Moral Dilemmas - Part III
Joshua 2:1-24
God sent two spies into the land of Canaan before the armies of Israel crossed as a group. The spies were necessary before the whole of Israel entered the land. For instance, the spies were necessary to gather information. Joshua was wise in seeking information prior to any action. Even though God had promised help in the conquest of Canaan, he acted prudently by gathering all facts before making a decision for action.
The king of Jericho received word that the spies had entered the house of Rahab. Believing “they have come to search out all the land” (2:3), the king summoned Rahab to deliver the spies. In the process of their military expeditions, these men were unaware that God would bring them into contact with a person who needed spiritual encouragement. According to the testimony of Rahab (2:9-11), knowledge of God was widespread even in the city of Jericho. Rahab knew that God had given the land to the Jewish people. Consequently, she acted on this knowledge and confessed faith in the “LORD your God” (1:11). It was the evidence of her faith that she was willing to hide the spies in her home, and even lie about their presence in her home in an effort to save their lives (2:4-5). God commended Rahab for her faith in hiding the spies (Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25), yet the lie was a sin of weakness. Her desire to help the spies was just, but her lie was not.
Rahab lied to the soldiers concerning the men sent as spies, while helping the latter to safety. There is a seeming moral dilemma: (1) obedience to the soldiers as representative of the city government of Jericho, and (2) recognition of the sanctity of human life by not bringing the spies to the soldiers of Jericho. It is clear that Rahab lied, and she is nowhere commended for her falsehood. The deception by which she sought to avoid all suspicion of assisting the spies was not necessary. Rahab was rightly convinced that God would give the land to the Jewish people; therefore, any opposition to God’s plans would be futile.
In the account in Josh 6 (cf. Heb 11:31), God blessed Rahab for her faith and how she treated Israel. God rewarded her in spite of the fact that she lied rather than because of her lie. God not only spared her life, but also her family. Scripture does not say anything more about the lie, but it simply records what was done. The one quality that resulted in God’s blessing was Rahab’s genuine faith in Him. The “scarlet thread” was the evidence of her trust in the promise of deliverance.
God sent two spies into the land of Canaan before the armies of Israel crossed as a group. The spies were necessary before the whole of Israel entered the land. For instance, the spies were necessary to gather information. Joshua was wise in seeking information prior to any action. Even though God had promised help in the conquest of Canaan, he acted prudently by gathering all facts before making a decision for action.
The king of Jericho received word that the spies had entered the house of Rahab. Believing “they have come to search out all the land” (2:3), the king summoned Rahab to deliver the spies. In the process of their military expeditions, these men were unaware that God would bring them into contact with a person who needed spiritual encouragement. According to the testimony of Rahab (2:9-11), knowledge of God was widespread even in the city of Jericho. Rahab knew that God had given the land to the Jewish people. Consequently, she acted on this knowledge and confessed faith in the “LORD your God” (1:11). It was the evidence of her faith that she was willing to hide the spies in her home, and even lie about their presence in her home in an effort to save their lives (2:4-5). God commended Rahab for her faith in hiding the spies (Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25), yet the lie was a sin of weakness. Her desire to help the spies was just, but her lie was not.
Rahab lied to the soldiers concerning the men sent as spies, while helping the latter to safety. There is a seeming moral dilemma: (1) obedience to the soldiers as representative of the city government of Jericho, and (2) recognition of the sanctity of human life by not bringing the spies to the soldiers of Jericho. It is clear that Rahab lied, and she is nowhere commended for her falsehood. The deception by which she sought to avoid all suspicion of assisting the spies was not necessary. Rahab was rightly convinced that God would give the land to the Jewish people; therefore, any opposition to God’s plans would be futile.
In the account in Josh 6 (cf. Heb 11:31), God blessed Rahab for her faith and how she treated Israel. God rewarded her in spite of the fact that she lied rather than because of her lie. God not only spared her life, but also her family. Scripture does not say anything more about the lie, but it simply records what was done. The one quality that resulted in God’s blessing was Rahab’s genuine faith in Him. The “scarlet thread” was the evidence of her trust in the promise of deliverance.
posted by orthopodeo | 11:07 PM
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