Grace, Grace, God’s Grace,
Grace that is Greater Than All Our Sin…
Though she had three strikes against her:
woman, prostitute, and Canaanite…
She is elevated three times in the New Testament!
Tessa Ashfar, author of historical biblical novels,
wrote her first novel on Rahab, asking,
“What kind of God would choose a woman like Rahab
and elevate her to a place of honor?”
Only our God, a God of grace, who turns ashes into beauty.
I’ve enjoyed listening to Ashfar’s novels on audio.
Here she is speaking on three of her novels — the first being “Pearl in the Sand,” which is based on the book of Joshua and Rahab’s story. She also has a novel on Ruth, whom we will study next week.
This is profoundly relevant to each of us, for we each need to be rescued from our sin and shame and reminded that we are not orphans, but beloved children of God.
A month ago I broke my hand, falling in pickleball. The x-ray revealed broken bones. As I drove myself to the orthopedist, wondering what he would tell me, realizing how incapacitated I would be with my dominant in a cast, fear wrapped its icy cloak around me. I live alone and I had traveling, writing, and Christmas ahead. How was I going to manage it? And would this doctor, whom I did not know, really be able to help me or should I be going to a bigger city? Those old feelings of unworthiness took hold of me. Who am I to expect mercy when I so sinful?
And then the word came. You are not an orphan, Dee. You are my beloved child. I am leading you. Trust me.
Now the warmth of His Spirit enveloped me. When I saw the doctor, this was our conversation:
Me: “I delayed a week in getting an x-ray because I have such a high pain tolerance that sometimes I don’t realize how badly I’ve been hurt. I’m like a leper that way.”
Dr. Davis: “But lepers feel no pain. I have a hero who worked with lepers. He led me into medicine — his name is Henry Brandt.”
Me: “The Henry Brandt who co-authored Fearfully and Wonderfully Made with Philip Yancey?”
Dr. Davis: Broad grin. “That’s the one.”
Me: “Dr. Davis, are you a believer in Jesus Christ?”
Dr. Davis: (Big smile) “Yes, I am!”
I stretched out my unbroken hand for him to shake — and he clasped it firmly. Then he went and got a picture of Dr. Brandt and him together. It was the kind of moment only true believers can experience: that blest Tie that binds.
You are not an orphan, Dee, you are my beloved child. See how I love you?
We each need this message. He saw Leah, Tamar, and Rahab. He washed away their scarlet sins and made them white as snow. He loved them. And He loves you and me.
You are not an orphan. You are His beloved child. He loves you.
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately?
Monday: Overview
I’m sure Rahab never aspired to be a prostitute. Women without a man in that world were reduced to begging or selling their bodies if they wanted to survive. Abused and degraded, how she must have longed for escape. How weary she must have been of life!
It was Sara Groves who made me aware that It Came Upon a Midnight Clear is a lament.
Consider these lyrics:
Here was Rahab, beneath life’s crushing load. But she heard about God who cared for His people, who “dried up the Red Sea” for them, and she feared that God. This was the beginning of wisdom for her, and would lead to her faith, and to being set free. She would go on to marry an Israelite named Salmon, and give birth to Boaz, the hero of the book of Ruth.
3. Imagine what it would be like to be a prostitute in Jericho. Get into her shoes and feel the weight of her load.
4. Read Joshua 2 and share anything that stands out to you. Share why.
Tuesday: The Lie
5. Read Joshua 2:1-7
A. Why do you godly men chose to hide at a prostitute’s house?
B. What lie did Rahab tell?
6. Christians disagree on whether it is ever right to tell a lie. I listened to four sermons on Rahab and found men on both sides. I remember being flabbergasted when my son-in-law, whom I love, said he wouldn’t have hidden the Jews during the holocaust because it involved lying. Do you think it is ever right to lie? Why or why not? Support your answer scripturally if possible.
7. Read Joshua 2:8-13
A. What did Rahab know about their God and how did she say she felt about him?
B. Did fear have any part in bringing you to Christ? Explain.
Wednesday: The Sign and The Rescue
Just as the Israelites but the red blood of a lamb over the doorposts of their homes as a sign of faith to preserve themselves and their families from God’s wrath, so Rahab hung a scarlet cord from her window, as a sign of faith to preserve herself and her family from God’s wrath.
8. Read Joshua 2:14-24
A. What promise did the spies make in verse 14?
B. What extra care for the spies do you see in Rahab?
C. What would happen to any family who went outside the house? What symbolism do you see?
D. To whom did the spies credit their success? (24)
9. Read Hebrews 11:31
A. For what two acts was Rahab commended in this verse?
B. Can you share an experience of God leading you to welcome someone into your home that was
risky for you? Why did you do it and what was the result?
10. Read James 2:25 and share what you learn.
11. Read Matthew 1:5. Using your imagination, what obstacles might have Salmon had to overcome to marry Rahab? How do you think he did it?
Thursday-Friday: Sermon by Eric Alexander
12. Scottish preacher Eric Alexander has a short and pity sermon on Rahab. Listen and share your notes and comments.
Friday:
13. What do you think you will remember about Rahab and how will you apply it to your life this Advent?
143 comments
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? The story of how God met you in your need, Dee. Not only with a capable doctor but one that you could connect with and that serves the same God as you. Amazing.
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately? This is not as specific as your story, Dee, but God has put in me a severe restlessness, an ever-present invitation to commune with Him, to speak to Him, to seek Him. Almost like a heavy hand reminding me that it is Him I need and could go to instead of any number of other things. It is a sense of longing for His presence, I miss Him and He is calling to me.
That’s good, Jill. He is indeed the Hound of Heaven!
Jill ~
How I can identify with your answer to number 2.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Oh Dee! How He shows Himself as your Husband over and over! This story–Dr. Davis, Henry Brandt–oh my, tears. LOVE this story, love His continual care and protection over you. How Steve must smile.
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately?
We have been attending a different church lately, the one I’ve worked for 11 years. I’ve been so touched by the warmth of welcome, community around us, love for my family. Also the joy God has brought to our home after a lot of hardship and hard decisions, He has blessed with laughter, and sweet joy. I am experiencing the truth of His favor on me,true for all of us but sometimes we are hesitant to believe. I feel so blessed, so thankful.
I’m so happy to hear this, Lizzy!
Wonderful news, Lizzy, of your new church home and of the joy in your home after a lot of hardships. I love it. So happy for you!!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Thank you for your vulnerable honesty with us here this morning, Dee, for I berate myself when I fall into fear. Why do we need reminded so often that we are beloved and beautiful in His eyes? It must have to do with the war we are in for our very hearts (this side of heaven). It is a personal, continual, daily, hourly rescue that He is willing to do.
What a surprising and beautiful conversation you had with your doctor, reassuring you of our God’s specific care for you.
Over the past year I have been growing increasingly fearful about arthritis in my hand joints as the pain has been increasing and affecting everything I need to do with my hands. I have played guitar for over 40 years and it is beginning to affect my ability to both play and teach my students. (I’ve attempted to address it with exercises and I have tried ignoring the pain, but that is no longer working.) Asking our Lord to show me what to do.
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately?
My little sister’s generous actions and kind words to me these past two days have been a very clear, beautiful, valuable gift from the Lord of how the body of Christ tends to each other. He created us for inter-dependence, not independence. And how we need each other to be the hands and feet of our Lord ~ often.
So true about the body of Christ, Nila.
And I pray for your hands and wisdom on what to do.
Nila, praying for your hands. They are gifts from God as well as your music.
I will pray for healing of your hands and for God’s guidance on what you are to do.
Nila I too have a significant problem with arthritis, I have been helped tremendously by a supplement that has botanicals proven to help with inflammation, the main ingredient is turmeric. Going low carb has also made a huge difference too. I am sorry you are hurting :/
What stands out in the above and why? The following paragraph stood out to me “What kind of God would choose a woman like Rahab and elevate her to a place of honor? Only our God, a God of grace, who turns ashes into beauty.”
I’m always amazed by the grace of God…He alone can turn our ashes into beauty! Only a God who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten would be willing to go to such lengths to include Leah, Tamar , Rahab and all of those of us who have felt alone, unloved, unlovely, and orphaned in His inheritance!
What are some ways you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately? I have been feeling very alone and yet unable to reach out (though I usually can). My college roommate who remains a dear friend called out of the blue and was coming to my town with her husband…he had a workshop here. We had such a blessed visit together and I knew it to be a gift from the heart of God!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
When i I read the quote, “You are not an orphan, you are His beloved child. He loves you.” I tear up. I want to believe that, but life….
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately?
My first reaction is that I don’t. I am tired, discouraged, too busy, and feeling old. But if I’m honest, I realize many have come to our aid the last few years (with babies), with kind words, assistance when items are dropped, and baby sitting, and that is sweet. I’m guessing He is present in them.
I hear and feel your pain, Laura, on so many levels. Sometimes it’s discouraging to hear how God has seemed to meet with others and yet we feel so alone and without help. I also loved the message from Dee that we are not orphans. We are His children. And He can meet our needs with Himself when no human help is forthcoming. I read this morning in Proverbs 4 that our path is growing brighter each day! By faith we believe that truth because we are only here temporarily, and our future with Him is only bliss and rest and peace. Jesus always saves the best for last! And He can hold our hand on this journey. I love the quote from “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.” I’ve sung that verse many times, but never saw the comfort in it before. “Stop beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing!” Love you, sweet sister, and praying for you just now.
Just seeing this Miriam. How sweet and refreshing it is to my soul…thank you!
Hugs, Laura.
♥️
Laura, it must be so hard for you, raising your two young grandchildren….I’m sure you remember, like I do, how even when we were much younger in our 20’s and 30’s, how exhausting it was to care for babies and toddlers, and I believe you’re in your 50’s now, like I am? I can’t even imagine….and you also work full-time. He is showing His love for you through the helping hands of those who have shown up to help.
Oh Susan! Yes some days it is hard, but God made me strong and energetic “for such a time as this…”
Sunday
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
”We each need to be rescued from our sin and shame and reminded that we are not orphans, but beloved children of God.” I need this reminder.
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately?
I sensed it through much needed fellowship with other believers this morning in church.
Dee, the story of you & Dr. Davis just gave me chills. That has God written all over it. Love, love it. praying for continued healing & recovery.
Thanks, Wendy.
What stood out to me and why?
1. Three strikes and you’re out! Sounds like a baseball game, right? Rahab had it going rough for herself-a woman, a prostitute and a Canaanite. But God..turned ashes into beauty. for each dishonor, God brought honor. And how about me? How many strikes do I have against me? Oh, Lord, thank you for loving me!
Hebrews 11: 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.James 2:25 – Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?Matthew 1:5 – And Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And from Jesse, came David.
2. I am not an orphan, I am a child of God. The song “I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God” came to mind by Melissa Helser and Jonathan David https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
3. Your story, Dee warmed my heart. Just like God to bring along a doctor who is like-hearted. He was smiling at you and so was Steve.
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately?
With only 1 full practice and 3 partial practices due to several illnesses and conflicts of schedule, we presented our kids musical, A New Star. He was present with us BIG time and the kids did a marvelous job! Lines were the best ever and the songs so good. And there were as always “stealers of the show” including a 4 year old. The lines of their last song are still ringing inside of me, “what can I give Him, poor as I am…I will give Him my heart!” God, you are good-just the message I needed. I just need to give you myself, not any forms of sacrifice or righteousness.
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
1. Three strikes and you’re out! Sounds like a baseball game, right? Rahab had a rough going for herself-a woman, a prostitute and a Canaanite. BUT God…turned ashes into beauty. For every strike of dishonor, God redeemed and brought honor by making her a part of the lineage of Christ.
a. Matthew 1:5-6 …Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.
b. Hebrews 11: 31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
c. James 2:25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
And how about me? How many strikes? Oh, Lord, thank you for loving me.
2. Your story, Dee. How like God to provide Dr. Davis for you. He was smiling at you and so was Steve.
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately?
With just one full rehearsal, and 3 partial rehearsals due to illness and conflict in schedules, we presented the kids musical, “A New Star” this morning. Ah, surely the presence of the Lord was in our place of worship. He showed up big-lines were clearer, songs sweeter and the story of Jesus’ birth told. The message was just what I needed. I can still hear the words to their closing song, “What can I give Him, poor as I am…Give Him my heart.” Lord, you want my heart not sacrifice or righteousness.
Your words always drip with sweetness, dear sister. I love how you closed by saying that He wants our hearts, not sacrifice or righteousness. How sweet and humble of Him to want my heart and not what I can do for Him. How unlike our human masters! Thank you for this reminder. If He wants my heart, then I shall give it to Him!
Miriam, I loved how your response tied is so beautifully with Bing’s posted just before yours 🙂
1. What stands out. Three times, in red, you have the statement about not being an orphan. That we are His beloved children and He loves us. I’ve been an earthly orphan for nearly 17 years. But if I stop and think about it, I was a functional one long before that. I made a lot of adult decisions for my parents starting when I was a teen. My father loved me and was great at listening and encouraging, but he had no leadership or strength to guide me. If you asked me how I feel about being an orphan, I’d shrug and say it’s no big deal. But it is a big deal for God to say to me that He is my father and He intends to lead me, guide me, and work with me to become like Christ. I had to learn, and am still learning, that while the best parts of my earthly father mirror my heavenly One, the heavenly One will never mirror the weaknesses of my earthly one.
2. The goodness of God lately. Sunday afternoon is when I have time to myself to work on this blog and some other things that are important to me. Today there was a two hour meeting right after church, then my college mentee spent five hours here. When she left, my husband decided he needed my help for the next two hours. My tendency is to get upset or anxious. But God kept calming me on the inside, helping me to go with the flow and be there for these other people. Those are gifts!
I can identify, Mary, with not being able to get to want I want to get to, and them remembering God is in the interruptions.
3. Imagine what it would be like to be a prostitute in Jericho. Get into her shoes and feel the weight of her load.
I would imagine she felt physically dirty. People were not able to take baths as we do now. Yuck. She may have felt like she had been betrayed by God (if she knew of Him); like sad that this was the life she was destined to have. She may have wondered why and been depressed about her circumstances. She may have been resigned to her situation as she had to earn money for her family.
4. Read Joshua 2 and share anything that stands out to you. Share why.
I wonder who the person was who told the King about the men coming to spy on the land.
I am surprised how easily she believed these men that she didn’t know. Her faith in that God was intervening in her life is commendable, all because her people had heard stories of how the Lord saved His people from Egypt.
I sense you can identify with the confusion over God’s design, Laura!
3. What was it like to be Rahab? There are some who say she ran an inn, and really wasn’t a prostitute. Maybe she did run a legitimate business also, but the Bible is clear about selling herself. I can’t really wrap my mind around what life was like for her.
4. Joshua 2. I wanted to understand better who she was, so I read six different translations and their notes on her. All touched on the inn, and one described it as an ‘inn with favors’. It has always intrigued me that she had so much family she wanted to protect. Her society must not have looked on her as an outcast. She must have been somewhat well to do, to have a home/business. And how convenient to have it in the city wall with a window facing out. God must have kept the searchers and others from seeing the red cord hanging out her window. Seems like it would have aroused suspicion, especially since it was long enough to allow for escape. Or maybe she shortened it once they were to the ground. She didn’t wait to have it there, though. She was ready and waiting.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The provision of God was the first thing that jumped out at me, that God sees you Dee and in his kindness gave you a clear message of his care. I have a friend going through a prolonged season of difficulties, we’ve been on the watch for his provision along the way. We can get so caught up in the parts that are awful, that don’t make sense, that we forget to look for the good along the way.
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately?
I was annoyed with myself this morning, I woke up 30 minutes prior to my alarm but had not really begun to turn my attention to the Lord until just before my husband woke up. I can’t really concentrate unless I am alone so I felt like I had failed to use my time wisely, I had been impractical, and was feeling disappointed with my self.
I thought of the theme we’ve had at church lately of being small and childlike and the theme here on the blog of being loved in spite of our flaws. The enemy tells me how lame I am, I am pretty lame but I didn’t love my children more when they were practical, I shouldn’t believe that lie about God and how he feels about me. This led me to worship.
That’s good, Chris
Comparing how we love our kids unconditionally (though they and we are flawed) is a good reminder that God’s unconditional love is always there (and perfect). Good word.
1. Imagine what it would be like to be a prostitute in Jericho. Get into her shoes and feel the weight of her load.
Used, abused, looked down upon, poor, unwanted, feeling unloved. Held but not lovingly held. Then comes the gift of salvation.
Just be held by Casting Crowns
Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on
And when you’re tired of fighting
Chained by your control
There’s freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go
So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held
If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You’ll know I always have and I always will
And not a tear is wasted
In time, you’ll understand
I’m painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands
Lift your hands, lift your eyes In the storm is where you’ll find Me And where you are, I’ll hold your heart I’ll hold your heart Come to Me, find your rest In the arms of the God who won’t let go
2. Read Joshua 2 and share anything that stands out to you. Share why.
I can just imagine Rahab hearing of the coming Israelites. “Could it be?, she asked herself. My life is already messed up, how can it get worse? God of the Israelites, give me another chance. I want my life to matter. Surely there is more than this messed up life. I heard you have shown yourself big in the lives of these strangers. Show me how big you are in my life.”
The Casting Crowns song is a wonderful picture of how Rahab may have felt! That song is special to me…thanks for sharing those words this morning.
Lucy, you are welcome. I needed those words as well.
These words…”Everybody needs you strong, but life hits you out of nowhere and barely leaves you holding on.” They describe exactly where I’m at right now. Going through the motions of being “spiritually “ strong isn’t easy, but sometimes it’s what keeps my head above water. I hope that makes sense? I want to scream “NO, I’M NOT DOING WELL!” But then, everybody needs me strong. So, right now, I’m holding on and trying to keep my eyes on the cross. Thanks for sharing this Bing! (I hope it’s ok if I call you Bing, as I see everyone else does😊)
I meant to say, I’ll just be held, rather than holding on…sweet surrender.
Sharon, No I don’t mind being called Bing. That is my nickname and I go by that for the most part. My students even call me Bing LOL at times. I am so where you are at, Sharon. Some days I just want to run away from everything. I am still in a funk and I can not put a finger on it. But I know He is here and with me regardless of how I feel. I am reminding myself of Philippians 4:8.
Love this Casting Crowns song, Bing. This fits so well.
Dee, by the way, I love Sarah Groves rendition of It came upon the midnight clear. I can picture Rahab with the change of the beat and tempo. I see her standing and her past life flashing before her. And a peace settling in her heart as she anticipated the coming of the Israelites. And for me, and for us to look to the Greater Israelite, Jesus.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Oh, Dee. I hope your hand is healing well and that you are not in pain anymore. What struck me is your high pain threshold and feeling like a leper as you talked to the doctor. And then the wonderful blessing of finding out the doctor was a believer! Oh, there have been times I have felt a bit like a leper; that my mind is screaming “unclean” while outwardly all may have seemed calm.
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately?
I love much of the Christmas music. It often speaks to my heart in a way that other things do not. Like last week with “I Heard the Bells”. The you tube video that Laura shared on here was so wonderful. It is so good to remember that “God is NOT dead, nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail; the right prevail with peace on earth, good will toward men.”
Thanks Diane. I love those lyrics too!
3. Imagine what it would be like to be a prostitute in Jericho. Get into her shoes and feel the weight of her load.
I did some reading about what Jericho was like at the time of Rahab and found that it was in a state of decline…times were hard. I had always wondered why she was a prostitute even though the story mentions both her father and mother as well as extended family…my guess is that she was doing the only work open to her to help support the family. Then I imagined that in her work, she had the opportunity to overhear the “conversations of the day” which was how God Himself had delivered these Israelites out of bondage in Egypt and was leading them to their promised land! Those stories lit a fire in her heart that fed a growing faith! Oh God, I’d do anything to be on “that team”!
4. Read Joshua 2 and share anything that stands out to you. Share why.
I have often wondered why the 2 spies went to Rahab’s place to start with…assuming it was an easy place to engage with others without standing out…but it doesn’t “look good” to our religious hearts. Rahab’s absolute faith jumps off the page…she put all her trust in these 2 spies and took great personal risk to do so. And I have heard the scarlet thread mentioned as being connected with the tracing of the story of salvation from Genesis onward. But this morning I read that it was also reminiscent of the blood that had been applied to the doorposts at the first Passover that marked the beginning of Israel’s deliverance…how appropriate for Rahab! Rahab had great concern for her family and gathered them all together under her roof! Based on the later story of Boaz, his mother must have had a great influence on him!
You’ve made me open my imagination and think more, Lucy.
You’ve ‘wondered’ about things that went past me. I finally had time to come back and read this!
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? The story of your seeing the orthopedist, unknown to you – yet such evidence that God was showing you HIS love and faithful care. It can turn around one’s whole day and bring hope out of despair when God shows us glimpses of His sovereignty like that. It makes me think more of Him as the great conductor of our lives – He really does see each of us and know when and where He will reveal Himself a little bit more. I don’t like the phrase, ‘God showed up in a big way’ because I believe God is always there. He is always BIG. But he does choose to reveal Himself in big ways from time to time. (PS – I could feel your pain as you described your fear, after your accident with your hand, Dee. I would have felt those same anxieties for sure. It made me feel a sweep of relief to hear how God provided and how you felt His nearness.)
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately? Well, it’s not a big thing and yet, maybe it is. I felt so down yesterday afternoon. I know it’s the ‘holiday blues’ thing that hits every year. I go to our Advent worship times, which are so deeply meaningful for me and I hurt for my children who do not worship and do not find meaning in this season, other than closeness of friends and family. As I read Isaiah every year, I see the profound depth of darkness and how long the people have longed for a Messiah. Especially, since it took another 7,000? years for Jesus to come. And here we are – so privileged to live in a time when we know that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy and we know HIM and have such abundant resources to understand and yet….the Sunday blues hit again. And then other old tapes run in my mind (feelings of unworthiness) and I feel disheartened. And not needed. (that’s another story – feeling like I have no real purpose anymore, now that my kids are well into adult years and I don’t have a ‘job’ and something in church that made me second guess my place). I had just spent time with 4 of my 8 adult kids ( we have 4 kids, 3 spouses and my single daughter’s boyfriend ) on Saturday and it was lovely. And yet, on Sunday, I struggled. And then, into my funk, I got a phone call from my daughter-in- law who asked if I would like to do a community Christmas activity with my two youngest grandkids tonight. (this is the first year that we have grandkids living close to us so this is a new world for me!) Yes, I would like to do this! I had been throwing around in my mind a similar thing, but hadn’t come to a plan and here was the plan all ready for me. I felt instantly better after that call. I can get so insecure, even when from a rational standpoint, there isn’t anything to feel insecure about. But my security has to be in HIM.
Smiled at the call from your daughter-in-law
Wanda, I can relate to some of your struggles, like feeling “not needed….feeling like I have no real purpose anymore, now that my kids are well into adult years….”. Well, two of mine are well into adult years, and living pretty far away! I still have my daughter who is a senior in HS, but her college years are looming on the horizon. It is scary. I love being a mom and being needed! How wonderful that you got that phone call, and time with your DIL and grandkids!
Thank you, Susan. Yes, I’ve found it a struggle to take on changing roles. All okay, when there feels like there still IS a role, but I get insecure when I can’t see what the role is.
Hi Dee,
I was getting these emails until last week. Was so sad when didn’t get this study. I lived the study on Leah. Am goung to use it with my Bible study at the beginning of January. Love how she was not loved but so loved by God. Hoping it speaks to woman in our group going through a divorce. Our Bible study is actually about to finish the last chapter of He Calls you Beautiful. Has been a rich study for all of us, seeing God’s love for us and challenging us to live our husbands more.
Also after our families’ Thanksgiving dinner, we dinner the thankful questions from For the Beauty of the Earth. We just had such a blessed time of sharing together.
Thank you!!
Vicki Holland
PS. Oyr group lives your pickleball stories.
Vicki — if you would send me your e-mail address to comments@deebrestin.com I’ll put you on the list — not sure what happened. Sorry!
3. Imagine what it would be like to be a prostitute in Jericho. Get into her shoes and feel the weight of her load. I just can’t even…. to even begin to think of what she (and many others) lived through makes me physically sick and puts despair in my heart (God, have mercy). I don’t usually read fiction but recently read through two of Francine Rivers books (Voice in the Wind and As Sure As The Dawn) and she gave a very good picture of their lives as sexually abused slaves and prostitutes while not being especially explicit. I can’t imagine the daily onslaught to the heart and mind and body….
4. Read Joshua 2 and share anything that stands out to you. Share why. Rahab had already heard of and put faith in the Lord, for she had heard of His mighty works at the Red Sea and of the battle with the Ammorites. She and her family had fear when they heard of this God but when these men of God appeared at her door that fear turned to hope. And while she was cunning into being brought into the Lord’s favor (“a life for a life” v. 14) in the end she believed in God and His power – she had faith and God came to her and rescued her.
Francine Rivers includes Rahab in her series called The Lineage of Grace and Rahab’s story is called Unashamed. It is beautiful.
4. Share why.
Sometimes (ok, most times lately) I am so focused on giving thanks in the “hard” that I forget that God delights to give gifts to His children. I assume I am a slave child bearing up under my deserved mucky burden … but then He lifts my head and bestows a kiss from the King. Such was yesterday, my thoughts, ashamedly, were, “Of course God would come to Dee for she serves well and loves Him well but I am a slave child…” and then a beautiful Christmas miracle – a Kiss from the King and He reminds me that I am ‘not an orphan. I am a beloved child.’ Such I see myself in Rahab – she knew and believed but it was in fear until she was assured then it was hope. I know and believe but when I identify as a slave child it is believing in fear it is not until the Kiss, the gift that I switch to hope (and joy).
That is beautiful!
So good, Jill.
Monday
3. Imagine what it would be like to be a prostitute in Jericho. Get into her shoes and feel the weight of her load.
It’s hard for me to imagine…but I think it must of been a lonely life for her. Not really being loved or wanted but only used and having to maintain that lifestyle just to produce a livelihood for herself…how hard and burdensome!
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? – Oh my goodness Dee, if that wasn’t a God moment, WOW. I love how God can take ANYONE and cleanse us from our sins and use us in the way he has planned for us. We don’t have to be high in society for the Lord to see us. He will use the one that seeks him and loves him and trusts in HIM.
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately? – It’s hard to pinpoint one specific thing, but lately I would say it is in the caring concerns a couple of my co-workers have showed me. I had an MRI on Friday for my knee, and though I can’t read or understand all the medical terms, I do understand the words, vertical, tear, and meniscus. But these ladies have come to me to see how I’m doing and offered to get anything that I might need so I don’t have to walk around the office and be in more pain. Like Dee, I have a very high pain tolerance but lately the pain is much more noticeable. I’m thankful for the goodness and love these Ladies are showing me.
Sweet to hear that you have that caring support in your office, Julie. Heal well!
3. Imagine what it would be like to be a prostitute in Jericho. Get into her shoes and feel the weight of her load. – This is an even heavier load, because of the shame that must be felt being a prostitute. The finger pointing the whispering from others, being shunned because of your sinful nature and on top of that, trying to survive on your own. I know how hard it can be as a single parent, a single woman but to have these added circumstances would have to bring your spirits down I would imagine.
4. Read Joshua 2 and share anything that stands out to you. Share why. – We talked about this in church a few weeks ago, I think I need to read up on Rahab, she’s been popping up all over, Barnes & Noble tonight, I saw another book on Rahab, I have the Pearl in the Sand, which I think Dee, you may have recommended a while back. I will have to read it again. What was pointed out to us at church was that God knew that Rahab had lied and she was not being commended for it, but she was commended for the faith she had in God. She trusted God that the spies would agree to keep her and her family safe. She must have known, due to her circumstances, that she was not guaranteed anything. As a woman and a prostitute, they did not have to agree to anything, but she trusted the Lord that she would be safe along with her family, and because of what she did, she became part of the nation of Israel.
5. Read Joshua 2:1-7
A. Why do you godly men chose to hide at a prostitute’s house? – the note in my bible says that they probably stayed at Rahab’s because “it was good place to find out information and blend in with other travelers with no questions asked, and also, a house on the city wall was best for a quick escape in case they were discovered.”
B. What lie did Rahab tell? – She told the king of Jericho that the men had left already and she didn’t know where they went.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I am so amazed at how you, Dee, were led to Dr. Davis….the incredible surprise waiting for you there when you discovered that he was a believer and that this was God telling you that He was loving you and taking care of you! I’m so glad you didn’t go to a bigger city!
2. What is one way you have sensed the goodness or love of God lately?
I was a week late, putting up the Advent wreath and its candles because our past two weekends have been so busy (daughter in full swing swim season with meets). But this past Sunday evening, after dinner, I said to my daughter, let’s light the candles – tonight’s and last week’s. She being in high school, I wondered what she’d say, but she lingered and sat at the kitchen table with me. I said, “Let’s just read through Luke’s gospel, using The Message translation.” I read the first chapter, and she listened. I used a little flashlight so we could keep the lights out and enjoy the candlelight. Afterward, she said that reading The Message helped her understand. It brought back memories of all of my children and I reading together during Advent. I was so grateful that she wanted to, and afterward, I felt so full and thankful!
That’s lovely, Susan. I always remember what Augustine was told, the child of a believing mother and unbelieving father — that the child of so many prayers would not be lost.
1. What stood out
After reading Dee’s story with the doctor who cared for her hand my heart lept- I mean literally my heart started pounding and then happy tears. Dee, you have to include this in one of your books. This almost threw my heart out of rhythm. literally! 😉
My cheerleader, Rebecca. And it keeps happening Rebecca. The new gal from pb who came to Christ is an occupational therapist, helping me with my hand — and more — yes, in a book! 🙂
Oh..can’t wait to hear! I know it sounded cheesy about my heart rhythm but that is literally true. 🙂 Your books stir my heart and that is why I am one of your cheerleaders..well and I love you too..so that has something to do with it. 😉
2. How I have sensed his goodness lately.
I mis-handled a situation by overly worrying to the point of anxiety. I was thinking the same thoughts Dee did, “I am so unworthy of mercy, and i have flubbed this up by worrying first instead of trusting-he has probably turned his face away.” I felt like an orphan. Then God led me to sermon after sermon in a week’s time-and Dee’s blog-and every time it was the same message. That I am frail and sinful yet loved and because I am His He will never leave me. That God loves me even when I am not trusting Him and sinning by being anxious. So when I remembered I am worrying because I am not as I should be and that is my sin nature but He loves me and hasn’t abandoned me, I turned and repented..it melted me. So He freed me from my anxiety and I was able to really listen to Him and cling.
Oh that devil, telling us lies.
5. Read Joshua 2:1-7
A. Why do you godly men chose to hide at a prostitute’s house?
They probably didn’t want to be noticed and it was usual for strangers to be there.
B. What lie did Rahab tell?
She lied to to the king about the men leaving when really she hid them in her thatched roof.
6. Christians disagree on whether it is ever right to tell a lie. I listened to four sermons on Rahab and found men on both sides. I remember being flabbergasted when my son-in-law, whom I love, said he wouldn’t have hidden the Jews during the holocaust because it involved lying. Do you think it is ever right to lie? Why or why not? Support your answer scripturally if possible.
I suppose if you are lying to save a life it is different. However I am also a firm believer in the truth first, and God will take care of business for you.
I’m thinking of Daniel in the lions den and the three Jews who Nebuchadnezzar threw in the fire because they wouldn’t worship him.
“Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!””
Daniel 6:12-13, 16 ESV
http://bible.com/59/dan.6.12-13,16.esv
And,
“But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.””
Daniel 3:18-25 ESV
http://bible.com/59/dan.3.18-25.esv
7. Read Joshua 2:8-13
A. What did Rahab know about their God and how did she say she felt about him?
She knew their God had saved His people before and therefore she trusted Him.
B. Did fear have any part in bringing you to Christ? Explain.
No, but I think a small amount of fear keeps me coming back when I stray. I think to myself, what happens if I give up? I don’t want to go there…
3. Imagine what it would be like to be a prostitute in Jericho. Get into her shoes and feel the weight of her load.
I did a little reading about Biblical prostitution: it said that while prostitution was an accepted part of society, it was still a degrading and shameful profession. We have no idea what Rahab’s early life was like. I thought that many marriages back then were arranged; had there been no arrangement of a marriage for Rahab? Or, did she once have a husband and did something happen to him that left her alone? Did she not have her father’s house to return to for protection, or was she, for some reason, unwelcome there? She was left to support herself, and the only way she could was to sell her body to men. What must it felt like to be used for pleasure only, to be unloved, unseen, to have a “reputation” – everyone knew who she was, and what she was. What did she think when she saw women walking along with their husband and children? Why was she deprived of that? She had plenty of company, but in reality, was totally alone. The future would be really frightening….the reality that she would age and then not be able to earn a living….the prospect of disease….of dying all alone.
Just a little FYI….I need to go back and re-listen to the program, but yesterday on Chris Fabry Live, the widow of Eugene Peterson was the guest. I only heard a few snippets as I was out running errands, but she talked about the hundreds of cards she’s received, from people she doesn’t even know….you can go to the website for the radio program and go to past programs to listen!
Thanks for the tip, Susan!
I was listening to that as well Susan. She was such a loving wife. I should go back and listen to it so I can hear everything
What stands out to me?
The opening song: Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!
So much is said right there. It always thrills me to say those words.
2. One way I have sensed the goodness of God lately?
I have a God-given task, mentoring 2 ladies. God has placed them in my neighborhood and is blessing me in this endeavor. We are doing a study, In His Presence, spending time with God. Well, one is a baby Christian and this week we reviewed prayer needs and blessings. She has such a warm heart and always asks for prayers for others, though she suffers from anxiety and hurt. She is growing and it is a joy to observe. Do keep Debbie and Cheri in prayer as the world draws seekers in so many directions.
5. Read Joshua 2:1-7
A. Why do you godly men chose to hide at a prostitute’s house? I think they felt like they would most easily “blend in with the crowd” there and meet enough men of low character from whom they might get the information they wanted without attracting much attention. But…they were still recognized right away for who they were and what they wanted.
B. What lie did Rahab tell? She denied knowing where they were from and said that they had left the city as night was coming on.
6. Christians disagree on whether it is ever right to tell a lie. I listened to four sermons on Rahab and found men on both sides. I remember being flabbergasted when my son-in-law, whom I love, said he wouldn’t have hidden the Jews during the holocaust because it involved lying. Do you think it is ever right to lie? Why or why not? Support your answer scripturally if possible. Many times this year I have been struck by the fact that scriptures refer to the fact that men will “hide” their sins while God “covers” our sin. That started in the garden when Adam & Eve hid themselves and used fig leaves to hide their nakedness. God took an animal skin (implying a sacrifice) and made them a covering. Love covers a multitude of sins. The story in Joshua refers the reader to another story where a woman covered 2 men who were on their way to give counsel to King David that would protect him (2 Samuel 17:19).So, I think that God knows our motives and when love is the motivator and we are seeking to cover someone rather than hide something or “sweep it under the rug” then it is ok.
7. Read Joshua 2:8-13
A. What did Rahab know about their God and how did she say she felt about him? Rahab knew theirs was a God of deliverance and that He was the God of heaven and earth! She and the people of the land were so afraid that their hearts had melted and no courage remained in any of them. Although I would say Rahab exhibited a lot of courage!!
B. Did fear have any part in bringing you to Christ? Explain. My first response would be to say No…but thinking about it more I think fear probably plays a part for all of us. I grew up in the church, my father was a pastor and my parents were missionaries so I feel like I have always known and loved God. But, my faith became my own in young adulthood after a period of falling away and in that time I had a supernatural attraction to be in the Word…which had its convicting effect. But, I continually struggled to live up to my idea of what a good Christian should look like. It took coming to the place of fully knowing that I was not and never would be worthy before Christ could say…exactly! Worthy is the Lamb!! So, fear (?) of never being worthy drove me to He who alone is worthy!
Lucy, I LOVE your answer to if it is ever ok to lie! Thank you for that.
Great response to lying, Lucy. And, yes, Francine Rivers is a great resource.
Hiding vs. covering – profound. I really like that observation!
4. Joshua 2- What stands out to me is that Rahab has faith in God when there is so much fear! Verse 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. And she took action to keep the 2 men safe from their pursuers! Faith without works is dead!
5. Why do godly men choose to hide at a prostitutes’ house. Well, probably it was the only place that foreigners would be able to stay and get information?
B. The lie: She said, “I do not know where they came from.”
6. Well, telling a lie is wrong. However it sometimes is a necessity for safety. Scripture does show us this instance, and I think of women in abusive relationships who must keep their plans to escape safe and by going to a safe house, where confidentiality is given. Maybe this is not really a lie, though.
7. Rahab knew that God was capable of protecting his people. and she wanted to receive his favor, as she said, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family.
B.Did fear have any part in bringing you to Christ? Well, I think that I was drawn to Christ, as a Father-figure; for my Dad had died before I was old enough to know him, and I desired love and protection emotionally. I do not really consider that fear, however.
Monday
4. Read Joshua 2 and share anything that stands out to you. Share why.
What has always stood out to me in this story is the knowledge of God Rahab had. I can just imagine her excitement in speaking to the spies on her roof about their God and what He had done for them. Maybe it was a good reminder and encouragement to them as well. I know coming to this blog is an encouragement to me and also a reminder of how good God is…He is faithful!
5. Read Joshua 2:1-7
A. Why do you think godly men chose to hide at a prostitute’s house? I wondered this very thing as I read….how did they really end up there? There are so many details not included. However, the events and reasons also led the guards to come look for them at the prostitute’s house so it may have been more than “by chance.”
B. What lie did Rahab tell? She said she did not know where they were and that they had fled out of the city.
6. Christians disagree on whether it is ever right to tell a lie. Do you think it is ever right to lie? Why or why not? Every time this topic arises I think of The Hiding Place and the little girl telling the police there were Jews under the table (which indeed was the truth, the trapdoor was under a rug, under the table) and the police looked under the table superficially and saw no Jews and left. The Jews were saved despite the little girl telling the truth. I am not necessarily arguing for 100% honesty to the risk of others safety/life, but I do think that Christians will be convicted and God will work within that conviction. We have certain cultural and relational habits that include deceiving and it doesn’t bother most’s conscience.
The reason that ‘Don’t lie’ is in the Ten Commandments is to protect us from hurting others through our pursual of selfishness, it is to help us love people in our world, not just give us another box to check for righteousness. Love God, love people. I’m not arguing for lying, either, but we need to remember that the “why we do it” is more important than the “what we do.”
7. Read Joshua 2:8-13
A. What did Rahab know about their God and how did she say she felt about him? She knew about the works God had done. She said that “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.” They were afraid.
B. Did fear have any part in bringing you to Christ? Explain. Not really. I said the sinner’s prayer as a 6yo who thought it was merely another activity at VBS. Later I sought Christ because I saw the beauty of Him in my mother. As a college freshman I was baptized after hearing God tell me to do so. So fear wasn’t really a part of it. However, fear has been huge in my daily walk with Him. Fear of others and fear of Him “unfriending” me, even though I know that’s not how He operates really, I still fear His anger and displeasure as a child of His….
PS If anyone has access to the documentary called “Patterns of Evidence” it has an interesting segment on Jericho and Rahab. It is in RightNow Media.
Do you think it is ever right to lie? Why or why not? Support your answer scripturally if possible.
I think that the best reference for lying, when necessary to save the life of another, comes from James 4:17 (printed below.) If we know what is right (saving lives) and don’t do it, we sin. Yes, one could say we sinned by lying, but what is the greater sin? Allowing people to die? I think so. These other references I copied from a document on civil disobedience. I do believe that civil disobedience is warranted many times. I DO believe that those who hid Jews to save their lives during the Holocaust were doing God’s will and were absolutely right to lie to those who would otherwise have killed them. I just got done reading ‘Number the Stars’ by Lois Lowry, with my grandsons. Such an excellent book that – truthfully, but gently – helps children understand the horror of the Holocaust and the heroism of common people – this book is set in Denmark and is historical fiction, based on many facts and historical instances. In her ‘afterword’, Lowry explains that because of the courageous stance of one German official who saw the immorality of the Third Reich, in warning the Jewish leaders in the Danish-Jewish community, that they were about to be rounded up…..hundreds of Jews left in the night and escaped ‘into the arms of the Danes’ who protected them and ultimately hid them away in secret compartments in the bottom of fishing boats, and brought them safely across the water into Sweden. This would not have been possible were it not for lying to the German soldiers who were stationed on every corner in occupied Denmark and even in the countryside. The book also pays tribute to the hundreds of young resisters who carried out the secret missions – many of whom were executed by the Nazis. I think we as believers in the ultimate TRUTH of Jesus and the sacred value of human life, are called to obedience by protecting life. I don’t believe in violently destroying the takers of life (as in bombing abortion clinics etc) but DO feel it must be right to lie if necessary to save a life. I know that Bonhoeffer struggled against this greatly as he considered his mission and being a part of the assassination plot against Hitler. It was when he came to see Hitler as the very essence of evil itself, that he had peace in being a part of the conspiracy. I think that Acts 5:28, 29 – ‘obeying God rather than men’ is relevant. I also see the verses from Exodus 1:15-22 as a key to understanding. The Hebrew midwives obviously lied to save the lives of the male babies.
Acts 5:28-29 ESV
Saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men” and the lie of the Israelite midwives to save male children from death in Exodus 1: 15-22
Exodus 1:15-22 ESV
Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” …
James 4:17 ESV
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
5. Rahab must have offered to hide them. They most likely entered to listen to the locals talk, like a saloon in the western movie. Somewhere in there she knew they were in danger of getting caught. Then she told the soldiers they had left the city.
6. Telling a lie… I had some verses that talk about being responsible for what we know as being more than for what we don’t, and one from James where if we don’t do what we know we ought to, that is sin. She knew it was right to protect the men.
Lucy’s answer though rings much truer, that she was covering them and not excusing herself.
7.a. She knew about Egypt, Sihon and Og, and that God had promised the land to the Israelites. She knew God was unique and only. She knew she could ask Him for mercy. She says ‘our’ hearts sank and courage failed, but I don’t think she was really counting herself among them. If all she had was fear, where did the courage come from to hide the men and ask for mercy? There had to be some confidence to it.
b. Fear did not bring me to Christ. It was personal misery.
Tuesday
5. Read Joshua 2:1-7
A. Why do you think godly men chose to hide at a prostitue’s house?
I think it was God’s plan…firstly, I don’t think they knew she was a prostitue. Secondly, it was house strategically placed on an outside wall and thirdly, God knew Rahab had a heart ready to receive Him.
B. What lie did Rahab tell?
That the two men she had hidden were there earlier, she didn’t know where they were from, they left town at dusk, didn’t know where they went and if they hurried they could probably catch up with them.
6. Christians disagree on whether it is ever right to tell a lie. I listened to four sermons on Rahab and found men on both sides. I remember being flabbergasted when my son-in-law, whom I love, said he wouldn’t have hidden the Jews durning the holocaust because it involved lying. Do you think it is ever right to lie? Support your answer scripturally if possible.
I know I’m in the minority but I don’t think it’s ever right to lie as it is a sin. Proverbs 12:22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.” God could of rescued the spies in His own miraculous way, but because of Rahab’s lie, we missed an opportunity to see how. Did Rahab think it was the right thing to do in hiding these men, or did fear cause her to lie? God used Rahab in a mighty way. She wasn’t condemned in this passage for lying and I know she was forgiven. God is in control and however His divine providence is achieved is part of His will. But there are always consequences to sin.
7. Read Joshua 2:8-13
A. What did Rahab know about their God and how did she say she felt about Him?
She knew that God had given them the land, He dried up the water of the Red Sea when coming out of Egypt, and what happened to the two kings of the Amorites and how they destroyed them. She knew He was God in heaven above and on earth beneath. When hearing all this hearts melted and no courage remained in any man.
B. Did fear have any part in bringing you to Christ? Explain.
No. I had a very loving father who led me to the Lord.
Interesting discussion on lying. I am sure this ends up being a Roman 14 issue with person needing to give account to God for his actions.
Wednesday
8. Read Joshua 2:14-24
A. What promise did the spies make in verse 14?
That they would be kind to her when the Lord gives them the land.
B. What extra care for the spies do you see in Rahab?
She let them down by a scarlet rope through the window and told them to escape to the hill country and hide there for three days from the men searching for them and then when they’ve returned you can go on your way.
C. What would happen to any family who went outside the house? What symbolism to you see?
They would be killed. Just as we’re saved by faith through the blood of Jesus Christ…she and her family were saved by having faith they would be spared because of the scarlet rope.
D. To whom did the spies credit their success?
The Lord!
7. Read Joshua 2:8-13
A. What did Rahab know about their God and how did she say she felt about him?
I think she maybe feared God in both senses – being afraid of his judgement but also revering Him as she recalled that he had saved His people from drowning in the Red Sea. She was likely afraid of His judgement because of the outward nature of her immoral lifestyle. But really – I doubt that she was a prostitute by choice. Not many then – or now- are living that life because they want to but because they are controlled by sinful authoritarians (usually wicked men) or because they simply have no options to provide a living for themselves and/or their children. So, I’d like to believe that she saw GOD as a true Father – one who lovingly provided for His children. And also One who was Almighty and cause for fear. And I think that is a likely motive for why she risked her own life in hiding the men.
B. Did fear have any part in bringing you to Christ? Explain.
It depends on what is meant by ‘bringing me to Christ’. If by this, it is meant – the night I ‘prayed the prayer’ for the first time, then yes, it did. I was 9 years old at Bible Camp and had just heard a sermon about where I would spend eternity if I did not pray to receive Jesus. So my heart was pounding out of my chest and I knew I had to do that. I told the pastor straight up, ‘I want to be sure’. But, even then – I never felt that I ‘wasn’t his child already’. I had been taught the Bible from loving Christian parents and had never thought about not believing or accepting it. Knowing I have an evil heart like everyone else, it’s hard for me to say it, but there has never been a time when I didn’t know or trust Him. I’ve gotten angry or stubborn at times, but I’ve never rebelled or looked into anything other than the Word for how to live my life. From as far back as I can remember – a small child – I knew that Jesus was with me. ‘Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, close by me forever and love me I pray’….. Those hymns and carols were alive to me. I meant them. I knew Him. There was no fear in knowing Him from as long as I can remember. I think often the ‘pray the prayer’ is a bit of a manipulation of emotions. But the ‘living near to the God who has always been by your side’ is a matter of growing in love. I realize that this is part of the privilege that I was born into…..to have grown up in a home where my parents loved and nurtured me in the faith and the Word.
I love your description of growing up in a Godly home and the wonderful privilege it is. I think God longs for people to choose this privilege! I too grew up in a loving Christian home but due to my own fiercely independent nature and some life disappointments I chose to shut God out for a period of time and try things my own way! But God used that time to allow my faith to become my very own personal thing…it just could have been a lot easier if I hadn’t tried to do it myself!
Thanks for sharing your story, Lucy. Some of my children have walked away. It’s going on 15 – 18 years for them now. It’s the saddest thing in my life to be sure. Your story encourages.
I’m glad it encourages you! I probably went my own way for 6-7 years but God kept pulling me back to His word. I’ll pray for your children as I pray for my own who are also adrift.
5. Read Joshua 2:1-7
A. Why do you godly men chose to hide at a prostitute’s house? I read that in olden times, a prostitute’s house is a place for intelligence, reconnaissance. Although I would think that the spies went there to just blend in with the crowd.
B. What lie did Rahab tell? That the spies left and she did not know where they were from.
6. Do you think it is ever right to lie? Why or why not? Support your answer scripturally if possible.
Dee, I have to look up an explanation to this and found one from gospel coalition because I know we have to tell the truth. But I believe that there are certain occasions where a lie is to protect somebody just like Rahab had done.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/perplexing-passages-do-exodus-1-and-joshua-2-permit-christians-to-lie/
7. Read Joshua 2:8-13
A. What did Rahab know about their God and how did she say she felt about him? How God has brought the Israelites safe through dry Red Sea and defeated the kings. She believed that “the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens and earth.” And that they were afraid.
B. Did fear have any part in bringing you to Christ? Explain.
I was afraid to go to hell if I did not accept Christ. I was afraid of not pleasing others as well. My idolatry then did not stop God from calling me and saving me.
Good article, Bing. I tend to agree — I know God looks on the heart. Hebrew midwives is a good example.
Wednesday
9. Read Hebrews 11:31
A. For what two acts was Rahab commended in this verse?
Her faith and she gave a friendly welcome to the spies.
B. Can you share an experience of God leading you to welcome someone into your home that was risky for you? Why did you do it and what was the result?
I’ve never had an experience like this.
10. Read James 2:25 and share what you learn.
Rahab was justified by works when she received the spies as guests, protected them, and sent them away to escape by a different route. Her faith in God was made evident by her works.
6. Christians disagree on whether it is ever right to tell a lie. I listened to four sermons on Rahab and found men on both sides. I remember being flabbergasted when my son-in-law, whom I love, said he wouldn’t have hidden the Jews during the holocaust because it involved lying. Do you think it is ever right to lie? Why or why not? Support your answer scripturally if possible. – I understand why Rahab lied/covered up for the spies and I would probably do the same thing if someone I knew was in trouble at no fault of their own, but when we really get down to it, lying is a sin in they eyes of the Lord and everything I’ve seen in the concordance of my bible is pointing right back to us doing wrong and paying the consequences for it. If we lie, does that show to God that we don’t have faith in Him, that we don’t trust Him to handle the situation at hand, no matter how bad it is? Just some questions that I’m thinking of as I’m digging deeper in to research about lying.
7. Read Joshua 2:8-13
A. What did Rahab know about their God and how did she say she felt about him? – She knew of all the good things God had done for them and that he is the God of heaven above and God of the earth below. She said that their hearts melted and the courage failed because of what the spies did. But she called on the name of the Lord when she asked the spies to protect her and her family, so I think she trusted him and knew that she could cry out to him and he would listen to those cries.
B. Did fear have any part in bringing you to Christ? Explain. – I don’t think it was fear, but more amazement of what God had done in the life of the person who brought me to the Lord. He had had a rough life and was in prison and told his testimony of what happened while in prison and that he had seen a person in there talking to him (I think it was a chaplain) and when he had ask the guard if he could talk to the chaplain again, the guard said there was no chaplain in that prison at that specific time. He believes that God was with him in that cell at that time. He later got out of prison and started a ministry for over the road truck drivers. His story sent chills up my spine and I gave my life to the Lord that day.
6. Christians disagree on whether it is ever right to tell a lie. I listened to four sermons on Rahab and found men on both sides. I remember being flabbergasted when my son-in-law, whom I love, said he wouldn’t have hidden the Jews during the holocaust because it involved lying. Do you think it is ever right to lie? Why or why not? Support your answer scripturally if possible.
I think lying is a sin and scripture doesn’t condone it. I also think if we have to lie to save someone from oppression or injustice we should and trust God’s mercy and Grace in those situations. I think of Rahab but also the Hebrew midwives who lied to Pharoah and God rewarded them for disobeying Pharoah and fearing Him for they couldn’t kill the baby boys when they were born. I think of Corrie Ten Boom as well.
I am sure organizations such as IJM may have to engage in lying in order to get into the places they need to get into to rescue sex trafficking slaves. I think it is all in our heart, our motives. If we lie for selfish reasons..just to lie to get what we want, or to hurt someone else, etc.. of course God hates that. Just as equally bad as lying are hands that shed innocent blood. He hates both and KNOWS our heart motives.
8.a. The spies promised to treat Rahab and her family with kindness and faithfulness and save their lives.
b. Not only did she hide them, but she told them the state of people’s hearts, where to go to be safe and when they could go back across the Jordan.
c. Any person outside the house would be outside of protection and would be killed. It had to be a little counter intuitive, with her house being on the wall. Seems like that would be a less safe place to be. And just like in the Passover, the people needed to stay in to be safe.
d. The spies gave credit to God.
9.a. Rahab was commended for her faith as shone by her care of the spies.
b. When our adult son was living with us, he used to bring in the homeless and the down and out, people we hadn’t even met. It was never for more than a few hours and a meal. It was still hard for me. I wasn’t in control of even the invitation. At the same time, I was convicted for my fear and lack of love.
You raised quite a son!
8. The promise the spies had made to Rahab: “Our lives for your lives. We will treat you kindly and faithfully when God gives us the land.”
B. Rahab’s extra care: She gave carefull instructions of what they were to do; she instructed them to go to the hills and wait 3 days.
C. Any of the family who went outside the house, “his blood will be on his own head.”
Symbolism represents the disobedience that takes us away from God’s protection and allows us to be vulnerable to the dangers outside of His will.
D. The spies credited “The Lord has surely given us the whole land.”
9. Hebrews 11:31 Rahab welcomed the spies by faith, she was not disobedient in all of her actions.
B. A personal experience of welcoming someone into our home.
We had a very special experience quite a few years ago (before the cell phones!)
We live in western Massachusetts and border the Mass turnpike. A young man was driving west to his home in New York state on a college break when his older model truck quit. He came to our backyard and my husband assisted him and it was discovered that the engine had seized. When he called his father he told him to get a bus ticket and have the truck towed. My husband told him he could stay overnight at our home and he would take him to the bus terminal on his way to work. David stayed with us for dinner and slept on the sofa. Later we heard from his Christian parents of how grateful they were. When they came back to tow the truck, they took us out to dinner and we became penpals for many years!
10. James 2:25 Rahab was considered righteous because she put her faith to work and risked her own safety by helping the spies.
11.Matthew 1:5 tells us that Salmon was the father of Boaz and Rahab was his mother.
The obstacles he had to face were her nationality(not an Israelite) though beloved for her faith.
Her previous profession, being a prostitute carries so much weight, yet we know very little about her and how this came to be. Yet I see that her life changed greatly because of her faith and she must have been a shining light as she lived out her new life.
I see new Christians who have come out of terrible lives of addiction and sin and become vibrant Christians. So I can imagine Rahab’s changed life. God ordained this union!
Love that story, Shirley!
What a wonderful story, Shirley. I love that the young man’s parents were so relieved and appreciative. And that you continued the correspondence. (I wish I had done that)
A. What promise did the spies make in verse 14?
If Rahab did not tell on them they would spare her and deal kindly and faithfully with her.
B. What extra care for the spies do you see in Rahab?
Their vow to deal kindly and faithfully…used with word hesed that reflects God’s covenental love for His people. As a prostitute…that would be a mind blowing promise!
C. What would happen to any family who went outside the house?
If any of her family left the house then they were fair game and the promise was off.
What symbolism do you see?
This is what happened at Passover…they all had to remain in the house for the Lord’s promise of His “covering” to be in effect.
D. To whom did the spies credit their success? (24) To the Lord.
9. Read Hebrews 11:31
A. For what two acts was Rahab commended in this verse? For her faith and for welcoming the spies in peace.
B. Can you share an experience of God leading you to welcome someone into your home that was risky for you? Not in the sense Rahab did. But, as a family from the south I watched my Dad’s internal struggle to welcome a black son in law into our family. He was then a pastor and risked the disapproval of the church.
Why did you do it and what was the result? I’m sure he did it out of love for my sister. The result was healing of many of my Dad’s prejudices and my brother in law came to know Christ I think.
10. Read James 2:25 and share what you learn. We are never “saved” by our works but rather our salvation is seen by the world because of our works…Rahab must have decided Who she was going to put her faith in before the spies ever came as her actions in receiving them and sending them out by another way were evidence of her faith!
11. Read Matthew 1:5. Using your imagination, what obstacles might have Salmon had to overcome to marry Rahab? Salmon was 5 or 6 generations dOwn from Perez (Tamar’s son by Judah). I’m sure Tamar’s story was a family legend! At first that makes it seem like he might have had an easier time marrying a foreigner but then again…the Hebrew people were also still in the process of being freed from Egypt (and wandering in the wilderness for 40 years because of disobedience) and God had repeatedly warned His people not to marry the “people of the land”. But that warning was given to protect the people from introducing idolatry into their midst. God, and hopefully Salmon, saw Rahab’s heart for God and did not exclude her.
How do you think he did it? I wonder if he was one of the spies…and was intrigued by her boldness and her faith! After all, one was born before him whose name meant breach maker 🙂
I misread the question about how Rahab showed extra care for the spies and answered how they showed extra care for her…I think there was lots of extra care shown both ways 🙂
Love the story of your dad. How sad the church opposed it — how good of your dad.
Thanks for sharing the story, Lucy. Healing needs to start in the church.
I have an interracial family- what a blessing it is!
9. Read Hebrews 11:31
A. For what two acts was Rahab commended in this verse?
By faith. She welcomed the spies. And it infers that this was obedience. So, that says to me, it was God’s plan and she had a willing heart to obey.
B. Can you share an experience of God leading you to welcome someone into your home that was risky for you? Why did you do it and what was the result?
It’s kind of funny actually. My husband and I and 3 of our kids took a train trip from Minneapolis to Boston in 2003. We had a wedding to attend in MA and also wanted to sight see. Returning home on the train 9 days later (one overnight on the train each way and I don’t think I slept more than a few minutes) I was bone tired. We ended up sitting in different places on the train as it was completely full from Chicago to Minneapolis. My husband was many seats ahead of me and ended up chatting with the young man next to him. He was from Sweden and coming to Minnesota to see some relatives he’d never met and then take the train all the way to the west coast. He had no plan as to where to stay when he arrived in Minneapolis and he would take the bus the following day to Duluth to find his relatives. All a reasonable plan except that we arrived in Mnpls at 1 am. And there are no motels within walking distance. So, we drove him to a motel to check it out. He didn’t want to spend what it cost to stay there. We couldn’t just leave him. Well, we could have, but it didn’t seem like the right thing to do. So we asked if he would like to come home with us. (we live 45 minutes out of the city). I had no idea what my house would look like! My oldest, who was just 20 had been staying there while we were gone. And I would need to make up our hide a bed in the den and have to hang some kind of a curtain as the den had no doors at the time. And the next morning, I would have to get up really early to go to the grocery store and buy food for breakfast. So that’s what we did. Probably the biggest risk to me was the exhaustion! I guess we had figured out that he was likely ‘safe’ and he must have thought the same of us. I drove him around and showed him a few local spots (I live in an area that touts itself as ‘America’s Little Sweden’ !) and then, in the afternoon, I took him to a neighboring town so he could catch the bus. It was a very gratifying experience actually. He was very grateful. I told him, it was because of God’s love that I could extend a loving hand to him. I’m not sure how he accepted that word (which I likely said pretty haltingly, because that doesn’t flow naturally off my tongue), but he sent us a letter when he returned to Sweden and sent some pictures of his home and family. My bad. I didn’t keep corresponding with him. (just thought of this – that, maybe now – I could find him on social media) Anyway, we laugh about it and talk about the time we returned from vacation with a living souvenir of our trip. 😉
Your train trip experience sounds like a God thing! We never know what seeds are planted when we offer hospitality!
Great story, Wanda! Sweden is so liberal and far from God in general — wonderful to love him with the love of Christ.