Teaching resource for Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson for June 14

Questions and ideas to study and teach Joshua 2:1–21 (Answers are at the end.)

First, ask the group members to get in pairs.

Second, do the following exercise: Rahab made provision for the salvation of her family. We should follow her example and be concerned about any person in our family that does not know the Lord. Share with your partner any unsaved family members and pray for them.

Ask the group to come back together.

Joshua 2:1–7

1. Why do Joshua send the two spies into Jericho secretly?   
2. Were they able to keep their mission a secret?
3. Were they told specifically to go to Rahab the harlot’s house or did they just happen to end up there?
4. What did the king order Rahab to do?
5. Did Rahab realize that it was risky to hide the spies and then tell lies to protect them? Is it ok to lie in times of war?
6. Where did Rahab get the idea of sending the king’s men on a wild goose chase?   

 Joshua 2:8–13

1. What can we learn about Rahab and the reputation of the Israelites from their bedside conversation?
2. What are the implications of her realization that the Lord had already given the Israelites the land?
3. Why would God displace the Canaanites so the Israelites could settle in the land?
4. What was the response of the people of Jericho at the thought of the Israelites coming in 2:9 and 2:11a?
5. What two things had they heard about what the Lord had done for Israel?
6. What do we learn about Rahab from her statement in 2:11b?
7. What did James say about Rachel’s faith in James 2:25?
8. What else do we learn about Rahab from her requests of the two spies in 2:12-13?
9. What can we learn from the example of Rahab in the concern for the salvation of our families?

Joshua 2:14–16

1. What did the two spies promise Rahab if she didn’t turn them in to the king?

Joshua 2:17–21

1. What were the conditions the spies gave her for the salvation of her family?
2. What other two Bible stories give families specific instructions about safety and salivation?
3. What is the significance of Rahab being listed in the genealogy of Jesus?

Answers to the questions

1. The less people know a secret, the less likely it is to get out, especially in time of war.
2. Somehow the secret did get out, and the king of Jericho found out.
3. From the information that we have, the Lord did not tell them specifically go to Rahab’s house, even though there were stories in the Bible when God told people to go to specific locations or houses. In the Lord’s providence he knew that Rahab was one who could be trusted and help them on their mission. God had a plan.
4. The king ordered Rahab to turn the spies over to him.
5. Certainly, Rahab knew there was some risk in hiding the spies. Lying or covering up in war to save many lives is not breaking the ten commandments. Exodus 1:19 tells of the midwives lying to Pharoah to save babies.
6. Multiple choice: A. From watching the Lone Ranger B. From reading Sherlock Holmes spy thrillers C. From a dream D. That’s what you do when your house is on the walls of Jericho.
7. She had keen insight and discernment about spiritual matters. From what she said in 2:11b she may have already become a believer.   
8. That she and her family along with many others could be killed or taken prisoners and transported to another location.
9. The Canaanites were a very wicked people and fell under God’s judgment. See Genesis 15:16.  
10. Apparently, the reputation of the Israelites had preceded their arrival. Our text tells us that the terror of them had fallen on the people of Jericho, their hearts melted, and not no man had any courage left. What is ironic is that the report of the Israelite spies brought terror into the hearts of their people when in fact the Canaanites were terrified of them.
11. How the Lord dried up the Red Sea to allow escape from the Egyptians and how they defeated the two Amorite kings.
12. At some point she realized that the pagan way of life and beliefs were a dead-end road and chose to follow the one true God.   
13. That she had genuine faith that was evidenced by her rescuing of the two spies.
14. That she cared enough for her family to make provision for their safety and salvation in the physical sense.
15. We should be concerned enough for our families that we do all we can to see them come to faith in Christ and having a “safe place” to reside for all eternity.   
16. That they would show kindness and faithfulness to her and her family.
17.  A. Tie the scarlet thread in the window B. Gather her family inside the house and do not let them go into the streets.
18. Noah’s ark and the blood of a lamb applied over the doorposts when the death angel came through the land of Egypt during the plagues.   
19. Her name is found in Matthew 1:5. Any person can be redeemed and used by the Lord.