It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky. 5. A woodpecker's tongue actually wraps all the way around its brain, protecting it from damage when it's hammering into a tree. This time around, instead of sending a group of spies to scout out the land, Joshua sent only two. Rahab was a resident of Jericho, who sheltered two spies whom Joshua had sent to scout out the city. Pretty much everyone is interested in space, so this is always a good fact to . Rahabs faith in God engrafted her into a new family. Rahab hid the Israelite spies before they crossed the Jordan River. In return, the spies make a vow to protect Rahab and her family when they invade Jericho. One of the most important stories in the Bible is the story of the 12 spies. 6. What I admire so much about Rahab is that she took the reckless route. That note on having kids, I thought the same too but then God brought to remembrance the many women that he blessed with children in old age. When we put our trust in God, He will always keep His promises. We see this played out throughout history, and it continues to happen today. Did you know that Rahab is one of the most celebrated women in the Bible? 4. The most remarkable deed of Rahab was actually telling a lie, to protect two spies of Joshua. How very beautiful to think that it is a scarlet cord of the covenant of God's grace that binds all of the Word of God together. When we read the story of Rahab we assume that she was a Canaanite. The story of Rahab is a powerful reminder of Gods love and grace. The Great Wall of China is not actually visible from space. Download our free Rahab Bible Study pdf worksheets and join us! Rahabs story is also told in Joshua chapter two. 3. Three presidents, all Founding FathersJohn Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroedied on July 4. Grit, abandon, and surrender. She Was "Declared Righteous by Works". Definitely look into the Midrash! This is a misunderstanding of Gods grace. Believers can glean from Rahab's life as she was a woman of faith, courage, and love. While I dont support this viewpoint, it was fascinating to get a glimpse of what life may have been like for Rahab, not only as she lived behind the walls of Jericho, but later when she was integrated into the Israelites camp. What has been your experience? She found God and she ran to Him and He gave her an entirely new identity. What did it take to convince her entire family they would be better off living in a whorehouse? First, this story teaches us that God is faithful to His promises. Abraham met with God at the city gate of Hebron (Genesis 18:1), and when Moses wanted to meet with God, he had to go outside the camp and wait by the city gate (Exodus 33:7). But there was no hanky-panky between Rahab and the spies, she had been able to see through their disguise and knew there was a greater force at work. When scripture mentions Rahab, she's almost always called Rahab the harlot except in Matthew's genealogy. He is the ultimate judge of character, and He can redeem even the most unlikely people for His purposes. Rahab found God, ran to Him, and didn't let ANYTHING keep her back. Rahab married Salmon and had a son named Boaz. complete lack of inhibition or restraint. She trusted that God would see beyond what everyone else saw and choose to save her over all the people in Jericho. Interesting facts about cats. She is remembered for the remarkable transformation. It's also known as the "bleu, blanc, rouge", which means "blue, white, red". When they entered the wilderness they crossed the water of the Red Sea, That Miracle made the inhabitants of the land melt. Lobsters have bladders on either side of their heads, so they communicate by urinating at each other. Find a digital copy of the Rahab study here. But reading your article I find that there are some ADDITIONAL things I needed to know. Scholars disagree on whether it was 1406 BC or 1250 BC. The Wall of Jericho was a fortified wall that surrounded the ancient city of Jericho. If you wish to use an image or any other content of this blog, contact connect@lotanner.com prior to using the content. It also demonstrates that even when things seem hopeless, we can trust that God is in control and He will always help us achieve victory. Thank you for catching that! She KNEW the life she had been living was a lie and she was desperate to find the truth. God is so amazing! Baby flamingos are born grey, not pink. [23] While they are hibernating, bears do not urinate. You can choose to have the faith of Rahab. As a result, when Jericho is conquered, Rahab and her family are spared. A shrimp's heart is located in its head. It is interesting to note that Matthew is the only biblical writer to tell us that Rahab was the mother-in-law of Ruth. to move into the home of a harlot in order to save their lives. Rahab is mentioned in both the Old Testament and New Testament, and her story is an example of Gods grace and redemption. Now, theres no pretty way to translate it, the word refers to a whore or someone who has behaved wantonly and committed adultery. On the contrary, dogs bob their head up and down when chasing prey. The color scarlet was often associated with sin and judgment in the Bible, but in this case it represented Rahabs faith in God and her willingness to protect His people. Its not the tree that stands out, but the stories attached to it, each pointing to the faithfulness of God and His love for us. What made her do that? Esther is one of only two books in the Bible named after a woman. 8. The biblical story, however, suggests a . Courageous Rahab was courageous, as she hid the spies and lied to the kings soldiers. Rahab recognized the God of Israel. The scarlet cord was used by Rahab to indicate to the Israelite spies which house belonged to her and her family so that they would not be harmed when the city of Jericho was destroyed (Joshua 2:18-19). When the Israelite spies came to her city, she could have easily turned them over to the authorities. Second, this story teaches us that God is a God of justice. Rahab became a member of the Israelite community. So if youre feeling like youre not good enough or youve made too many mistakes, remember Rahabs story and know that there is always hope with God. She is not remembered for her sin. Below is a list of common discussion questions for the story of Rahab and Joshua 2 Bible study questions. Judah married a Canaanite woman named Shua. It means not fighting in our own physical strength but instead; trusting and leaning into Gods might. There was a time when these descriptions were 100% accurate. Their bodies convert waste into protein. And in Hebrews, Rahab is held up as an example of someone who had faith, even though she was not part of the people of Israel. She knew what she wanted for her life and she had to remain focused on it. Of course, the Canaanites were infamous for cultic prostitution related to idolatrous worship. Some, like Welsh, are only spoken by less than 20% of a single region or country's population. 2. You can keep digging and learning about Rahab and how the event of her life point to the hope of the gospel in the full Rahab Bible Study book! In exchange for her good deeds, the Israelite spies promised that IF Rahab was alive when they returned and IF she kept the scarlet rope (which they used to escape that night) hanging from her window when the Israelites invaded Jericho, Rahab and those in her home would be kept safe. But instead, she protected them and helped them escape. This content may contain affiliate links. Read the fullaffiliate disclosure. Rahab - Lockyer's All the Women of the Bible - Bible Gateway Read the Bible Reading Plans Advanced Search Available Versions Audio Bibles Study Tools Scripture Engagement More Resources Explore More Newsletters Devotionals Bible Gateway App Bible Audio App Bible Gateway Blog Bible Gateway Plus Store Bibles Deals More Belief Rahab believed in Gods promise of salvation, even before she had seen any evidence of it. Whereas many Bible passages in both the Old and the New Testament indicate that lying is sinful, 1 critics of the inspiration of the Bible contend that the biblical teaching on this subject is contradictory. And in Christ Jesus, the blood-stained crimson cross of shame became the gleaming symbol of salvation. Rahab was a courageous woman who lived in Jericho just before the Israelites invaded Canaan [1493 BC or 2553 years after Creation]. Interested in digging deeper? Moses birth place was Egypt and the names of his parents were Amran and Jochebed. She had to decide what she believed about God. Your honesty and cooperation are greatly appreciated. I imagine that being a harlot in Jericho was a life that came with its own stigma. Rahab (or Rachab) the wife of Salmon, is mentioned in the genealogy in Matthew 1:5. When the Israelites were about to invade Jericho, Rahab helped two spies escape from the city and hid them from the authorities. I love how beautifully these lyrics reflect that. Of all the things Rahab left behind, I bet this was the one she was most happy to let go of. Why Do We Need to Be Crucified with Christ? But there came a pivotal moment in the story of the Ancient Near East when Gods judgment came to the unrepentant peoples of Canaan, fulfilling the covenant made with the Patriarchs. Even without her intervention, their victory was sure. Kind Rahab showed kindness to strangers, even when it was not safe to do so. Because of her faith, she and her family were spared from the total destruction of Jericho. Its evident in Joshua 2:8-11 that Rahab has little to no confidence in the life shes been living and the gods her people worship. Alaska is both the most western and most eastern state in the United States. Third, this story teaches us about Gods mercy and grace. "When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below" (Joshua 2:11). Moonquakes. [23] Joshua 2:1-24 #AllinAugust pic.twitter.com/QdFkTkkfYX. Interesting facts and fun facts that educate, entertain, and amaze yourself. But there's more to the story of Rahab so much more. The Bible used the word harlot not only to refer to prostitutes but also to anyone who worshipped idolsthose who prostitutedthemselves before pagan gods. She exercised it. But more importantly, it may give you a desire to revisit the book of Exodus to experience once again the wondrous things God did on behalf of His people. Rahab helped the spies escape over the city wall with the aid of a crimson cord lowered through her window, but not before the spies told her that she needed to hang that same scarlet cord in her window when they invaded. He promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky, and He kept that promise by sending them into the Promised Land. The first time is mentioned in Joshua 2:4-7 when soldiers came to her door demanding she brings the spies to them. The scarlet cord is a reminder that even those who are considered sinners can be forgiven and have a place in Gods kingdom. What if she had had an unrealistic impression of her own strength? Do you have the courage to stay the course? The story of Rahab and the spies would have been very different if she hadnt been a quick thinker. It portrays a lack of commitment or diligence; sometimes to a task and other times towards a person or relationship. Both Deuteronomy and Leviticus record detestable practices of life and worship (including sexual perversions) that were the norm for Canaanite peoples. Prostitution was probably not Rahab's first choice for a profession. The city was well fortified and had high walls, so the Israelites could not just march in and take it. This is the type of commitment we were called to have as women following Jesus. Righteous Rahab was righteous, as evidenced by her later conversion to faith in God. Sexual sin was deeply embedded in Canaanite culture. So, while city gates served many purposes in Bible times, their most important function was as a place where people could meet with God. This leads us to Rahabs real shining moment;the role she played in helping the Israelites conquer Jericho. No matter the hairstyle and no matter the thickness, the average human being has around 100,000 hairs growing on their head at any one time. A Biblical prostitute or just an innkeeper? You probably have more hair than you think. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); My Goal Is to Inspire You and Help You Have Fun Serving Our Lord - Have Fun Greg, 11/22 I added a New Feature - There will be a JLT Video Video that you can play - It will Show Lesson in Caption Form - If you turn on your sound it will Read it to You -I will have all added by 3/23 - God Bless Greg, 12/22 I have added a New Feature - Where applicable I will add a Quiz - to sharpen your knowledge going forward as we do lessons - Feel Free to Use it as you Like - Have Fun Greg, 1/12/23 I Have Added a New Category - Bible Verses on - The Topic We are Covering Will Now have a List of Associated Bible Verses - Enjoy, 2/17/2023 I Have Added a New Feature Each Lesson will Have a Unique Facts Page about the Topic - Enjoy Greg, 2/10/2023 I have Begun a New Series of Lessons - "What does the Bible Say About" I am Working Through Major Topics in Bakers Illustrated Bible Dictionary - for my Topics (Adding 30 Topics / Month} - Feel free to use - Greg, Leading Missionary Teams for 40 Years"Where Their is No Vision - The People Perish" KJVProverbs 29:18" As Iron Sharpens Iron - So One Person Sharpens Another"Proverbs 27:17"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses,the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Whatever Rahab was before Israel crossed into the land of the Canaanites she became someone new in the promised land. Your email address will not be published. The fact that Rahab was willing to risk her life to help the Israelites shows that she had faith in their God. Either that or they seem to be such perfect paragons of virtue (like Hannah who prayed when she was provoked instead of punching her aggressor in the face). Wouldnt the Father ensure a pure lineage for His Son? (NIV) Hebrews 11:31. So here we are 40 years later, a new generation of Israelites (with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, none of the Israelites from the previous generation were still alive). pic.twitter.com/X8oPHr9usC Tami Dooms (@TamiDooms) August 6, 2022, Tonights living by faith example is Rahab, who expressed her faith in the living God: the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. (Joshua 2:11). Rahab is a harlot or prostitute living in Jericho, a Canaanite city. Gigi Hadid gets candid about parenting Khai. He has composed and performed original music for five albums. The spies are taken in by a woman named Rahab, who hides them from the authorities and helps them escape. 3. Rahabs story is a reminder that anyone can be used by God, no matter their background or station in life. Second, Rahab specifically mentions her father and mother in her conversation with the spies. The Gideons International in Canada employs 32 people and has an annual budget of $8 million. Rehab became a central strategic figure of incomparable courage as she helped Israel to enter the promised land and subdue her own people. What are the 9 Admirable Characteristics of Rahab? This act of bravery led to Rahab and her family being spared when Jericho was destroyed. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way (James 2:25)? As such, Raphael most likely spent his formative years in contact with the court. Rahab chose to have faith that God existed and that He was faithful to deliver the land He had promised to His people. Lined up, all of the planets in the solar system could fit between the Earth and the moon. Something tells me she had been waiting for an opportunity like this; a chance to escape the darkness in Canaan and the hurt of her life. Rahab is mentioned in the New Testament in the Letter of James and in the book of Hebrews. For a full list of well-rounded questions, I invite you to click here and print our free Rahab Bible study pdf worksheet! Take the word of a prostitute and spend an indeterminate time living in her house waiting for the Israelites to attack. 2. Rahab is a very important figure in the Bible, appearing in both the book of Joshua and the New Testament. 66. 5. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. In fact, you lose some every day without noticing. She wasnt a woman in the highest echelons of society, yet she was willing to risk her life for what she believed. For this reason, they were often adorned with symbols of strength and protection, such as lions or dragons. After all, she was an outsider, a woman of ill repute, and someone who should have been their enemy. The two spies walk up to a house thats set in the wall of Jericho and meet a woman, Rahab. She is Known as one of the women of the bible, many women copied the Faith Rahab. Here's quick list of some fun facts about Rahab Villacres's birthday you must know including detailed age calculation, western astrology, roman numeral, birthstone and birth flower. Moses had passed and appointed Joshua as the new leader of Israel and with Gods blessing and instruction the Israelites were again preparing to enter Canaan (the Promised Land), starting with Jericho. Even more, Rahab was, soon, engrafted into the physical family of Israel as she became the wife of Salmon, one of the leaders of Israel who supported Moses when they left Egypt. I say this for two reasons: 1. From the moment conflict arose between the Israelites and Rahabs people, Rahab had set in her heart whose side she was on. Image credits: Adam Brill. Rahab was a prostitute. We talk about making an impact finding purpose in life but seldom do we realize that to walk out the things God created us for often requires us to abandon things of this world that define us; the culture we live in, our own ideologies, status, and even how we view ourselves. Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof 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. Rahab lived in Jericho, and by her allying herself with God's people she was laying her life on the line. Rahab. Ultimately, she was used by God to play a role in forming the lineage of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her bravery saved the lives of the Israelite spies and ultimately led to the fall of Jericho. Im just constantly amazed the more I learn. She let them shrivel and fade and was completely content in that because she knew what was hers going forward; LIFE. If this is so apparent to a common prostitute, why do the people of Jericho resist this all . First, Rahab demonstrates the power of faith. According to the Bible, the walls of Jericho were destroyed by Joshua and the Israelites when they invaded the city (Joshua 6:1-27). The rabbis viewed Rahab as a worthy convert to Judaism, and attested that Rahab married Joshua following her conversion; their descendants included the prophets Jeremiah, Hilkiah, Seraiah, Mahseiah, Baruch, Ezekiel and the prophetess Hulda, [22] although there is no report in the book of Joshua of the leader marrying anyone, or having any family As Christians, we are taught that we should live lives that please God. She identified the spies for what they were, hid them, and had a convincing story ready with which to deceive the king's men. 3 Profound Reasons Idolatry is a Sin, 23 Encouraging Bible Verses About Endurance, Consider Your Ways: 3 Simple Tips for Introspection, 4 Simple Ways to Share the Faith With Your Family. In addition to founding three churches, and the call as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, Dr. Milton is a retired Army Chaplain (Colonel). It was included in everything from their entertainment to their worship. In addition to serving as a physical barrier, the gates also served as a symbolic barrier between the inside and outside of the city. This story is found in the book of Joshua, Chapter 6. God redefines those with a past. 4. If she did not have any family in Jericho, it is unlikely that she would have put herself in such danger. How can she save her family from the invading Israelites? Thus, as God worked all things together for the good, using the humble and the most unlikely, God raised up a harlot to become the great-great-grandmother of King David. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Alonda Tanner is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. The answer can be found in Rahabs character. Let's dive into the fun world of interesting facts and see what we can learn about. Father / Grandfather / Minister / Missionary / Deacon / Elder / Author / Are you allowing regret, shame or confusion caused by someone else to keep you on a detour? Rahab saves spies Joshua 2:1-7 The Hebrew tribes led by Joshua came into Canaanite territory, where they encountered city states who did not welcome the intruders. Part of me wonders how long she had been questioning the legitimacy of the idols and false gods her people worshiped; of which there were many. Rahab was a prostitute woman. In fact, that is a big part of why God chose to destroy the Canaanites in the first place. Rahab is listed in the genealogy of Jesus. Obedient Rahab was obedient to Gods commands, even when it put her in danger. As a result, Rahab became an instrument of Gods plan for His people. Shutterstock. When they came back and gave an evil report, He was just in His punishment of them. In many ways, the gates represented the border between civilization and the wilderness. The story of Rahab is found in the Book of Joshua, and it teaches several important lessons. With no available Jewish men in her town, she marries Radames, a young Egyptian officer who is the new governor of Jericho. And she did it in a moment. What was the Purpose of the Scarlet Cord? A purchase? Humble Rahab was humble, as she considered herself unworthy of salvation. One of the more disturbing yet interesting fun facts: All the hair on your head is dead, except for the follicles. The biblical account of the fall of Jericho describes a miraculous event in which the walls of the city came tumbling down after Joshua and the Israelites marched around them for seven days. Presidents Adams and Jefferson also died the same year, 1826; President. Salmon was from the tribe of Judah, which means that Rahab was also technically from that tribe (although she was not born into it). When I hear Tower of Babel my, Read More Nimrod and the Story of the Tower of BabelContinue, Its easy to overlook the importance of repentance in the Bible. She let them shrivel and fade and was completely content in that because she knew what was hers going forward; LIFE. The Lord did this by causing the walls of Jericho to collapse after the Israelites had marched around the city for seven days. God instructed Joshua to have the Israelites march around the city walls once a day for six days, followed by seven priests blowing trumpets. It's funded by membership dues, non-member donations, bequests and major gifts and donations from its 275 chapters. In a lot of modern churches, they claim theres not really a need for it. #hebrews12endurance, What is Idolatry? Rahabs story is a picture of Gods plan of redemption, available to anyone who will believe Him by faith. The other three are Tamar, Ruth, and Bathsheba. Whenever the Army of Israel entered Canaan, Rahab acted. Random fun facts are great for breaking the ice, impressing a . 125 Fun Facts. There were whispers that they had been promised the land of Canaan. Rahab Villacres was born on Monday, 71 st day / 11 th week of 1996; Keep digging! 50+ random facts - fun facts. Im sure that someone who had a reputation as a prostitute would have had difficulties shaking off the labels placed on her by society. The location of Rahabs house also made it convenient for her to help the Israelite spies escape from Jericho. Rahab was an innkeeper who, sadly, found other ways of bringing in revenue. Radames fabricates a story to tell Jerichos king, but Hammurabi doesnt believe itand he has his eye on the beautiful Rahab. "By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of the disobedient, because she welcomed the spies in peace." HEBREWS 11:31 Background After 40 years of struggle, Israel stood poised to enter the Promised Land. 175 Random Facts So Interesting You'll Say, "OMG!" These fun facts about everything from the cosmos to the inner workings of your body will blow your mind. 8. Still, she boldly asked them to spare her life. She chose to believe in the God of the Hebrews over the gods of her own people. COPYRIGHT 2023 Tanner Ministry Outlets, LLC. Run your raceIn Rahab Woman of Jericho, the main character had to resist giving in to the expectation of others, including her family. - Let's Talk Bible Study | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. But she would enter without Moses for he was dead. "For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below" (Joshua 2:11). Finally, this story teaches us that we should obey God even when it is difficult. Rahab was spared when Jericho was destroyed. A woman who risks her own life to save others. 1. Rahab lived in Jericho, and by allying herself with God's people, she was laying her life on the line. We first meet Rahab in Joshua chapter 2. It had been 40 years since Joshua, Israels leader at the time, had set eyes on the promised land. Rahab was quick to abandon the life she had built for the HOPE of a new one. Still, the people of Jericho may have felt as if they could hide behind their walls. Deuteronomy 9:5. She refused to nurture those things anymore. Historians believe that the Wall of Jericho was actually built around 8,000 years ago during the Neolithic period. Rahab helped the Israelite spies escape after their mission was complete.