How does Rahab's story connect to Hebrews 11:31 about faith? Hebrews 11:31 in Focus “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.” Rahab’s World in Joshua 2 • Jericho was slated for judgment; its walls embodied human defiance against the living God (Joshua 2:1). • Rahab, though a Canaanite and a prostitute, had heard of the Red Sea crossing and the defeat of Sihon and Og (Joshua 2:9–10). • Her confession: “For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.” (Joshua 2:11). What Rahab Believed • God’s sovereignty: She acknowledged the LORD as the true God, rejecting Jericho’s idols. • God’s coming judgment: She took seriously the reports of Israel’s victories and the imminent fall of her city. • God’s mercy: She trusted He would spare all who sought refuge under His covenant promise. Faith Expressed in Action James 2:25 links Rahab with Abraham as proof that genuine belief produces works: • She hid the spies at personal risk (Joshua 2:4). • She lied to protect them—not commended for falsehood, but for risking her own life in allegiance to God’s people. • She bound the scarlet cord, a visible sign of trust, much like the Passover blood (Joshua 2:18, 21). • She gathered her family into her house, urging them to share her faith (Joshua 2:13). The Outcome God Granted • Rahab and her family alone were spared when Jericho fell (Joshua 6:17, 22–23). • She was brought “outside the camp of Israel,” then received in (Joshua 6:25), picturing how Gentiles enter God’s covenant community by faith (Ephesians 2:12–13). Rahab’s Ongoing Legacy • She became the great-great-grandmother of David and an ancestor of the Messiah (Matthew 1:5). • Her life confirms that “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). • Her inclusion in Hebrews 11 underscores that salvation has always been by faith, not nationality, pedigree, or personal merit (Romans 4:5). Key Faith Lessons • Hearing truth demands a response; Rahab acted before the walls fell. • Faith unites allegiance to God with tangible obedience. • No past or social label can bar anyone who turns to the Lord for mercy. • God weaves redeemed sinners into His redemptive plan, displaying grace for generations. |
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