EXPLORE THE TEXT
We can be assured of God’s work in our lives by regularly reflecting on what He has done in the past.
17 The men said to her,
“We will be free from this oath you made us swear,
18 unless, when we enter the land,
you tie this scarlet cord to the window
through which you let us down.
Bring your father, mother, brothers, and all your father’s family into your house.
19 If anyone goes out the doors of your house,
his death will be his own fault, and we will be innocent.
But if anyone with you in the house should be harmed,
his death will be our fault.
20 And if you report our mission,
we are free from the oath you made us swear.”
21 “Let it be as you say,” she replied,
and she sent them away.
After they had gone, she tied the scarlet cord to the window.
The spies gave Rahab some vital instructions.
If she did not follow these instructions,
then they would no longer be obligated to the oath they had sworn to her.
First, they told her to tie a scarlet cord to the window through which they were escaping.
It was to show the Israelites what household’s inhabitants they were to spare in their assault.
It is reminiscent of the blood that was placed on the doorframes of the Israelites
and the spared lives of the Israelite firstborn in Egypt during the tenth plague. .
Second, Rahab needed to bring her family into the house and make sure they stayed there.
If any of her family members failed to stay within,
then the spies would not be responsible for their deaths. .Third, if Rahab should betray the spies by reporting their mission to the authorities in Jericho,
they would be released from the oath they made. (PSG, pp. 25-26)
Believers can trust God to work in their lives as they walk in faith before Him.
God used Rahab, an imperfect person,
to accomplish His plans for His people.
He still uses imperfect people today.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 27 of the Personal Study Guide:
Guide the group to discuss the first question set on page 27 of the PSG. Talk about how both Rahab and the spies encouraged one another to trust in God. Allow adults to discuss why it’s important for them to encourage each other to pursue God’s grace as well.
Direct adults to read and reflect on the second question set on page 27 of the PSG during the week. Challenge them to share an example of God’s grace in their lives with at least two people this week.
Close in prayer, thanking God for His faithfulness to work in and through us. Thank Him especially for the grace received because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sin.
During the week, text Hebrews 11:31 (the memory verse for this session) to the group. Lead them to consider how they are stepping out in faith or displaying faith in God this week. Encourage them to share any opportunities they had to share God’s grace with someone else as noted in the “Challenge” activity.
Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God. (See 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Titus 2:11-14.)
Focus on a key word to gain a better understanding of a biblical text.
Look up the word “kindness” (Hebrew hesed) in a Bible dictionary (Josh. 2:12). What special significance does this term have in the Old Testament? Read Exodus 15:13 and 2 Samuel 16:17 where the term is used. How did Rahab show loyalty to the spies? How did the spies demonstrate loyalty to her?