Our lives for yours (Josh 2q)

Josh 2:1-24

Key Verse : 14 So the men said to her, "Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the LORD gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you."

1.      [1-7] Where and why did Joshua send his spies (1-2; Cf. Num 13:1, 17-20)? Being informed of coming of the two spies, what message did the king of Jericho send Rahab (3)? How did Rahab protect the spies? (4-7) What risk did she take?

2.      [9-11] What did she know (9) How (10)?  When and why did she confess this to the spies (8,11)?  Discuss her understanding of the God of Israel.

3.      [12-13] What did she request to the spies (12aa) Why was this request fair (12ab)? What further demand did she make of them? (12b-13) Discuss the relationship between her kindness and her faith in the Lord in view of what Israel did to King Sihon (Deut 2:25-34; Cf. Heb 11:6, 31).

4.      [14-21] How did the spies describe the essence of this covenant (14a)? How did each party commit themselves to this covenant (12aa, 17)? How would that covenant be made complete (18-20)? To do so what did Rahab do (15,21)?

5.      [22-24] When the two spies returned home and reported, what was the most important finding through this spying expedition (24)? Discuss the differences between this exploration and the first one at Kadesh Barnea (Num 13). And find how God’s purpose in this expedition is different from the first one.

6.      Discuss why or how Rahab could commit herself and her family in this covenant.