FAITH || Lesson 16 

FAITH

Text:  Hebrews 11

Lesson Sixteen – V.31

Examples of the ancients who were commended for their faith: (Cont’d.)

RAHAB: V.31 – By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

The prostitute Rahab – As a result of Jesus’ ministry, other prostitutes and sinners were commended for their faith.  See Matthew 21:28-32 – (V.31-32 – ³¹“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.  ³²For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.)

See Luke 7:36-50.  (V.50 – Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”)

Let us thank the Lord for “purifying our hearts by faith” (Acts 15:9b).  Note: Ephesians 1:7-8 – ⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

Ephesians 2:4-5 – ⁴But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved.

Because she welcomed the spies – Note James 2:25 – In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

Was not killed with those who were disobedient – Moreover, Rahab was blessed with the high honor of being included in the genealogy of Jesus.  Matthew 1:5 – Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

Let us thank the Lord for the high honor of being His children.  Romans 8:16-17 – ¹⁶The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  ¹⁷Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

See Joshua 2; 6:17, 22-25.

(Joshua 2:4-7) – These verses are about the lie told to the king’s messengers.  Note that Rahab was not yet a part of the “people of God.”

Let us thank the Lord that, under the “better covenant,” being “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,” better things are required of us.  Note:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Ephesians 4:22-25 – ²²You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Colossians 3:9-10 – ⁹Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Revelation 21:8 – But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

(Joshua 2:9) – … I know – Let us thank the Lord for using this to direct us to Hebrews 10:35 – So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

Note:  Job 19:25 – I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

2 Timothy 1:12 – That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

(Joshua 2:12-13) – Contained herein is Rahab’s request for the sparing of her life and the lives of her family.

Let us thank the Lord for utilizing this in leading us to Philippians 4:6-7 – ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(Joshua 2:15) – … the city wall – Note the following instance of a city wall being used as a means of escape for Paul.

Acts 9:25 – But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

2 Corinthians 11:32-33 – ³²In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.  ³³But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.

(Joshua 6:22-25) – This is the account of the sparing of the lives of Rahab and her family. 

See Acts 16:29-34 for a New Testament example of the salvation of a family.

Let us thank the Lord that He is stirring us to intensify our prayers for the salvation of our families.