Here are the notes I gave out for this weeks Women's Bible Study. We discussed Rahab. In-between the notes, I filled in the historical background and other information for us to study and think about. If you missed it, I hope you can make the next one.
Basic Stories with Rahab are found in Joshua chapters 2 & 6. (See “The Message” version attached.) Rahab and the two spies are the main characters in Joshua 2.
By reading the story, it is very clear what Rahab's occupation was. Rahab was a prostitute. If you pay attention to the stories, you will find that where she was located was not only geographically on the edge of her society, but morally as well. Her house was located on the wall of the city and was strategically placed to lodge travelers. Basically during this day and time, it was another way for people to make money off of all of the people that would come in and out of the cities.
I, personally, think it was very strategic that they picked a home that had an access to the outside in which they WOULD NOT have to go through the gates of the city. If they had stayed in another place, they may not have had another way out of the city in a time of distress. I also think that this was another step in the large plan of things we could have NEVER seen coming. If you do the research and look it up, she actually was an ancestor of Jesus (*She was Boaz’ Mother). Can you imagine that. Think about it; Her faith brought her into an incredible inheritance. She went from being a prostitute to the linage of Jesus Christ. Now if that is not what true faith can do then I don’t know what is.
We can always ask the question of why did the spies choose her home to stay in and look at it that way, but what if we ask the opposite question? Why do you think she helped them? It was a very dangerous thing for her to choose to do. By hiding the spies she faced the risk of being killed if caught by the authorities. Clearly by the way she spoke, she had heard of the God of Israel and acted in faith in that God. However Rahab knew it would take a step of faith to get her out of her present circumstances.
I cannot imagine she was happy in the roll she was living, no one would be. I think that was not her only motivation…I am sure she did not want to perish with the rest of Jericho. Basically, she knew that if she did nothing - this would lead to her and her family’s destruction. But, remember this, God’s word is clear that “no one can serve two masters”. She could not take and be self serving and have true faith in God as well. She made a conscious decision to act in faith on what she heard about God. No matter your stand in life, irrespective of where you are or who you are, a simply step of faith in Jesus Christ can turn your destiny around.
Rahab made it very clear that she was not just interested in saving herself. She wanted her entire family to be saved. What does this tell you about Rahab? How many of us can say that about our lives today. I know that the circumstances may not be the same, but I still want all of my family to be SAVED! To me this showed her real heart. No matter what she was doing in her life to survive the times, her family was still most important to her.
Questions
Are you praying for the salvation of others?
What do we have to do to remain under the protection of God?
What have you heard (read or listened to) from the word of God recently that has encouraged and strengthened your faith?