Study of Rahab begins

Ladies Bible Study Oct. 20

We began our study of Rahab!  We enjoyed the study of Sarah so much, but it is nice to move on to our new study!  We read Joshua 2:1-23, Joshua 6:20-26, Hebrews 11:30-31 and James 2:14-26.The fact that Rahab is mentioned in James with Abraham, shows that there is significance to her works. 

Jericho is in the part of Israel that is in debate and causing upheaval right now.  We looked on maps printed by Shera to get an idea of the areas involved and the Exodus map.  The road from Jerusalem was a road that Jesus traveled. It was an interesting historical visit, and the question asked was the historical facts important to our study and we agree that the history allows us to have a better insight into the people of this land.

We looked at Deuteronomy 2:25 and 11:25, God put the fear of the Israelites into the hearts of those in the lands that God would lead them. And the people of Jericho had the great fear of the Israelites.

Question one – How would you describe the spiritual makeover of Rahab if you were to describe her to a friend.

Was it important to God that she was a harlot? We agreed that God probably used her because her profession to allow these men to gain access to her home and have trust in her confidences to keep things secret.  God was preparing her.  God wanted us to know that she was listed as a harlot, allowing us to see that she was used by God and listed in the scriptures.

 It shows that our past will follow us, there are consequences for our sins that often label us, but God can still use us if it is his will.   She had heard the stories of the miracles of Israel all her life. She believed those stories and trusted the Israelites with her life and the life of her families.  She had little knowledge of God, but she heard about them and through that hearing she believed!!  She believed enough to not turn these men in to the authorities in her town, she feared God more than man.  She was willing to risk all for a God she barely knew, even though it was God giving her the faith.

The events took place quickly in her life.  The men arrived and soon the soldiers came seeking them. She had to quickly make the decision of what her stand would be, and yet God had been preparing her heart all along.  She encouraged and directed the spies.  She related the greatness of their God and then gave them direction to assist them in their escape. 

Question 2 – In what way was Rahab like the Israelites who came to conquer her city?

They believed in the same God.  The Israelites like Rahab were thinking of the acts of God, remembering the acts of their fathers who failed to enter the promised land.  The Israelites knew this was their moment to enter the promised land and they moved forward with purpose.  Rahab had purpose as well!  Her purpose was to honor the Israelite God through protecting these men.  This is an example of faith with works!!  We are going to learn more as we go through this study how the works of faith are evident in our lives!!

Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

During the days that the Israelites traveled around the walls of Jericho, they would have suffered the jeers and things being thrown at them as they walked.  They were quiet as they walked, but they were most likely in prayer during their walk.  Their hearts being prepared for the battle before them and their learning to trust God.

Question 3: How had Rahabs heart been prepared to believe in Yahweh?

She had heard the stories and she probably disliked her life and would have loved to leave that lifestyle.  She had seen the gods of her people that did not do anything to change situations, yet she saw the Israelite God as the one God that had done miracles to change the direction of great nations and the movement of his people.  She wanted to trust this Israelite God.

 

Sarah Oct. 6

Ladies Bible Study Oct 6

We started the Bible study singing the song  ”I love you Lord” (modified to We love you Lord)

There were less people here at the study this morning due to other folks’ commitments.

To what degree is a wife called to help her husband fulfill his destiny?  Answer:  it is a help to pray for your husband to be a man of God and to fulfill the destiny that God has laid out for him.  A man that leads his family in God’s way is a great destiny.  As you start to fulfill your destiny, pressures of time and energy and attacks from the enemy are prevalent.  Even family members don’t always understand your destiny and work against your efforts.     

In what ways, and why, is it important for a wife to root her hope and expectation in a promise that she sees as including her?  Answer:  Peter’s wife must have been a believing wife from the beginning.   1 Cor 9:5.  Perceptions of the Church is that you can’t take your wife with you at all times.  Peter took his wife with him wherever he went.  No one chose to bring out the qualities of Peter’s wife in scripture but if you study the word you can see the influence she had on him.  Encouragement from the wife will be fruitful. 

In what ways might the Lord be challenging you to seek a new “description” for your life in the days ahead?    We are all in different seasons of our lives.  Some are learning to care take for parents, empty nesters, mothers, learning to live without spouse.  Every new description requires new learning and study of the word to know the will of God and to have faith that God knows best. 

The core of what Sarah has offered will stay with us for a long time, forever?  We know Sarah, Bible verses and the journey of her whole life.  Her life is a testament to trials and negative events, but she was deemed faithful.

Lasting implications (page 22): What are the challenges that God-fearing people face today as they are confronted frequently by godless people who are making godless decisions?  Gen. 12 and 19.  Abraham was directed to go to …. As they got to Egypt Abraham feared for his life and told Sarah to say that she was his sister.  Indeed she was commended to Pharaoh.  The Lord plagued Pharaoh with great plagues, which caused him to release Sarah back to Abraham.  Can we condemn Pharaoh for the sins of Abraham?  The pressures of society must have an effect on our decisions.

Abimilech:  Same sort of story.  Perceptions of God-less is a very slippery slope.  Even a non-god fearing person is influenced by God. 

Lying has a varying degree of impact.  Financial infidelity, when we hide or lie about purchases we make with the family finances.   How does the sin of the world affect our decisions?  Abraham chose to lie to Pharaoh and possibly endanger Sarah.  How many times do you need to sin and get corrected before you can make decisions that demonstrate your faith. 

We should all be like Daniel, prostrate on the floor begging for relief for his people. 

The person we have the most trouble with is the person we see in the mirror.  That is the person we have to ask for forgiveness for, that annoys us, that don’t live up to expectations.  We need to get our own house in order before we judge others. 

Sarah was often remarked to be a beautiful woman.   She was spiritually beautiful as well.  She was obedient to God and that was evident.  That is something we can try to attain in our lives.   Sarah wasn’t along for the ride, she had her own purpose.  Why would Abraham want to give up Sarah to Pharaoh?  Wasn’t he the spiritual leader of the family? 

Women’s role in the family,  generally to be the heart of the home not the leader.  Questioning the events that happen at the time is hard to maintain faith.  But he has longsuffering love for us and has always been there with us.   Fortunately we can learn from past demonstrations of God’s unfailing love and faith. 

We go from judging Sarah, Hagar, and Abraham to seeing that we are looking in the mirror when we review the events in their lives.  When picking through the life of Sarah there seemed to be some scary events. 

Next study will be Rahab. 

The ethics of smuggling, how do you rationalize breaking the law to meet the seemingly clear goals of Christianity.  Perhaps we will be seeing some answers through this study.