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A Scarlet Rope
(Joshua 2:1-24)
Yearly Theme: “Kindness is… Action”
Series Title: “Kindness in the Land”
March 5th, 2023

Something to think about:

As we begin a new series today entitled “Kindness in the Land,” we will be exploring the exploits of the Israelites after they entered the Promised Land. One of the first narratives that we will be exploring is in Joshua 2, and a woman named Rahab. Rahab, as we will see, is one of the most unlikely of characters to help the Israelites.

One of the first cities that the Israelites come to in the Promised Land was the city of Jericho. Being a rather large city, Joshua sends two spies into the city to scout it out and bring back a report. While in the city, the two spies encounter a woman (a prostitute) by the name of Rahab, whose dwelling is inside of the city wall. Requesting cover and safe passage, the two spies take cover in Rahab’s home while being pursued by the King of Jericho. Rather than turn them over to the king, Rahab promises them safe passage if they will spare her and her family when they come to take the city. The spies assure her of this and she sends them out her window and down the city wall to safety.

Rahab confessed to the spies that she and the people of the city knew that GOD was with them. She confessed that the stories of their escaping the Egyptians through the Red Sea, and GOD’s miracles in sustaining them in their wilderness wanderings, had preceded them. In her holy fear of GOD, and her faith in Him, Rahab became a household name in Israelite history. A hero of the faith and an ancestor of Jesus, Rahab stands as a testimony of what GOD can do through the most unlikely of people.

Let’s take a closer look at her story today:

Here’s the takeaway:

Key Point: “GOD’s kindness is sometimes shown through the most unlikely of people.”

· All the people inhabiting Jericho were to be laid to _____, but because of her faith in GOD Rahab and her family were ______.

Hebrews 11:31 (NLT), It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

· As evidence of Rahab’s _____ __ _____, she protected the Israelite spies who came into the city.

James 2:25-26 (NLT), 25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

· Because of Rahab’s holy ____ and _________ for GOD, her future was radically altered for the better.

Matthew 1:5 (NLT), Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.

Something to take home:

It’s been said that if you “feed your faith then doubt will starve to death,” and I believe there is a lot of truth in that. What you feed is what ultimately grows!

Where is your faith? What do you have faith in? Who do you have faith in? These are questions that we all have to answer.

The faith that pleases GOD is not blind faith, but faith rooted in the assurance of what we hope for and evidence of things not seen.[1] GOD proves Himself to us over and over and over. Everything in creation points to Him as Creator. We stand without excuse before GOD, and must come to Him in faith.

Rahab believed, do you? It’s because of her faith and belief that she is counted among the faithful cloud of witnesses. And oh how kind and loving GOD is that He can draw even the most unlikely of people into fellowship with Him, and can extend His kindness through them to others. What a mighty GOD we serve!

Key Point: “GOD’s kindness is sometimes shown through the most unlikely of people.”


[1] Hebrews 11:1-2.

WITH A GROUP

1. What was the purpose of the scarlet cord? What makes the scarlet cord a fitting symbol for salvation? Why was it able to save Rahab and her family?


2. What’s your impression of Rahab in verses 8-16? Is she a traitor or a heroine? How might Rahab have learned these things about God? What do these verses reveal about the ancient world?


3. Given her disreputable occupation and her obvious lie, what in this story builds Rahab’s reputation as a woman of faith (see Hebrews 11:30-31: James 2:24-26)? How do you react to Rahab’s joining the Israelites after the fall of Jericho and apparently becoming an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-5)?

IN YOURSELF

Have you ever been scared to do something that you knew was right?


In what specific ways do Christian values today differ from the
standards of our modern culture?


What is one Christian value that you feel you need to take a stand on to be a more effective witness for Christ?


What does this passage teach us about the kind of people God uses to accomplish His purposes?


How could you demonstrate thankfulness to God today for His
faithfulness in your life?


What is one small risk you think God might want you to take in sharing your faith or standing up for what is right?

WITH YOUR FAMILY

MEMORY VERSE
Joshua 2:11
“And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath”




ACTIVITY:
Escape Plan:

Do you know what to do in an emergency?
Have you talked with your family about what to do in case of a fire?
Talk about possible escape routes from your home or discuss fire drills that are performed at school. Maybe even stage a family fire drill.

Talk about the plan the spies had for Rahab when Israel would
conquer the city. Talk about the future. We know God “wins,” so what plans have the students made in case of a spiritual
emergency?

GO into the world

APPLICATION

As you are out and about this week, challenge yourself to notice the people you interact with. Most of those working in the service industry wear name tags to help identify themselves. Waitresses, gas station attendants, nurses, bus drivers, and cashiers are all people with whom God has orchestrated your paths to cross.

Once you notice them call them by their name. Notice their reaction to such a personal greeting. You may be the only Jesus they ever
encounter. How do you want to reflect HIM to others?

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