Rahab - Dec. 15

Women of Courage : Ladies Bible Study- Rahab- Dec. 15

The Fear of God and Faith –seems to be the focus of this lesson. 

Joshua 1:9   Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

2 Tim 2:15  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Rahab seeming to have no redeeming qualities up to this point, but God chose her.  And Mary also, with no known redeeming qualities was selected and chosen by God to restore and redeem her and to bear His son.  

Could Rahab lived a different life? She still would have been a sinner in need of redemption.  The would have been condemned for her sins no matter what.  To what extent are women today responsible for their sin, Romans 1 tells us we are all without excuse!

Ecc. 12:13-14
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
¹⁴ For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.

2 Peter 2:1
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

Confluent- the flowing together of forces, we live our lives knowing that there are forces that weave into our lives and we know that God is directing our footsteps day by day.  Many people use the situation that happened in Connecticut as a proclamation that there is no God. But we know that God is very active and his plans are before us. 

Ezek 36:20-

20 When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and yet they have gone out of His land.’ 21 But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went.

22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. 29 I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!”

33 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35 So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.”

37 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. 38 Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”’”

Psalm 119:133 Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Jeremiah 10:23   O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

So what is God trying to tell us?  How can we be separate from the sins of our nation?

How have we profaned the name of the Lord or allowed God’s name to be profaned by others? We hear of the shootings here in this land, and the stabbing of children in China, and the many other things that are happening in our world.  They are spiritually dead, influenced by forces within spiritual wickedness. We need to stay away from the world, its’ influences and the evil around us. Any time we profess to be a Christian and don’t behave like one, anytime we don’t speak up for God. Pray that God changes our hearts of stone. We need to be strong in the Lord, living in his word, drawing closer daily to our Lord.  Be a part of the two and not of the ten! Be strong in the Lord and the power of HIS might, walking in faith, walking the narrow road.

Let us pray for God to reveal our “idols” so that we no longer profane God’s name. Let us speak God’s word in truth and love to others. Praise God for his word, the fact we have access to it and He can guide us as we learn daily to walk closer to him.  

 

Post Script: The Jesus Film app is available to all; it is free to send to others.

Also mentioned it the beginnings of a mobile medical unit for pregnant women in need locally.  They are working to prepare the motorhome to get everything ready to go.

Rahab

Ladies Bible Study- Rahab - Nov. 17

We began by speaking about faith:

Thinking about faith, Rahab was all about faith. Her heart had been so prepared by God, even living in an entirely pagan world, her faith was strong. She knew what God could do. She had great fear, knowing what God had done in the lives of the Hebrews. She knew about what had happened in Egypt and how the Israelites had conquered the kings from other countries. They had also heard of the recent crossing over the Jordon and the water parting. They knew that God was still with them.

Unlike the “demons who believe in God and tremble”, she did have fear, but she also had trust, trusting their God to have mercy upon her and her family. Through her trust came her obedience.

The Israelites had experienced the fear of God as they went through the wrath against their disobedience at Ai. They understood the price of sin, but they also learned of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Like them, Rahab, she had fear, but was learning about God’s mercy and forgiveness. Even in her ignorance she acted in trust.

Prov. 8:13

¹³ “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

Faith in evidence- seeing the things that God does. Psalm 111

1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the assembly. 2 Great are the works of the Lord; They are studied by all who delight in them. 3 Splendid and majestic is His work, And His righteousness endures forever. 4 He has made His wonders to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and compassionate. 5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever. 6 He has made known to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations. 7 The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure. 8 They are upheld forever and ever; They are performed in truth and uprightness. 9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name.10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Rahab had this assurance in her heart. She knew that God would be with her.

Question 1:

Deut. 18:9-12; 20:17-18; 1 Kings 17-29 What is your response to the order of God to the Israelites to “utterly destroy” people such as the Amorites?

God has a perfect plan, even when we don’t understand it. God was protecting his chosen people.

Am I willing to examine myself as an idolater, worshipping anything other than God, we are as guilty as the people of these lands.  

The word “learn” in Duet. 18- is like the word “goad”, we are being prodded to move forward to follow God and away from the world.

So what are the abominations that God hates: Prov. 6:16-19

¹⁶ There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
¹⁷ Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil,
¹⁹ A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.

We discussed at length each of these and how they reflect in our own lives.

Rahab Nov. 3

The bible study started with prayer.

Continuing with the story of Rahab.

Question:  what would have happened if someone had made a sound (talking) while the men were walking around Jericho?  It’s hard to know what would have happened since it was not discussed in the bible, but when one of the Israelites took some items from the city of Ai there were severe consequences.  You cannot doubt the sovereignty of God.

Back to the discussion of who married Rahab.  The lineage of Salmon goes back to Amminadab of Judah, a very trusted person to Moses.  Nashon was son to Amminadab.  Both were considered to be Princes.  Salmon was son of Nashon.  Rahab ended up marrying a respected leader, Salmon, of a respected family. 

It was amazing what the people of Jericho witnessed before the city was destroyed.  The people of Jericho saw the dust of 3 million people moving to Mt. Nebo.  The Israelites probably had their banners flying.  The fear of what was ahead must have been something to behold.

 When the Israelite army started their journey from Mt Sinai, the Ark of the Covenant left first, then Judah was the first tribe out which provided the protection for the ark and everyone else.  Judah was the front army.  Judah was the favored tribe because Jesus came from their lineage.  This time in history established the importance of the tribe of Judah.

What was the deal that Rahab struck the Israelite spies?  “Our lives for your lives”  It was interesting that Rahab struck in the deal to also save her family and not just herself.  It showed a depth of feeling for her family and showed a prepared heart. 

Between the time the spies returned to Joshua and approached Jericho, they crossed the Jordan and the men were circumcised the other side – so time elapsed before the Israelites started the attack.  Rahab had to be patient and keep her mouth closed.

There is a mutual oath between the spies and Rahab.  She will not tell of what the spies were doing “our lives for your live”.  The spies will show kindness to Rahab and her family.  Hebrew kindness is frequently translated to love or unfailing love.  A demonstration of the covenant God had with the Israelites, which shows his unfailing love.

Size of the city of Jericho, is about 10 acres and held approximately 2,000 people.  It puts perspective on what the walking was like for the soldiers.

Shera handed out a handout evaluating the term FAITH and how it related to other terms.  This is something we can work on before the next session.  What is the evidence of faith and assurance?  One of the reasons the story of Rahab is in the bible is to show God’s sovereignty and the faith of Rahab.  Whatever sadness or shame or guilt we have in our lives can be overcome by the grace of God and his enduring love. 

What was the significance of Rahab’s hanging a scarlet cord in her window?  The color red often denotes offense, sin, immoral or promiscuous, from the dictionary.   Biblically, scarlet is a color from the blood of the Passover lamb when the Lord struck down the first born of Egypt. 

While looking at the Faith handout look at Psalms 111, Job 19:25, the book of Joshua.   Joshua was never weak in his faith.  Joshua 1:9, 23:10-14, 3:10-13.  Duet 3:21-22 (Moses speaking to Joshua), Ecclesiastes 8:12.  Book of James.   Hebrews 11:1 – what does it really mean?  Faith is the hope and the assurance that what God says will occur. 

Close out in prayer.

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. 

 

Sarah Sept. 15

Ladies Bible Study Sept. 15

We began with prayer for Jackson- a small boy that developed muscle control problems that are life risking,  Bill (Donna’s son)- for the surgery he needs for the problem in his brain, and for a couple in Shera’s family and the loss of a baby in the womb.  We asked the Lord to bless the meeting and to guide us as we have our study today.

We begin on p. 20 question #4 reading Genesis 16:6-16

In what ways did God extend mercy to Hagar?  God was aware of her, even before this moment.  She is learning about God and his mercy.  She was in a place where she shouldn’t have been, but God didn’t leave her there. He corrected her and then gave her a hope and a promise.  He sent her back to be under another’s authority. 

God can lift you from the “muck” of this life and set you on the right path.  It is God’s restoration of Hagar and shows his love and mercy, and his command to her to return.  God named her son, but how did Abram know to name his son Ishmael?  How precious for her to see this promise fulfilled.  It had to be humbling to her.  God never promised easier times, but only that she needed to return and that she would continue to be a servant.  But through her son’s name she would be reminded daily that God gave her a promise. 

Like Moses, who killed an Egyptian and had to return years later to Egypt to face that sin.  When he returned, he went there with God. 
Hagar was brought to a relationship with God and then returned to the servitude she had in her life.  Like Moses, she had to face a difficult time and continue.

The years that these people spent together resulted in the nations that we have today, all a result of the relationships of Abram.  The words spoken by God still hold true today – Genesis 6:12

“He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; and he will live to the east of all his brothers.”

The influence of the world is all around us and we need to continue to be God’s light in the world, praying for God’s direction. The first time Hagar left she may have felt she could return, but the second time she left she was sent away and felt she couldn’t return.  It is in those moments that we are completely “lost” that God rescues us completely.  We need to place our entire focus on our Lord.

God restored the family through the situations they had to journey through.  God had a purpose in his direction.

Question #5 Genesis 17:1 Why did God reveal himself to Abram as El Shaddai- Almighty God?

Because God was preparing to do mighty things within and through Abraham, God stressed his power.  You will know me as the all sufficient God.  Abraham means father of a multitude. They would be heading into a new journey or direction in their lives.  They would see God’s hand on their life.  Prepare yourself and your family for what is ahead…… at ninety-nine.  

We shouldn’t limit ourselves because of our age. As long as we are here and have breath God will use us for his will and his plan.  It is His direction and leading. 

Question #6 Genesis 17:19; 21:1-7 – Why did Sarah name her son Isaac which meant laughter?

In Genesis 17- he was named by God, so it wasn't Sarah that named Isaac. This question may have been worded incorrectly, but we know the texts that we have been looking at. We know what it says, we need to be careful in our wording and focus in God’s word. This study leads us into deeper study of God’s word and the phrasing of questions.

We are laughing with Sarah to this day!  We can imagine the talk that went on within the tents around them, but in the end God blessed them with the child.  People must have known that God’s hand was upon this pregnancy and birth, they were a testimony of God’s almighty power and authority over life.  They must have rejoiced with them over the miracle of this child, strengthening the relationship of many with the LORD.

We worry today how a forty year old may have difficulty delivering their child. They lived in a time where there were stillbirths and complications.  Once again they would have to rely upon their Lord. The stillborn child in Shera’s family made her remember how David felt after the birth of his firstborn.  She was able to share this with the father and give them a hope for a peace from God.

Question #7 Galatians 4:24-30.  What did Paul teach to the Galatians using the examples of Sarah, Isaac, Hagar, and Ishmael?

Paul uses the expulsion of Hagar as the conflict between law and grace.   Hagar represents the bondage to sin but Sarah represents freedom in Christ- Born of God.  We may struggle for our lifetime, but the promise will come.  It is our focus that is so important.  Are we focused on the things of the world, the flesh? Or are we looking to God and his promises? 

Question #8 1 Peter3:4-6

Sarah trusted God and moved forward, Sarah counted God faithful.

Jesus in the gospels rebuked wavering weak faith.  God rebukes our wavering but pulls us to him.  Sarah was the epitome of faithful women, faithful in God’s eyes.  We can look at Sarah and how her life relates to us, what we can learn from her.

Praise God for his word and his promises.  We are all learning to trust God as we walk our path through life.

Sarah continues Sept. 1

Ladies Bible Study Sept. 1

We opened with prayer

We continued in Bible connections pg. 20 question 3

Respond to the statement: no good has ever come from any violation of the “one-flesh” principle of monogamy.

We read:  Genesis 29:23-31; 2 Samuel 5:13; 1 Kings 11:1-4; Matthew 19:4-5; 1 Corinthians 7:2

No sin is ever good in the sight of God, but if our sins left us here in front of God as no good, we would be without hope.  It brings us to Romans 8:28. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

But we need to look at the consequences of your sin and how they affect not only us but those in our lives. But, God is working with us through all our sinning.  My sins still have consequences today, but everything that we are working through as Christians is working toward the good.

Like a pipe cleaner that gets kinked and we cannot straighten, our sin messes with our lives and we are in bondage by the sins that have flowed through generations.  We need to turn to the one true God, who is the one that can straighten our lives.

We had a lot of discussion about the imperfectness that have happened in the world around us and how adultery and sex outside of marriage has caused problems.  We all had instances to relate and also how God has used the things in our lives to change us and turn us to Him.  WE have to be careful not to label others as no good.  God does as he directs.

Abraham was a weak link with Sarah, but he broke the marriage trust. We have to be constantly on guard to keep from sin.  Sin affects us and leaves us with scars. We need to be alert to the spirit and run from the sin and temptation around us.

Isaiah 61

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

Because the Lord has anointed me

To bring good news to the afflicted;

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to captives

And freedom to prisoners;

2 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

3 To grant those who mourn in Zion,

Giving them a garland instead of ashes,

The oil of gladness instead of mourning,

The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.

So they will be called oaks of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Ecclesiastes 7:13 
Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.

We remember where we came from and the grace that gets us through.

Zechariah 13:9

⁹ “And I will bring the third part through the fire,
Refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are My people,’
And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”

Let us lift up our voices to proclaim “The Lord is my God” and to turn away from the sins that so easily beset us.