RAHAB THE PROSTITUTE (2)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Rahab & the spies
(Text: Joshua 2:1-24)
1. What is the text all about?
a) Was Rahab justified in lying to save the lives of the spies? Although the Bible does not speak negatively about her life, it is clear that lying is sin. In Hebrews 11:31, however, Rahab is commended for her faith in God. Her life is not mentioned. Several explanations have been offered:
@1. God forgave Rahab's lie because of her faith;
@2. Rahab was simply deceiving the enemy, a normal and acceptable practice in wartime;
@3. because Rahab was not a Jew, she could not be held responsible for keeping the moral standards set forth in God's law.
@4. Rahab broke a lesser principle - telling the truth - to uphold a higher principle - protecting God's people.
b) There may have been another way to save the lives of the Israelite spies. But under the pressure of the moment, Rahab had to make a choice. Most of us will face dilemmas at one time or another. We may feel that there is no perfect solution to our problem. Fortunately, God does not demand that our judgment be perfect in all situations. He simply asks us to put our trust in him and to do the best we know how. Rahab did that and was commended for her faith.
c) Flax was harvested in the fields and piled high on the rooftops to dry. It was then made into yarn which was used to make linen cloth. Flax grows to a height of three or four feet. Stacked on the roof, it made an excellent place for the spies.
d) Many would assume that Rahab - a heathen, a Canaanite, and a prostitute - would never be interested in God. Yet Rahab was willing to risk everything she had for a God she barely knew. We must not gauge a person's interest in God by his or her background, life-style, or appearance. We should let nothing get in the way of our telling people about God.
e) Rahab recognized something that many of the Israelites did not - the God of heaven is not an ordinary god! He is all-powerful. The people of Jericho were afraid because they had heard the news of God's extraordinary power in defeating the armies across the Jordan River. Today we can worship this same powerful miracle-working God. He is powerful enough to destroy mighty, wicked armies, as he did in Jericho. He is also powerful enough to save us from certain death, as he did with Rahab.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Rahab & the spies
(Text: Joshua 2:1-24)
1. What is the text all about?
a) Was Rahab justified in lying to save the lives of the spies? Although the Bible does not speak negatively about her life, it is clear that lying is sin. In Hebrews 11:31, however, Rahab is commended for her faith in God. Her life is not mentioned. Several explanations have been offered:
@1. God forgave Rahab's lie because of her faith;
@2. Rahab was simply deceiving the enemy, a normal and acceptable practice in wartime;
@3. because Rahab was not a Jew, she could not be held responsible for keeping the moral standards set forth in God's law.
@4. Rahab broke a lesser principle - telling the truth - to uphold a higher principle - protecting God's people.
b) There may have been another way to save the lives of the Israelite spies. But under the pressure of the moment, Rahab had to make a choice. Most of us will face dilemmas at one time or another. We may feel that there is no perfect solution to our problem. Fortunately, God does not demand that our judgment be perfect in all situations. He simply asks us to put our trust in him and to do the best we know how. Rahab did that and was commended for her faith.
c) Flax was harvested in the fields and piled high on the rooftops to dry. It was then made into yarn which was used to make linen cloth. Flax grows to a height of three or four feet. Stacked on the roof, it made an excellent place for the spies.
d) Many would assume that Rahab - a heathen, a Canaanite, and a prostitute - would never be interested in God. Yet Rahab was willing to risk everything she had for a God she barely knew. We must not gauge a person's interest in God by his or her background, life-style, or appearance. We should let nothing get in the way of our telling people about God.
e) Rahab recognized something that many of the Israelites did not - the God of heaven is not an ordinary god! He is all-powerful. The people of Jericho were afraid because they had heard the news of God's extraordinary power in defeating the armies across the Jordan River. Today we can worship this same powerful miracle-working God. He is powerful enough to destroy mighty, wicked armies, as he did in Jericho. He is also powerful enough to save us from certain death, as he did with Rahab.
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