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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

The context here in Joshua 2 is that of where Joshua and the Children of Israel are about to begin the conquest of entering into the Promised Land. Prior to beginning the conquest, Joshua sent two spies to check out the situation in Jericho, because it was the first obstacle that lay in the path of their possessing the Promised Land.

This city was a grossly immoral city that was surrounded by high walls, very well fortified and very secure. Jericho was surrounded by two walls about 15 feet apart.

As the spies entered the city they came to Rahab the harlot’s house for lodging. This is where we find our “character” for study this evening.

The story of Rahab, as it is recorded in Scripture, is brief but it does give us some keen insights about her. The main thing in her recorded story is her part in the destruction of Jericho by the forces of Israel under Joshua. She saved the lives of the two spies and for that deed she and all her family were spared.

After that, relatively little is said about her, but what is said tells us much. Her story is that of a scarlet woman whose faith led her to use a scarlet thread that brought her under The Scarlet Flow that made her pure and white.

In Rahab the harlot we see a beautiful picture of the power of God’s grace.

I.         RAHAB’S BACKGROUND. (JOSHUA 2)           

            The name Rahab means “spaciousness” or “broad.”

            A.        Rahab Was An Amorite Who Dwelled In Jericho.

1.        Jericho was just west of the Jordan River and would be the first major obstacle Israel found in Canaan.

2.        As an Amorite Rahab would have been a part of the Canaanitish religion that was basically heathen and idolatrous.

3.        The people of the city were mindful of the threat posed by Israel and were concerned whether or not their gods would give them victory. (Vs. 10)

            B.        Rahab Had A Family Living In The City. (Joshua 2:13)

                        1.         She had a father, mother, brothers, and sisters.

                        2.         Although they did not live with her she obviously maintained contact .

            C.        She Was A Harlot.

                        1.         Efforts to make her an inn keeper etc. do not do justice to the Scriptures.

                        2.         There is no way of determining exactly what led her into such a life.

                                    Whatever it was it was a bad decision on her part. 

3.        Even though she was a harlot she was a human being who loved her family and was apparently loved by them.

                                    a.         She was a sinner involved in an unjustifiable profession.

b.         She was not a monstrous being who was past feeling or beyond help.

c.         She had not reached the point where her conscience had been seared or her mind had become reprobate.

II.       RAHAB’S PART IN THE BATTLE OF JERICHO. (JOSHUA 2:1-6)

            A.        Two Spies Sent By Joshua Went To The House Of Rahab The Harlot.

                        (Joshua 2:1)

They would have entered Jericho through the gates of the city, which were usually left open in the day time unless they were under attack. No doubt they sought to blend in with the crowds about the city.

We are not told how they ended up at Rahab’s house. But there is no doubt that God was in it.

            B.        Rahab Was Questioned About The Two Men Seen Entering. (Joshua 2:2-5)

                        1.         The spies were noticed in their activity.

2.         Rahab hid the spies and then told her questioners that the two men left about dark just before the gate was shut.

            C.        Rahab Hid The Spies With Stalks Of Flax On Her Roof Top. (Joshua 2:6-7)

                        1.         Flax was an herb that grew two to three feet high and had blue flowers.

                        2.         Flax was used to make linen into cloth for clothes etc.

                        3.         Linseed oil was also derived from flax.

4.         The presence of the flax shows Rahab to have been an industrious woman who had interests other than harlotry.

5.         The rope or cord that the spies were let down with was possibly made of flax also.

            D.        Rahab Expressed Her Faith In The Lord To The Spies. (Joshua 2:8-11)

                        1.         She knew that the Lord had given Israel the land. (Joshua 2:9)

2.         She knew the Lord had dried up the Red Sea and destroyed two kings of the Amorites. (Joshua 2:10)

                        3.         She recognized that Jehovah was God in heaven and earth. (Joshua 2:11)

4.         There was no question in her mind about who God was and what he had done and could do.

            E.        Rahab Acted On The Basis Of What She Knew And Believed.

                        (Joshua 2:12-13)

1.         She requested that kindness be shown to her on the basis of what she had done for the spies.

                                    a.         She had spared their lives by hiding them.

b.         She had done this, not because of who the spies were, but because of who God was.

                        2.         She sought safety for her family and for herself.

                                    a.         Love and concern were being shown for her loved ones.

b.         Her actions showed both wisdom and faith.

3.         Others in Jericho had the same knowledge that Rahab had but they did not have faith to act on it. (Cf. James 2:19)

            F.        Rahab Was Promised Kindness And Safety By The Spies. (Joshua 2:14)

            G.       Rahab Aided The Spies In Escaping. (Joshua 2:15-16)

                        1.         They were let down by a cord through a window.

                                    a.         The rope or cord was likely one she had woven herself.

b.         Her house was located on the city wall and situated so that her window overlooked the outer wall.

2.         They were told to hide themselves in the mountains for three days until the pursuers were returned to the city.

H.        Rahab Was Told To Put The Scarlet Line In The Window And All Who Were In Her House Would Be Spared. (Joshua 2:17-20)

            I.         Rahab Committed Herself To Do What Was Required. (Joshua 2:21)

            J.         Rahab Was Spared When Jericho Was Destroyed. (Joshua 6:7,22-23,25)

                        1.         Joshua instructed his people to spare only Rahab and her family. (6:17)

2.         Joshua instructed the two spies to go and bring Rahab and her family out. (6:22-23)

                                    a.         They had made the oath and they would fulfill it.

b.         Rahab and her kindred were brought out and left without the camp of Israel.

                                                1)        No unclean thing was allowed within the camp.

2)         Rahab's later history indicates that she became a part of Israel and observed all the ordinances pertaining to worshiping the Lord.

3.         Rahab was living in Israel at the time the book of Joshua was written. (6:25)

III.      THE STORY OF RAHAB IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

            A.        She Is Listed In The Genealogy Of Christ. (Matthew 1:5)

                        1.         She was married to Salmon who is believed to have been one of the spies.

                        2.         She was the mother of Booz (Boaz) who married Ruth.

                        3.         She was the great-grandmother of King David.

4.         Her listing shows her to be a fully accepted woman among the people of God.

                                    a.         Her past was taken care of by the blood.

                                    b.         She became a new creature in the Lord.

            B.        She Is Said To Have Been Spared Because Of Her Faith. (Hebrews 11:31)

1.         Her faith was the difference between her and those who perished in the destruction of Jericho.

2.         Rahab and Sarah are the only two women mentioned by name in Hebrews 11.

            C.        She Is Used To Illustrate Working Faith In James 2:25-26.

                        1.         She gave evidence of her faith by her works.

                        2.         We only believe those things that we are moved to act upon.

Conclusion

Rahab is an example of the greatness of the grace of God.

Rahab is an example of Biblical faith that acts on what is believed.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!