INTRODUCTION #9
1. Open your bibles to James 2:25&26. Let’s read these two verses, “25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
2. The example of Rahab is introduced by James to prove that pleasing God demands both faith and works and not just one with out the other.
(1) The story of Rahab is recorded in Joshua 2. We will turn and study that passage in a few moments.
(2) James says Rahab was justified in the same way as Abraham. Let’s read James 2:21-24 and remind our self that Abraham became justified after his faith was demonstrated by works. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”
3. The selection of Abraham and Rahab as examples is quite interesting and very important.
(1) Abraham was a very religious and honored servant of God.
(2) Rahab was from the lowest ranks of society. Rahab, as a prostitute, was practicing something of disgust to God.
4. The greater majority in the religious world argue against the teaching that James gives about the necessity of both faith and works in order to be saved from their past sins and then the necessity of faith and works for also those who are children of God.
(1) Those who argue that “faith only” is acceptable to God say that Abraham demonstrated works after he was already a servant of God, but such demonstration is not required of one is not yet a servant of God.
(2) They use this line of argument to teach that one does not have to be baptized to be saved. They teach that baptism and other works of obedience are required after one is saved, but not in order for one to be saved. They teach that the “works of Abraham” were done by him after he was already a servant of God and not done by him to become a servant or child of God.
(3) James uses the example of Rahab, who was not a Jew, nor was she already a saved servant of God. However, James teaches that for her to become a “justified” servant of God “works” were demanded of her by God.
(4) Baptism was not a command to be obeyed back under the time that Rahab lived, but if it had of been then Rahab would have been required to be baptized in order for her to become “justified” before God.
5. If you have not been baptized according to the commands of the N. T., as we study things from the bible about Rahab you will learn that it is important that you soon obey what will save you of your past sins.
6. Let’s begin to observe additional passages that give us information about Rahab.
DISCUSSION
I. FIRST, JOSHUA 2:1-24 PROVIDES US WITH THE DETAILS ABOUT RAHAB AND “THE FAITH AND WORKS” THAT JAMES IS GIVING HER CREDIT FOR DEMONSTRATING, THAT ALLOWED HER TO BECOME “JUSTIFIED”.
1. Let’s read and make a few comments from Joshua 2:1-24, “1 Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.”
3 So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.” 4 Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.” 6 (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.)
[It is a fact that Rahab lied to those who came looking for the spies. Some have thought that her example of lying shows that if the reason is good reason, telling a lie is acceptable to God. God did not approve of Rahab’s lie. God never approves of a lie. Let’s ask, then, what made Rahab acceptable to God, in spite of telling the lie?
Rahab was justified because she had faith in the overall purpose of God. Rahab began to understand that God was all powerful, as she thought about what God had been doing to the other nations and how that God was showing favor to the Israelite nation. Rahab was also justified because her faith took action to help the spies as she though about the purpose of God being greater and more important than the purpose of the king of Jericho. She was not justified because she lied, but in spite of it.]
7 Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate. 8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: “I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 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.
[Here, Rahab expresses her faith in words. As she hid the spies and sent them out another way Rahab was expressing her faith through works. Others in Jericho had the same knowledge that Rahab did, but they did not demonstrate any “working faith” like Rahab demonstrated. As a result of their negligence, later they were destroyed, but Rahab was saved.]
12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, 13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.”
[Again, Rahab expressed her faith in the future victory for God’s people and pleaded with the spies to not only save her, but to also save her family. Evangelism is at work through Rahab. We all should do our very best to work toward saving our family.]
15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. 16 And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.”
[Rahab layed out a wise plan of escape for the spies and then sent them on their way. We will say more about the “escape rope” a little later.]
17 So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, 18 unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. 19 So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.”
[God’s grace was going to be available for Rahab and her family. However, grace for Rahab was not available for Rahab without conditions. James chapter two and multitudes of other passages in the bible teach that God’s grace of salvation is never “a completely free gift” without conditions. What were the Conditions for Rahab?
Condition #1 = Rahab had to bind the line of scarlet cord in the widow that the men had escaped from.
Condition #2 = Rahab had to bring her father, mother, brothers and all her father’s household to her home.
Condition #3 = Rahab was to demand that no one go outside of her house during the fighting.
Condition #4 = Rahab could not tell the business of the spies.
This is a very important passage of scripture to teach us about the grace of God. God’s grace was manifested over and over back in the O. T., but like with Rahab, it always had conditions that had to be met, before one would receive God’s grace.
The same is true today pertaining to grace spoken of in the N. T. Conditions must always be met before we will receive God’s grace.]
21 Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.” [Rahab made sure she took care of that very important condition. We will say more about this scarlet cord in a few moments.]
22 They departed and went to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but did not find them. 23 So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them. 24 And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.”
2. Let’s turn to Joshua 6:21-25. Here, we will be able to read about the grace of God becoming a reality for Rahab and her family after that she and the spies had met the conditions to keep both sides of the agreement.
(1) Let’s read Joshua 6:21-25 and make a few comments. “21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword. 22 But Joshua had said to the two men who had spied out the country, “Go into the harlot’s house, and from there bring out the woman and all that she has, as you swore to her.” 23 And the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and all that she had. So they brought out all her relatives and left them outside the camp of Israel. 24 But they burned the city and all that was in it with fire. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD. 25 And Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.”
(2) Notice this last verse stating that Rahab and her family and all her material belongings were spared “because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.”
3. Turn now to Hebrews 11:31. This verse gives the same reason that Joshua 6:25 and James 2:25 do for Rahab being spared. Let’s read Heb. 11:31, “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”
(1) The very fact that Rahab is listed in Heb.11:31, among many other faithful O. T. characters, let’s us know that she is a part of the group from the O. T. that will be in heaven.
(2) Rahab is an encouraging example to all people who find themselves living very sinful lives, but then decide that they want to start living for God.
(3) Rahab is one among many bible characters that remind us that no matter how sinful a life we find our self living, that if we will obey God’s conditions for salvation, then we can be saved.
III. THIRD, MATT. 1:1-6 REPORT TO US THAT RAHAB IS LISTED IN THE GENALOGY OF JESUS, GOD’S SON!
1. Let’s read Matt. 1:1-6 & show Rahab’s place in the lineage of the Son of God. “1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: 2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king.
2. The woman Rahab, that was privileged to be the great, great grandmother of King David and in the lineage of the Son of God did not have a beginning relationship with God anything equal to Abraham’s relationship.
(1) Rahab was a woman, a Gentile, and a prostitute. Abraham was a moral man; she was an immoral woman.
(2) Abraham was a noble Chaldean; Rahab was a degraded Canaanite.
(3) Abraham was a great leader; Rahab was a common citizen. Abraham was at the top of the social-economic order; Rahab was at the bottom.
(4) Yet Rahab, the harlot, is listed along with Abraham in the great Hebrews 11 chapter of the bible that gives the names of many O. T. characters that will be in heaven. Heb. 11:8, 17 & 31.
3. Rahab, like Abraham, however, was not perfect. Rahab’s way of making a living was despicable and her lying was sinful. She was not honored by the Lord for either.
(1) Rahab had been born into and been raised in a debauched pagan society that the Lord was about to destroy, in which lying and all sorts of gross sin were the normal way for the ungodly.
(2) But when Rahab had opportunity to demonstrate her faith in the Lord, she placed her life on the line. Had her actions been discovered by the king, she and her family would have been executed for treason.
(3) In God’s boundless grace, God accepted her trust in Him and her service to Him, rescued her family, and used her for His own divine purposes, causing her to become a model of faith and an ancestor of the Messiah.
4. Abraham’s and Rahab’s justification by works was not demonstrated by their just saying that they had faith.
(1) In both cases it was demonstrated by putting everything that was dear to them on the line for the Lord, entrusting it to Him without qualification or reservation.
(2) They were supremely committed to the Lord, whatever the cost. For Abraham it was going to be the death of his son Isaac. For Rahab it was to be the sudden death of herself and her family, if the king had found out about her assistance to the spies.
(3) Long before Jesus’ crucifixion, Abraham and Rahab were willing to take up their crosses, as it were, figuratively speaking, and follow Christ (Mark 8:34). They loved their own privileges in this life much less than what they knew that God would provide for them if they would faithfully obey Him.
5. Let me pause now mention the condition stated that most denominational preachers give when some one ask what to do to be saved.
(1) Most denominational preachers give the following condition: “Just believe on the Lord, say a little prayer, ask Jesus to come into your heart and be saved”! Does that sound like something that James and other writers of the N. T. tell us?
(2) I have never read a statement like that in the N. T. However, we all can read the conditions that Jesus and other writers of the N. T. giving us, that tell us to believe (John 8:24), repent (Luke 13:3), confess (Matt. 10:32) and be baptized (Mark 16:16).
6. But now let me ask those who have obeyed the N. T. plan of salvation a few questions:
(1) “Is there any comfort in what James has been teaching us for one who has been baptized, and yet who has backslid and who who is not faithful and regular in attendance?”
(2) “For one who is not trying to teach others?” “For one who is self-centered and not concerned about the needs of others?” “For one who is living like the world?”
CONCLUSION
1. Earlier in the lesson, on a couple of occasions, we said that we would make it a point to say more about the “red string” that Rahab hung out the window of her house.
(1) God may not have meant for the “red string”, to have had any application for those of us living under the N. T.
(2) However, the fact that “the string was red” and the fact that the house with “the red string” was the only house that was saved reminds me of the blood of Jesus and the fact that it is only through the blood of Jesus that we can be saved.
2. Turn to 1 Pet. 1:18&19. This passage teaches that it is only the “precious blood of the sinless Christ” that is worthy enough to pay and redeem us from our sins. Let’s read 1 Peter 1:18&19. “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
3. Just as their were conditions for Rahab and her family before the “red string hanging out the window” would do them any good, there are also conditions you must meet before the blood of Christ will do you any good.
4. Rev. 1:5 tells us in no uncertain terms that “the what of salvation” is the blood of Jesus: “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood”.
5. “The what” of salvation is “the blood of Jesus”.
(1) But when does the bible say that the blood of Jesus will wash our sins away?
(2) Acts 22:16 teaches us that our sins will be washed away when one who believes, repents and confesses that they believe that Jesus is the Son of God and will obey the command of baptism.
Acts 22:16 says, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
3. What ever your need is, please come as we stand and sing!
Acknowledgments for a lot of thoughts in the development of all the sermons on the book of James are to go to:
(1) Bob Winton CD Commentary on Matthew 27:50-54. 464 Ridgewood Drive Manchester, Tennessee 37355. If interested in CD covering many O. T. & N.T. books call (866) 753-8456.
(2) Miscellaneous commentaries by numerous others.
