S4 || A Woman with a Difficult Past in a Moral Dilemma:|| Joshua 2:1-24 || Session 4 || Verse by Verse Bible Study

The moral dilemmas we face can reveal profound spiritual truths when viewed through God's perspective. In today's compelling exploration of Joshua chapter 2, we unpack the fascinating story of Rahab – a Canaanite prostitute who makes the courageous choice to hide Israelite spies from her own government.

What happens when obeying authorities means condemning innocent people? When telling the truth leads to bloodshed? Through Rahab's story, we discover that ethical decisions aren't always black and white. Despite her deception, Rahab is later honored in Scripture's "Hall of Faith" and even appears in Jesus's genealogy. This provocative reality forces us to reconsider simplistic moral frameworks and recognize that protecting innocent life sometimes supersedes other moral imperatives.

Beyond ethics, Rahab's story reveals the unexpected ways God prepares hearts. Despite her pagan background, she demonstrates remarkable theological understanding: "The LORD your God is God in heaven above and earth beneath." Her testimony that all Jericho trembled at Israel's approach reminds us that sometimes our greatest obstacles are more afraid of us than we are of them.

The symbolic scarlet cord that marked Rahab's house beautifully parallels the Passover blood that protected the Israelites in Egypt. Just as her family needed only to remain inside the protected house, rather than fight to save themselves, we find salvation not through our own efforts but by being "in Christ." The cord's color wasn't coincidental—it foreshadows the blood of Jesus that offers protection to all who place their trust in him.

What moral dilemmas are you facing? How might God be working through unexpected people in your life? Join us as we continue our journey through Joshua next week when we'll witness the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and discover more about how God fulfills His promises to those who trust Him.

 Questions in this session: 

• Why was Jericho important?
• How should Rahab respond to an ethical dilemma?
• Can I lie to get myself out of a jam? 
• If I’ve been disobeying God in the past, how should I respond?
• Why is Rahab’s scarlet cord helpful to me today?

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