TOPIC – Rahab: An Unlikely Ally

MEMORY VERSE: “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” – Hebrews 11:31 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Joshua 2:1-6, 12-13

Joshua 2:1-6:
2 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.

3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:

5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.

6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.

Joshua 2:12-13:
12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token:

13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

INTRODUCTION:
The story of rehab is one of the thought-provoking accounts in the Bible. The occasion that projected her into the hall of fame is that of a great faith in the GOD of Israel whom she knew almost nothing about.

She rose from being a harlot to a joint heir in the Abrahamic covenant and eventually got a space in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Her life gives us a deeper insight into what God can do with the life of every sinner who comes to Him.

LESSON OUTLINES

HER CHARACTER
ACHIEVEMENTS AND LESSONS FROM HER LIFE

1. HER CHARACTER

Rehab, in Hebrew, means “wide.” She lived in the 12th century B.C. She was a canaanite harlot who lived in Jericho City (Joshua 2:5). She rented rooms to travelers and visitors who came into the city. This explains why the two spies sent by Joshua found lodging in our house.

Her character is that of a selfless woman who saved her household with a negotiation skills (Joshua 2:12-13).

She knew what to do with the information at her disposal. Rahab asked the two Israel spies to swear by the Lord thereby showing her faith in the only true God. She was smart enough to know that her city would be overthrown. In her wisdom she joined herself to the winning side (Joshua 2:9-10).

2. ACHIEVEMENTS AND LESSONS FROM HER LIFE

ACHIEVEMENTS
She skillfully hid the spies to prevent the king of Jericho from capturing and executing them (Joshua 2:6). this act of kindness earned her salvation from destruction (Joshua 6:25). She believed all the stories about the God of Israel even without seeing them (Joshua 2:10)

Rahab was a skillful negotiator who selflessly made the spies swear to spare her and her household (Joshua 2:13). The book of Hebrews name her among Faith heroes in the Old Testament (Hebrews 11:31). James records her has been justified by works (James 2:25). Matthew list her in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5)

LESSONS FROM HER LIFE
Rahab stepped out of her harlotry into faith in God. So, anyone can change from bad to good (Isaiah 1:18). We should show kindness to people, just as Rahab did to the spies (Galatians 6:10).

She walked by Faith and not by sight (Joshua 2:9-12). We also are expected to walk by Faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). Just as she ensured the safety of her household (Joshua 2:18-21), every child of God should ensure the salvation of his/her family (Acts 16:31).

Furthermore, she was diligent enough to follow instructions (Joshua 2:18; 6:22-23). Likewise, believers must carefully follow the right instruction (Proverbs 4:13).

CONCLUSION
Rahab is a typical example of God’s transformative power do not write yourself or anyone off.

QUESTION

Mention three characters that stood Rahab out.
Identify three lessons that can be learnt from the life of Rahab.

RCCG Sunday School HYMN

O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

Action Point

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