How does Rahab's action in Joshua 2:3 demonstrate faith and courage? Setting the Scene in Jericho • Jericho is on full military alert; the city gates are shut tight (Joshua 2:1, 5). • Word reaches the king that Israelite spies have entered Rahab’s home. • Joshua 2:3: “So the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab and said, ‘Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the whole land.’” • At this moment Rahab must choose sides—her own king or the God of Israel. A Split-Second Choice Reveals Faith • Rahab hides the spies on her roof before the officials arrive (2:4, 6). • Her decision is anchored in what she has already heard: – She knows the LORD “dried up the waters of the Red Sea” (2:10). – She has learned that “the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below” (2:11). • Hebrews 11:31 affirms this moment: “By faith Rahab the prostitute, because she welcomed the spies in peace, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” • Faith is more than silent agreement; it acts—even when the cost is high. Courage Shown in Three Risky Steps 1. Defying Royal Authority • Refusing a direct order from her own king carried the death penalty. 2. Harboring Enemy Agents • She aligns herself with outsiders, taking on the label “traitor” inside Jericho. 3. Trusting an Unseen Outcome • She stakes her future on God’s promise, not on Jericho’s walls or soldiers. Why Her Action Was True Courage • Courage is not absence of fear; it is doing what is right while afraid (cf. Joshua 1:9). • Rahab’s social position offered little protection; yet she steps forward anyway. • James 2:25: “In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another route?” • Her bravery includes moral courage (choosing God’s side) and physical courage (risking her life). Faith, Works, and the Character of God • Rahab’s faith embraces God’s power and mercy simultaneously: – She believes God will judge Canaan. – She believes He will spare those who seek refuge in Him. • Her works confirm her faith, illustrating that genuine belief expresses itself in tangible choices (Ephesians 2:10). Takeaway for Believers Today • God honors those who trust Him over earthly powers, even when the stakes are high (Proverbs 29:25). • Courageous faith may require confronting cultural or governmental pressure. • Like Rahab, believers can be confident that the Lord preserves those who take refuge in Him (Psalm 46:1–2). |
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