Read Hebrews 11:31 and Joshua 2:9-11. Why was Rahab, a pagan prostitute, included in this text of sacred biblical characters?

Rahab is probably the most unexpected character whom we find in Hebrews 11:1-40. Rahab is one of two women mentioned by name. She is the tenth in the list, the first being forefathers and patriarchs of Israel, and each one was regarded as being righteous. When we come to her, we find that she is not only a woman but also a gentile prostitute.

Image © Kim Justinen at Goodsalt.com

The most surprising thing is that she is also the thematic center and climax of the chapter. The list is organized in a unique way. Each entry begins with the repetitive use of the phrase “by faith.” The basic pattern is “By faith So-and-so did such-and-thus” or “By faith such-and-thus happened to So-and-so.” This repetitive pattern increases the expectation in the reader to hear the climactic assertion that “by faith Joshua led the people into the promised land.”

But that’s not what the text says. Instead, Joshua is passed over, and the prostitute takes his place. After the mention of Rahab, the repetitive pattern ends abruptly with “and what more shall I say?” (Hebrews 11:32, NKJV). Then, Paul hurriedly lists some names and events that he does not explain in detail.

Rahab’s deed of faith was that she heard, believed, and obeyed, even though she did not see. She did not see the plagues of Egypt, or the deliverance in the Red Sea, or water flow from the rock, or bread descend from heaven; yet, she believed. She was a good exemplar for the audience of Hebrews, who did not hear Jesus preach or see Him do a miracle, and for us as well, who did not see any of these things, either.

“Rahab was a harlot who lived on the wall of Jericho. She hid the two Israelite spies sent to check out the defenses of that city. Because of her kindness to them, and her declaration of belief in God, the spies promised that the lives of Rahab and her family would be spared when the attack came on Jericho.” — Introduction to Rahab found in Daughters of God, p. 35.

Paul then continues (Hebrews 11:35-38) with a list of the hardships many faced. The phrase “refusing to accept release” (Hebrews 11:35, ESV) implies that they had the possibility to escape but chose not to, because their sight was on the reward of God.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Key Thought: Hebrews 11 tells us that faith is confidence in God’s promises and how it was obtained through examples of the past.
March 12, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 11:1-19.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What did these heroes of faith do that exemplified their faith?
3. Personal Application: Have you ever seen God leading you in your past? Share an experience that has affected you personally.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why is meditating on how God has led in our lives in the past so important for maintaining our faith and trust in Him now?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 11:20-28.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What did these men of faith do? How are their actions related to things not seen?
3. Personal Application: What are some struggles you have experienced because of your faith? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Have ever had to give up anything for your faith? Why is the reward worth it, if you can’t see it now?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 11:31, Joshua 2:9-11.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. Why was Rahab, a pagan prostitute, included in the list of sacred Biblical characters?
3. Personal Application: How do we react to this? Hope, because if He could take a prostitute: He could take all of your sins; or uneasiness, because how could He save a pagan prostitute? Where is the standard of goodness and holiness? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Why do you have so much faith in the six-day Creation, the Exodus from Egypt, the cross of Christ as Biblical historical events when you haven’t seen any of these things happen?” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 12:1-4.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How do we resist unto blood, striving against sin? Do we get tired and weak-minded in our efforts?
3. Personal Application: How do we lay aside the sin that so easily besets us? We aren’t David, Paul, Moses, or Samuel. We are just regular people trying to survive and live good lives. Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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