Joshua

Joshua 2: Rahab confesses the LORD is God

Begin in prayer

Before we hear Rahab confess the God who rules heaven and earth, let us pray for mercy. Ask the Lord to expose our excuses and help our family hear Christ's call to repent and believe.

You are the God who does wonders. You have made your strength known among the peoples.

Psalm 77:14

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us see Your rule over heaven and earth, and show us mercy in Jesus as we confess our sin. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Joshua sends two spies to Jericho, and Rahab hides them on her roof under stalks of flax. She lies to the king's messengers about where the men went. Rahab has heard how the LORD dried up the Red Sea and defeated two Amorite kings. She confesses that Israel's God rules heaven and earth, and asks that her family be spared. The spies give conditions for their oath, and Rahab ties the scarlet line in her window. The men return to Joshua and report that the LORD has delivered the land into their hands.

As you read Joshua 2, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD is God over heaven and earth, and He shows mercy to Rahab who turns to Him.

Joshua secretly sent two spies to view the land, including Jericho (verse 1). They came to the house of Rahab, a prostitute, and the king of Jericho heard that Israelite men were there (verses 1 and 2). Rahab hid the men under stalks of flax on her roof, and told the king's men they had already gone (verses 4 to 6). That was a lie, and the text reports her words without praising them. Hebrews 11 verse 31 and James 2 verse 25 praise her faith, shown when she welcomed the spies and sent them out another way. She had heard how the LORD dried up the Red Sea and how Israel defeated Sihon and Og (verses 9 and 10). Her heart melted, and she said that the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth beneath (verse 11). She asked the spies to swear by the LORD to save her father's house, and they promised (verses 12 to 14). The men told her to tie a scarlet line in the window and gather her family in the house (verse 18).

How does Joshua 2 show us that the LORD is God over heaven and earth, and that He shows mercy to Rahab who turns to Him?

The LORD is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

Rahab told the spies that the fear of Israel had fallen on her people (verse 9). They had heard how the LORD dried up the Red Sea and defeated Sihon and Og (verse 10). Rahab's own heart melted, and she said the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth beneath (verse 11).

Rahab asks the spies to spare her family.

Rahab asked the spies to deal kindly with her father's house and save her family alive (verses 12 and 13). The men promised, “Our life for yours”, if she kept their secret (verse 14). A woman of Jericho, born outside Israel, received the LORD's mercy. Matthew 1 verse 5 names Rahab in the family line of Jesus.

Rahab ties the scarlet line in the window.

The spies told Rahab to tie a scarlet line in the window and keep her family inside (verses 18 and 19). Whoever left the house would be on his own head, and whoever stayed would be safe (verse 19). Rahab trusted their promise, said, “Let it be as you have said”, and tied the line (verse 21).

Memorise

Yahweh your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.

Joshua 2:11

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, will I confess my sin and trust Jesus for mercy?

Rahab heard what the LORD had done, and she said, “he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.” She was a woman of Jericho, yet her name stands in the family line of Jesus (Matthew 1 verse 5). The LORD showed mercy to her, and He still shows mercy to sinners from every nation.

Rahab and Jericho were both sinners before a holy God. Jesus came for sinners, and at the cross He ransomed His people by His death. All that was needed for their rescue was done. The Father raised Him, and the grave could not keep Him.

Hebrews 11 verse 31 says Rahab did not perish with the disobedient, because she believed. So please turn from your sin and come to Jesus, and trust Him. Those who trust Him receive forgiveness, and He will not turn them away.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD showed mercy to Rahab, who trusted Him, and that lying is still wrong. Parents, please explain verse 1, which says what Rahab was, and verses 4 to 6, where she lied, in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He rules heaven and earth and shows mercy, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Many sorrows come to the wicked, but loving kindness shall surround him who trusts in Yahweh.

Psalm 32:10

Father, thank You that Your mercy reaches people with sinful pasts. We have lied and tried to hide our sin. Please grant repentance and faith in Jesus to each one here. Help us tell the truth this week and seek forgiveness from Him, rather than excuse what we have done. Amen.