Joshua04

Joshua 2:15-24

COVENANT WITH RAHAB

1.  Throughout this chapter we are given a clear picture of how cleverly Rahab deceived the men sent by the king of Jericho to pursue the Hebrew spies.  Describe Rahab’s cleverness.

2.  Bible scholars have debated about Rahab’s righteousness.  She sinned by lying about the Hebrew spies, but her motive was to save the spies lives (and ultimately save her own life and that of her family.)  One might conclude from this story, “it’s OK to lie, as long as it’s for a good cause.”  How can we handle this lesson in light of God’s commandment not to lie (Exodus 20:16)?

3.  The spies carefully instructed Rahab to tie a scarlet cord in the window of her house.  This cord would be a signal to the Israelites in their siege of Jericho, to spare the lives of those people within that house.

            Forty years earlier, Moses carefully instructed the Israelites enslaved in Egypt how to signal the angel of death to “pass over” their houses.  Read Exodus 12:21-23.

            a)  Compare the instructions for salvation given to Rahab to those instructions given to the Israelite slaves in Egypt.

            b)  The Israelites followed these instructions, and, as God promised, the angel of death passed over their houses.  From the events of this night, the pharaoh of Egypt relented, and allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt.  That’s it.  God instructed Moses; Moses instructed the Israelites; the Israelites followed the instructions; Pharaoh released the Israelites from their bondage.  Wasn’t this a one-time event?  Why then did Moses add “And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever.”  (Exodus 12:24)?

4.  When the spies return to Joshua, they reported the things that had occurred.  Did they surmise “we were sure lucky in Jericho!” or “what a gracious person we encountered!”?  No!  Their mission gave them a clear picture....... “Surely the Lord has given all the land into our hands” (Joshua 2:24.)

            a)  List those events reported in this chapter that clearly point to the Lord’s hand upon the Israelites.

            b)  Look back on significant victories in your own lives.  Did you credit your good fortune to luck or to some gracious person?  Or did you give God the credit He deserves?