Week Two

Joshua

Courageous Discipleship

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Director, Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries

Week 2

Rahab Hides the Spies - Joshua 2

Joshua 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

Outline:

• Staying in a Prostitute’s House (2:1) 
• Prostitutes and Baal Worship
• Rahab’s Faith in Hiding the Spies (2:2-11) 
• Rahab’s Faith (2:9-11) 
• Show Me Your Faith by Your Actions 
• A Trophy of Grace in Jesus’ Family Tree (Matthew 1:5-6) 
• Rahab’s Faith Praised (Hebrews 11:31)
• Faith Counted as Righteousness (James 2:25) 
• Rahab’s Deceitfulness (2:3-7) 
• The Ten Commandments 
• Swearing by the LORD (2:12)
• The Scarlet Cord (2:17-21)
• The Lord Has Given Us the Land (2:22-24) 
• Remarkable

Q1. (Joshua 2:1) What were the spies sent to learn? Why do you think they sought to lodge in a prostitute’s house? Do you think God sent them there?

Q2. (Joshua 2:2-11) What indicates that Rahab believes in Israel’s God Yahweh? What does she believe about Yahweh? How deep is Rahab's faith? How deep a faith does someone need to have in order to be saved from the destruction of a city? From eternal punishment?

Q3. (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:5; Matthew 1:5) Why is a prostitute honored by being mentioned three times in the New Testament? How does God look on prostitution? On prostitutes? How did Jesus treat prostitutes? What does this teach us about God's attitude toward sinners and sin?

Q4. (Joshua 2:4-6) Does God honor Rahab for lying to the king's men? Is her lying

justified in this case? Is there ever a time it might be permissible to lie?