Joshua 2:1-15 THE GREAT ESCAPE Intro: Ill. When the spies arrived in Jericho, they entered into what everyone thought was a harlot's house. However, when they entered Rahab's house, they found a woman who had already been touched by the Spirit and power of God. I. RAHAB'S CONDITION BEFORE GOD v. 1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
A. She Was Defiled – Ill. A Harlot, living in a lost, pagan city. Eph. 2:3; Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Rom. 3:10-12 (Ill. 4 Roman Nones); 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. B. She Was Dead – Rahab spiritually was devoid of life. She was dead in her sins. Eph. 2:1; And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 1 John 3:14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. (Ill. This is a spiritual death, not a physical death and spiritual death always ends in the Second Death, Rom. 6:23;) C. She Was Doomed – As a resident of Jericho, Rahab had a death sentence hanging over here head. She had already been judged by the Lord and she didn't even know it! Ill. John 3:18; He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Ill. Sentence has been passed and the judgment has been set, Psa. 9:17; The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. 2 Thes. 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2. RAHAB’S CONFRONTATION WITH GOD And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
(a) Rahab was CONVICTED BY THE SPIRIT 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. in Acts 8 the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch and in Acts 10 the salvation of Cornelius.
(b) Rahab was CONVINCED BY THE WORD 2:21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
TRUE BIBLICAL FAITH IS ALWAYS A RESPONSE TO THE TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD. Rom 10:17 “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
WE MUST NOT BELIEVE IT UNLESS IT IS SO….and we know it IS SO because THE WORD OF GOD SAYS IT IS SO. (c) Rahab was CLEANSED FROM SIN BY THE BLOOD Joshua 2:17-18 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. 18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee. THE SCARLET THREAD IN JERICHO WAS NEEDED BECAUSE 1. DESTRUCTION WAS COMING. [2:2-13]
2. DELIVERANCE WAS AVAILABLE [17-21]
Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
3. DECISION WAS DEMANDED 21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
3. RAHAB'S CONFESSION OF GOD A. What She Confessed – v. 9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 1. She confessed the Existence Of God "I know" 2. The Excellence Of God "the LORD hath given you the land" 3. The Exactness Of God 11 for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. B. What She Claimed – v. 12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token: 13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. Rahab claimed salvation by faith. Hers Was :- 1. Saving Faith 2. Singular Faith 3. Steadfast Faith 4. Self-denying Faith 5. Sympathizing Faith 6. Sanctifying Faith "Oh, gift of gifts! Oh, grace of faith! My God, how can it be That Thou, Who hast discerning love, Shouldst give that gift to me!How many hearts Thou might’st have had, More worthy, Lord, than mine! How many souls more worthy far, Of that pure touch of Thine! Ah, Grace! Into the most unlikely hearts, It is Thy boast to come, The glory of thy light to find, In darkest spots a home! Thy choice, O God of goodness, then I lovingly adore! Oh, give me grace to keep Thy grace, And grace to long for more!" 4. RAHAB'S CONVERSION TO GOD v. 14 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. A. Proven By Her New Labours – Rahab proved that she was a new creature by hiding the spies and by helping them to escape. B. Proven By Her New Love – 6:22-25) - 22 But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. 23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. C. Proven By Her New Life – 6:25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. Ill. Some of the changes – Descriptions; Desires; Devotions; Delights; Destinations!)
