She Chose Jehovah Over Her Own People

IN A house on the wall of ancient Jericho, there lived a prostitute named Rahab. From her window, she could look outside this “city of the palm trees” and see the sun-drenched landscape. (Deut. 34:3) But as she walked about inside the city, she saw gloom and fear on every face. The residents knew that Jehovah was with his people, Israel, but that they themselves were to be destroyed. And they deserved it.

The nation of Israel was encamped nearby. Forty years earlier, Jehovah had saved his people by destroying the army of Pharaoh, drowning them all in the Red Sea. More recently, Jehovah had given his people​—mere wanderers in the desert—​resounding victories over the powerful Amorite kingdoms of Sihon and Og. Now they were coming to Jericho, directed by Jehovah to bring punishment on those people for all their wicked deeds!

Rahab knew that her people were wicked. She may have yearned for something better than her degrading life as a prostitute. What she learned about Jehovah filled her, not with dread, but with hope. Here was a God who protected his people and dignified them, unlike the pagan gods of Canaan. She was drawn to this God, Jehovah, who was clean, just, and protective.

One night, two strangers came to her door, seeking lodging for the night. Keen-eyed Rahab soon discerned who they were​—Israelite spies! And she was not the only one who realized who they were. The king of Jericho sent men to her door, demanding that the spies be brought out of her house. Rahab was faced with a decision that would change her life. Would she defend her wicked city or take sides with Jehovah?

Rahab courageously chose Jehovah. She hid the spies on her roof and then misdirected the king’s men. After they left, she went up to the roof and told the Israelite men why she had saved them. “I do know that Jehovah will give you the land.” She had put faith in their God! She revealed to them this encouraging truth: The men of Jericho were weak with fear of Israel. And she begged the spies for protection when Jehovah had Israel destroy the city.

Rahab had saved the lives of the spies, and they saw that she had stood up for Jehovah. They agreed to do as she asked. Rahab and her family would be spared. She would have to keep the spies’ location secret, hang a scarlet cord from her window in the wall of the city, and stay inside her house during the battle. Thus, she and her household would be kept safe.

Rahab helped the spies escape the city by means of a rope from her window. Then she did exactly as they had directed. She tied a scarlet cord in her window. And she courageously kept the spies’ mission a secret. She surely risked a terrible death if the men of her city found out what she had done. Obediently, she kept her family inside the house. When Jehovah stopped up the Jordan River so that Israel could cross, Rahab no doubt felt even more sure that she had made the right decision. As the army of Israel marched around the city for seven days, the tension within those city walls must have been severe. Finally, on the seventh day, when the horns blew and the Israelites shouted, Rahab and her family huddled safely in the house​—and the walls fell flat!

After the battle, the spies led Rahab and her family outside. Her house was located on the one part of the wall that was left standing. As Joshua had directed, the lives of Rahab and her family were saved. In time, Rahab was welcomed into the nation. She married an Israelite man and had children. From her family line, centuries later, came the most courageous man who ever lived​—Jesus Christ. (Matt. 1:5, 16) Jehovah had generously blessed Rahab for her faith and courage.

Read the Bible account:

• Joshua 2:1-24; 5:1; 6:14-25

• Hebrews 11:30, 31

• James 2:24, 25

For discussion:

In what ways did Rahab show courage?

Dig Deeper

1. 1. Describe what life was like for Rahab in Jericho. (w13 11/1 12 ¶4–13 ¶1)

   Your answer

2. 2. How do we know that the spies did not stay at Rahab’s house for immoral purposes? (it “Prostitute” ¶16)

   Your answer

3. 3. Why were rows of flax laid on Rahab’s roof, and what was flax used for? (it “Flax” ¶2-4) A

   Your answer

   

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4. 4. Why was it not wrong for Rahab to mislead the king’s men? (w04 12/1 9 ¶1) B

   Your answer

   

Reflect on the Lessons

• Why did Rahab need courage to abandon her immoral life and worship Jehovah with the Israelites? What can Bible students learn from her example?

  Your answer

• In what other ways might you imitate Rahab’s courage?

  Your answer

Meditate on the Bigger Picture

• What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

  Your answer

• How does this account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?

  Your answer

• What would I like to ask Rahab in the resurrection?

  Your answer

Learn More

What does the account of Rahab teach us about how to survive the coming day of Jehovah?

“Where Should You Be When the End Comes?” (w09 5/15 6-8)

Use this illustrated Bible story to help your children to visualize the events of this account.

“Rahab Follows Instructions” (ijwis article 11)