in faith and to hold fast to the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.

- **Final Blessing**: May you go forth with the assurance that, like Rahab, your faith can lead to redemption and a legacy of grace.

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I. Rahab’s Nature

She Lived an Immoral Lifestyle

She Lived in an Ungodly Society

She Lived as an Alien from the Promises of God

No History before Joshua Two

II. Rahab’s Notoriety

Hiding the Spies (Jos. 2:4a; 6)

Deceiving the Guard (Jos. 2:4b-5)

Being Saved by the Scarlet Thread (Jos. 2:18-19)

Being Recognized for her Faith (Heb. 11:31; Jam. 2:25)

Being in the Lineage of Christ (Mat. 1:5)

III. What Makes her Noteworthy

God’s Grace is Sufficient

Sufficient for Forgiveness

Sufficient for Usefulness

Faith Makes the Difference

Your Past doesn’t have to Dictate your Future

Society doesn’t have to Dictate your Choices