Rahab, Harlot to Hero…

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Review of What has taken place…

Moses- Lead people out of Slavery, Wander in the Desert for 40 years

Joshua- Joshua has taken over, leading them into the promised land.

Children of Isreal/ Rebeunites/ Gadiets/ 1/2 Tribe of Manasah….

Overview of the Book…

Ch. 1-5 Entering the Land

Ch. 6-12 Conquering the Land

Ch. 13-21 Dividing and Settling the Land

Ch. 22-24 - Epilogue- Joshua’s Farwell and Death

“Chapter 2 is really non-essential for telling the story of Isreal’s Entrance into the land….” BC it has major significance bc it shows us that while God is working to save a whole nation and give them their inheritance, he is working on individuals!!!

The fact that the writer deliberately turns asside to insert and relate the Rahab story shows that it must carry special significane for him…. Why would he go out of his way to to add this story…??

This story about the spies is one of failure…

and there is no importance to a single pagan cannanite Harlot ?? Or was there??

Dejavu but with Two!!! Spies Vs. 1-5

Spy out the land a Second time….

Only 2 Spies this time…

This was a differnt than the first time they spied out the land 40 years ago…. ( Numbers 13-14)

The first time they were spying it out to see if they wanted to go in….

They wanted to know what the land was like...

They wanted to know all the details…

Inhabitants

Infastructure

Land was fertile or Barren

Inhabitants military strenght

Cities, camps, fortified, or strongholds?

Economic Viability

rich or poor

Vegetation

This time they were going into the land, but Joshua wanted to know what he was up against so he could be prepared.

He wanted to know the practical demands of this situation

They were sent out secretly, it was even a secret from the isrealites

“Joshuas’ Choice to send only two spies reflected sound military judgement rather than lack of faith like the first time”

They were bad spies….. They were almost immediately discovered… LOL… They were visiting the harlot….

SHITTIM- Earlier instances of Prostitution….Numbers 25:1–3 “While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.”

Treason against the Kings

1. Benedict Arnold (1741–1801) – United States 🇺🇸

Benedict Arnold

The most infamous traitor in American history.

Originally one of George Washington's best generals.

Secretly agreed to surrender the fort at West Point to the British in exchange for money and a commission.

The plot was uncovered after British Major John André was captured carrying incriminating documents.

Arnold escaped to British lines before he could be arrested.

His name remains synonymous with betrayal in the United States.

Judas Iscariot (1st Century)

Judas Iscariot

Betrayed Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver.

Though not charged with legal treason, he committed history's most famous betrayal.

His name has become synonymous with treachery.

Julius Rosenberg and Ethel Rosenberg

Julius Rosenberg and Ethel Rosenberg

Convicted of conspiring to pass atomic secrets to the Soviet Union.

Executed in 1953.

If you get wrapped up in the story you feel the anxiety the spies are felling at the end of verse 7

DONT WORRY ABOUT HOW THESE TWO SPIES WILL ESCAPE BC THERE IS SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT GOING ON HERE!!! The most important thing goin on here is Rahab’s Statement of faith in vs. 8-12

There was a SPECIAL Reason they had to “Especially” go to Jericho…. It was BC of Rahab!! VS.1

There was a special reason they had to go spie Jericho!!!

Shut Gate- things are intesnifying, and the spies are having to depend more on Rahab

Rahab…. in Rehab (Rahav )

Cannanite, Gentile

Shady Lady of Jericho….

The spies went to her for discrection bc of her profession

She Goes from the House of Shame to the Hall of Fame…. She Goes from being a prostitute to being a princes…. a Harliot to a Hero… Walking in the Nigh to Walking in the Light…

3 Times in the New Testament Mentioned….

!!! 2 of those times she is still referenced as a Harlot!!!!

God wants us to remember her Background!!!

Both “harlot” and “prostitute” translate the Hebrew word zonah, which refers to a woman engaged in sexual commerce.

What’s significant about Rahab’s designation is that despite her occupation—which placed her at the social and moral margins of Jericho—she became instrumental in Israel’s conquest and was subsequently integrated into Israelite society.

Ethical Delima…. She is Lying!!- Dont read your bible and think everything is a principle for us to apply in our lives… The bible is not approving of her lying it is just tell us what she did… (Corrie Ten Boom- The Hiding Place….. Hiding Jews from the Natizis)

91% of americans say they lie regulalerly….. That tells us 9 % are lying…

Time of the year its Harvest Time, they are harvesting flax…

Results of Rahab’s Rehab

Her confession is central theme of this passage…. vs. 8-11

What she heard was the basis of her faith; she had heard about the mighty acts of God. This is the normal way of coming to faith. Bibilcal faith is based on at least some knowledge, data, and evidence. … Faith grows, if at all out of hearing what God has done for his People!!! (BOB- Witnessing, wednesday evening!!)

“LORD” Proper Name for Yahweh…

Rahab goes from Saying “I do not know” vs. 4 to …. “I KNOW” vs. 8

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.”

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?”

HER PROFESSION/ Confession… Joshua 2:11 “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.”

She realizes who God Is…

The stories/ not the scriptures affected the Battle….

In the midst of wandering in the desert, God is still working… They felt defeated, but God was actually defeating their enemies on their behalf!!! BC the storeis of how great god is were spreading!!!

She Knows by the stories she heard!!!

Here story is one not of correct belief… She did not have everything right, but here story is one of desperate need…. She needed and wanted a saving relationship with God to save her from the wrath to come…

The word ,Testimony, and Glory of God spreads far and wide!!! VS. 10 “For we have heard How...”

Faith Comes by hearing…. Hearing the word of God!! Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

God Saves Undeserving People!!!

The Vicotires you Experiene Today fight for you in the Future!!!

Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith…

Rahab was the wife of Salmon and was the mother of Boaz thus in the lineage of Jesus!!! Matthew 1:5 “and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,” Matthew seemed to see Rahab as a trophy of Divine Grace!!

Moses Song of the Sea Exodus 15:15–16 “Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased.”

Rahab is responding in faith… She knows before it is done!!!

Joshua 6:25 “But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.”

!!!HESED- Kindness- Mercy Joshua 2:12 “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”

Red cord represents the red blood that was put outside the house in the passover, and the blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ that was shed for the remission of our sins….

Invitation Questions

Have you come to the place where Rahab came?

Can you honestly say, "I know that the Lord is God" (Joshua 2:11)?

Is your faith in Christ, or are you trusting in your own goodness?

Are you still living in the "house of shame," or have you received God's grace?

Rahab's past did not disqualify her from God's mercy.

Is there a sin or a past that you believe God cannot forgive?

If God could save a Canaanite prostitute and place her in the family line of Jesus, what makes you think He cannot save you?

Have you hidden yourself under the blood of Christ?

Just as Rahab's scarlet cord marked her house for deliverance, only the blood of Jesus can save us from God's coming judgment.

What are you trusting to save you?

Religion?

Church attendance?

Good works?

Or Christ alone?

Reflection Questions for Believers

About Faith

What stories of God's faithfulness have strengthened your faith recently?

Are you intentionally remembering what God has already done in your life?

About Witness

Rahab came to faith because sheabout God. heard 

Who around you needs to hear what God has done in your life?

Is your testimony pointing people to Christ?

About God's Grace

Do you secretly believe there are people beyond God's grace?

Is there someone you've written off that God may be preparing to save?

About Fear

Rahab acted before Jericho fell because she believed God's promises.

Where is God calling you to obey before you see the outcome?

About Your Past

Are you allowing your past to define you more than God's grace?

Do you identify more with your failures or with your identity in Christ?