Rahab the prostitute‛s life was about to take a dramatic turn. The two strangers in her house were unlike her usual clients seeking comfort in her embrace. They were spies from the fearsome Israelites, who had defeated mighty kings! Knowing the bitter consequences of bad choices, she now had to make a split-second decision: Report on them? Or betray her city by hiding them? Turn the pages to discover what Rahab did and how it changed her life.
© 2018 Our Daily Bread Ministries. All rights reserved. Author:
Rachel Ang Artist:
Lim Zhi Chuan Art Director:
Joshua Tan Layout:
Grace Goh Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. For information on our resources, please write to the office nearest you. For contact details, go to ourdailybread.org/locations
Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable Our Daily Bread Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.
QJ279
Modern day . . .
1
What you did was wrong, Marie. I’m not going to tell you otherwise.
2
But it’s been close to a year now. Don’t you think it’s time to move on with your life?
I know.
But . . . it keeps coming back to haunt me. I just can’t forget.
I remember all those looks on me . . . and the shame.
Let go of what happened. Forgive yourself.
3
Marie . . . ?
I feel so tainted!
I knew at that time that it was the wrong thing to do and yet . . .
4
I thought I was better than that. But I’m just as messed up as everyone else. Now I have to face the consequence of my choices, and think about the type of person I’ve become.
Marie . . .
The only way to start afresh, on a clean slate . . .
. . . is to know the One who knows everything about us, yet still loves us.
5
Come, Marie.
Let me tell you the story of another woman.
6
7
The sun rises . . . on yet another day . . .
God, if You are out there, tell me . . .
How do I escape . . .
from this life?
8
9
Jericho, the City of Palms. A prosperous city. The valley is fertile and well-watered, overflowing with abundant crops and luscious fruits. Everywhere you look, there is abundance.
and there are always those who can’t afford it.
But there is always a price to pay,
Rahab! Over here!
10
Rahab, did you hear the news about the Israelites?
The Israelites? Yes, the Israelites, silly!
The ex-Egyptian slaves!
Er . . . What about them?
Word recently arrived that their leader Moses is dead.
He just vanished up a mountain and never came down.
11
And you’ll never guess where they are now.
What?! Where?
Our king is frantic.
Who knows what they’ll do to us!
It seems that they’re right opposite the Jordan River!
Yikes! And they’ve defeated the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River.
Don’t worry. I’m sure no Israelite would ever be able to get past our defences! Our mud walls are 46 feet high.
He has ordered the watchmen and the army to keep a sharp lookout for any Israelites in the vicinity.
12
Even if they got past the first wall, they’d be stuck in the gap between that and the second wall.
Our defenders and watchmen would then pick them off like flies!
Meanwhile, in the Israelite camp.
13
O mighty God who led us out of slavery in Egypt . . . You have brought and sustained us this far. All praise and glory to Your Name. Continue to be with us and bless us as we move forward to the land you have promised to us.
Joshua . . .
Just in time, fellows.
14
So what is the plan?
Here’s what I need you to do. Scout out the land opposite the Jordan, especially around Jericho.
It is a strongly fortified city, and we need to gather as much information about it as possible. It shall be done, Joshua.
May God keep you safe from the enemies.
15
City of Jericho
16
As a child, when I had heard the stories of the miracles that followed the Israelites,
they had seemed like unbelievable tales.
How could any god turn the sea into dry land for people to walk on it? How could darkness cover just the Egyptians, but spare the Israelites? It couldn’t be real.
And yet now, the more I think about how the Israelites had moved despite all odds through the desert, defeating the great and mighty kings Sihon and Og, I began to think . . .
Maybe the God of Israel is the one true God?
17
Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen . . .
Oh, travellers.
Madam, we require one room to stay for a night.
18
Israelites!
I’m sorry if we startled you, we just need some shelter for the ni—
!?
19
...
How did you get in?
Don’t you know you’re not safe?
We are just travellers, looking for a room to spend the night . . .
20
You’re Israelites. You are a threat to this city.
The king has issued a decree for you to be turned in.
This is the Jericho police force. Open the door!
21
Open the door NOW!
Quick, come with me!
Hide under these stalks of flax, hurry!
22
What are you guys waiting for? Go on!
So . . . ?
I will hold them off!
Open the door!
This is the LAST WARNING!
Alright! I’m coming in!
23
Charge!
Yes, how can I help you sir?
STOP!
Good evening madam. How are you doing?
24
Sorry to disturb you madam. We are the Jericho police force.
Why hello officer.
What brings you here at this hour?
25
Oh, right!
......
Madam, I think you must have heard about the Israelites who have set up camp near our city. They are extremely dangerous— Oh my!
Yes . . . we have good reason to believe that two of their spies came here earlier today.
Are you certain? How frightful!!!
26
Yes . . . well. As such, I must ask you to allow us to enter and arrest them.
Now that you mention it . . . there were two strangers . . . They must be the Israelites you’re talking about.
Madam, we must ask you to turn them over to us immediately.
27
Get ready . . .
But officer . . . the men have already left. At dusk, just before the gates closed. I could tell they were foreigners, but I didn’t ask where they came from. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them before they exit Jericho.
Thank you for your cooperation madam.
28
Ah!
Hold! We . . . we are sorry.
29
Madam, Thank you for helping us.
30
How did you get into Jericho?
We simply came in when the gates opened, but we didn’t count on having to stay so long.
Well,
We followed some merchants’ directions to this place when we asked for shelter. We’re travelling businessmen, you see . . .
Teehee!
Please. I know better than that. You are here to spy on Jericho and bring information back to your leader.
31
I’m not surprised that you Israelites managed to slip past our defences.
But now I suppose the end of our city is near.
I admit, we are here because our leader sent us to spy out the land.
But why did you lie to those police to protect us?
32
I know your God has given you this land. All of Jericho is afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror.
There is no nation that has not heard of how your God made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt.
Our reputation has gone ahead of us, I see.
We also know that you completely destroyed the Amorites east of the Jordan River and what you did to their kings Sihon and Og.
Everyone is afraid! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things.
33
Your walls are strong and your fighters are fierce. Aren’t you confident in their power to protect your city?
Our army may be strong and ferocious, but they know they don’t have a chance.
The Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below, and nothing, least of all Jericho, will be able to stand in His way if He has decided to overcome us.
Your faith is amazing.
But you still have not answered me: why did you lie to protect us?
34
Won’t they do terrible things to you if they find out?
Which is why I have a request.
Swear to me by your God that you will be kind to my family and me since I have helped you.
Name it.
When you conquer Jericho, there will be nothing left. Give me some guarantee that you will let me live,
along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families. Promise me that you will not harm us.
35
We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety!
If you don’t betray us, we will keep our promise and be kind to you when the Lord gives us the land.
The God of Israel is the one true God. I’m glad that you’ve chosen to place your faith in Him.
36
37
It’s been three days since the spies came.
Three days ago . . .
Come, you must get out of here. It is not safe for you inside Jericho.
38
I do not know if the police will come back to question me again, but you must not be here when that happens.
Escape to the hills and hide there for three days from the men searching for you.
Then, when they have returned, you can go on your way.
Alright . . . but how do we get out without your neighbours noticing?
When you live in the city walls, it’s easy to escape through the windows.
39
It’s safe down here, come down now!
Before I go . . .
40
What is this?
When we come to conquer Jericho, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from this window.
All your family members— your father, mother, brothers, and all the relatives you intend to save—must be here inside this house.
Come on! Quickly!
Our oath requires you to follow these instructions. If they go out into the street and are killed, it will not be our fault. But if anyone lays a hand on the people inside this house, we will accept responsibility for their death.
41
I understand.
And . . .
if you betray us—
Then you will not be held to your oath. I understand.
...
42
Now you should hurry, and go.
I have no way of knowing if the two Israelites spies made it back safely to their camp. If they were caught and if they reveal that I helped them, I would be labelled as a traitor.
It seemed like a good idea at the time, but as the days passed, I wondered if I might have once again made a wrong decision.
But I kept reminding myself of the miracles that their God had performed.
How could it be a wrong choice to choose a God who has proven Himself so faithful and true to His own?
43
Sir.
44
We escaped! (Phew...) We are back.
Welcome back.
Praise God for keeping you both safe and sound! What is the report on our enemies?
Our enemies are terrified of us, and their morale is low.
They will never be able to stand against us. The Lord has given us this land.
45
Tell the people to pack their things. Every man, woman, child and animal must be ready to move at dawn.
Where do we tell them we are going?
We’re heading for Jericho.
46
Everyone, we have to go now.
Pack up whatever is important.
Where are we going exactly? I heard we are heading to Jericho.
47
The reports started flooding in to Jericho.
Updates on the Israelites’ whereabouts spread through the streets of Jericho.
“The Israelites have packed up and left Acacia Grove.” But when they set up camp on the opposite bank of the Jordan, people living in the City of Palms did not know what to think.
It was harvest season, and everyone knew that the Jordan was overflowing its banks.
48
How were they going to get across with all their women, children, animals and elderly?
For three days there was no sign of movement. We began to wonder if perhaps their plans had changed.
Maybe they would be content to stop there instead and become our close neighbours. Who knew?
I continued to live day by day . . .
. . . wondering if it would end like that.
49
And then the news came!
“The Israelites have crossed the Jordan.”
Rahab! Did you hear?
50
THEY CROSSED IT!
No!!!
The Israelites have crossed the Jordan River!!!
All of them. EVERY SINGLE ONE!
It’s uncanny, really.
It seems that a group of their Levites, their priests, carried their Ark, you know, the holy relic?
The Ark of the Covenant?
51
Yeah, that one! So anyway, they carried this Ark . . .
out of the camp in the morning, and all the Israelites started trailing half a mile behind it.
Eventually they reach the edge of the Jordan.
And you know how the water is on a permanent high tide right now, right? But their priests, they just kept walking, straight into the water, carrying their holy Ark and everything! And . . . you’ll never believe what happened next!
What? What??
52
As soon as their priests’ feet touch the river, the water downstream from that point kept flowing.
How did that happen?
But the water upstream from that point starts backing up a great distance away at the town called Adam, you know, the one near Zarethan?
Who knows. It’s definitely their God doing this. The same thing happened at the Red Sea when the Israelites came out of Egypt, remember?
And with the water separating and going both ways, soon the bottom of the river is just there and all of them simply walk over!
Our spies say that their Ark was the first in and the last out. It’s got to be their God who was pushing back the water to clear the path for them!
53
We’re doomed!!!
O God of Israel, you are mighty indeed!
How will our men fight against the people of a God who can part seas and rivers?
Oh goodness, they’re coming for us!!
Why did I doubt? There is absolutely nothing You cannot do.
Citizens of Jericho! The king has decreed that in lieu of the threat of the Israelites who are camping nearby, the gates of the city will be shut, effective immediately. Once closed, none will be allowed to go in or out until this danger has passed.
54
Take care, Rahab.
Goodbye girls. I have to visit my family.
Bring them over to my place to keep them safe.
But how silly!
To think that man-made walls and gates can stop a God who can push the Jordan’s full waters back upstream.
Jericho doesn’t stand a chance.
Push!
55
And the Lord said to Joshua . . .
“I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.”
Let’s move!
56
Wake up . . . Rahab . . .
Wake Up!
57
Come look at this.
What is happening? Mother?
The Israelites are here!
What?!
Run! Everyone! The Israelites are coming for us!
58
Soldiers! Assemble to hold off the enemies! NOW!!!
Arm yourself!
Get in position!
What are these loud noises?? Horns! How can it be that loud?
Look! Here they come!
59
60
The thing that they are carrying . . .
Could it be ...
The Ark of the Covenant ...
The holy thing that held back the Jordan so they could cross?
Yes, mother.
61
Is that Moses? No, mother. Moses is dead, remember? It’s their new leader.
You there! Leader of the Israelites! Show yourself!
62
This is the last warning! Do not get any closer!
What are they up to?
Everyone, get ready!
63
Rahab, get away from the window. I think they are going to attack the wall now.
No, wait, mother . . .
I think they are . . . parading?
Are you kidding me?
64
Their priests are just blowing the horns . . . What is going on?
What are they doing? They’re not even attacking, just walking around the city.
Wait . . . I think they stopped . . .
What are they up to now?
65
They are heading back! They are retreating!
They just leave? Like that? Right, go back to where you came from! Cowards!
Fellow citizens, the wall holds! We are safe!
The Israelites— what strange people . . .
......
66
Come, Rahab. Help me to prepare dinner. Yes, mum.
There must be a reason behind their actions.
There was determination on their faces, each and every one of them.
Rahab, are you okay?
I’m fine. The knife slipped off my hands.
What’s going on?
67
The next day, the Israelites held their parade again.
The following day too . . .
and also on the day after . . .
68
Yawn . . .
!?
Mum!!!
69
Mother! Where is my red rope?
The one that was hanging by the window?
YES.
I took it down.
Put it back!! That rope will ensure our safety when the Israelites attack!
70
Huh?
71
Eh . . .
The Israelite spies!
I don’t understand what is going on, but I know the two Israelites will keep their promise. When they take Jericho, my family will be safe.
72
On the seventh day, the Israelites assembled for their parade once again.
But this time, they didn’t stop after one round.
Something’s different about the Israelites today. They’re on their seventh round now.
Seven rounds in silence?
73
What’s going to happen now?
Hey! What are you waiting for? Raise your instruments and entertain us! Ha ha ha...
Israelites, get ready . . .
74
Something big is going to happen . . .
NOW!
75
What is happening??
76
Rahab’s brother
Ahh!!
Watch out!
What is going on out there?
Why is the entire house shaking so hard?
77
The wall . . . The wall has collapsed!
That day, Jericho was totally destroyed.
78
I was right to fear the Israelites and their God.
Jericho never stood a chance against them.
The Israelite soldiers quickly overcame the military. Nobody was able to stand in their way.
79
The time of reckoning for Jericho was here . . .
. . . and all I could do was wait and pray.
80
......
Gentlemen! Joshua.
It is time ...
. . . to honor your oath to the prostitute and rescue her and her family!
81
Rahab, how sure are you that those two Israelites won’t betray you?
The city is under attack.
Why should they choose to keep their oath to us? We are just another family among their enemies!
But . . .
82
They won’t break their promise.
Open the door! Open up!
Everyone! Behind me!
......
They are breaking down the door!
83
Back off!
Don’t you dare touch them!
84
Modern day . . .
That’s amazing.
But . . . What happened to her after that?
Of all people, God chose a prostitute to help His people and He spared her.
85
Rahab’s whole family was moved to safety, and she was accepted as one of the people of God.
Later she married a Jewish man named Salmon, and gave birth to Boaz.
Boaz?
Boaz, the man who married Ruth, who gave birth to Jesse, whose son was David, whose line eventually led all the way to . . .
Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.
86
She believed that God is the supreme God and she made her decisions accordingly.
So you see, Marie, Rahab may have made wrong choices in the past . . . but when she was given an opportunity to make it right, she did!
I’m not saying that your past choices don’t matter, but whatever lies behind us is not nearly as important as what God has planned ahead of us.
It is the same for us. Our past is irrelevant. Our future alone matters to God. Faith can blossom in any environment. Roses can grow in manure piles. Question is: Will you put your faith in Him?
87
Yes . . . I believe I can start afresh because . . .
The End 88
Decisions, decisions! What a story! What tension! Imagine being in Rahab’s position and watching the fearsome Israelites advancing towards your city. You’ve decided to help the enemy of your own people. If you’re caught, you’ll be accused of betrayal. And you’re not even sure if the Israelite spies will honor their oath to protect you. That’s when you begin to wonder, “Did I make the right choice?” Life is really full of decisions and choices, isn’t it? Some are small and some are big. It could be deciding where to eat with a friend. Or which school to study in. Or which friend to hang out with. Some seem less important than others. But sometimes, even the smallest decisions can make a big difference. Rahab, for example, probably made some bad choices in her life. We don’t know why or how she became a prostitute, but it affected the rest of her life. She must have regretted some of her past choices, which she could not undo. But you know what? At the end, Rahab made one right decision that changed everything. When she chose to throw her lot in with God and His people, she was saved from destruction. Yes, that one good choice redeemed her from all her past bad choices.
No one is too “bad� for God. No one is beyond His salvation. God can save anyone, and He can use anyone. He used a prostitute to save His people. And this prostitute became an ancestor of His own Son, Jesus! Like Marie, whose anguish we shared at the beginning, you may have made some bad choices in the past. But God does not hold them against you. All He wants is for you to make the right decision now. Read Eve & Rahab: Learning To Make Better Choices, and discover how you can make better choices in life.
Download Eve & Rahab:
Learning To Make Better Choices https://discoveryseries.org /courses/eve-and-rahab/
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Rahab the prostitute‛s life was about to take a dramatic turn. The two strangers in her house were unlike her usual clients seeking comfort in her embrace. They were spies from the fearsome Israelites, who had defeated mighty kings! Knowing the bitter consequences of bad choices, she now had to make a split-second decision: Report on them? Or betray her city by hiding them? Turn the pages to discover what Rahab did and how it changed her life.
© 2018 Our Daily Bread Ministries. All rights reserved. Author:
Rachel Ang Artist:
Lim Zhi Chuan Art Director:
Joshua Tan Layout:
Grace Goh Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. For information on our resources, please write to the office nearest you. For contact details, go to ourdailybread.org/locations
Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable Our Daily Bread Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.
QJ279