Congregational Bible Study (30 mins.) lfb lessons 30, 31.
Section 30 Analysis: Rahab Hides the Spies
Why did Rahab help the spies?
Rahab helped the spies because she had genuine faith in Jehovah and was convinced that He was the living God acting on behalf of Israel. She had heard about the miracles Jehovah performed in Egypt and how He parted the Red Sea to save His people. Although she was not an Israelite and lived surrounded by people who worshipped false gods, Rahab recognized that only Jehovah was the true God.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Rahab helped the spies because she had faith in Jehovah and knew He was with the Israelites. She believed Jehovah would give them the land and wanted to side with Him so her family would be safe.
Rahab helped the spies because she knew that Jehovah was with them and that the Israelites would conquer the land. She also wanted her family to be saved.
Rahab demonstrated that her faith was not just an internal belief, but rather a force that drove her to courageous action. She risked her life to protect the spies, demonstrating loyalty to Jehovah, even when it meant confronting her own city. Rahab realized that opposing Jehovah would lead to destruction, so she chose to stand on His side to save herself and her family.
What did the Israelites do to conquer Jericho?
The Israelites marched around the city of Jericho once a day for six days. On the seventh day, they marched seven times, the priests blew trumpets, and the soldiers shouted loudly. Then the city walls collapsed.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The Israelites obeyed Jehovah's instructions: They marched around the city once a day for six days. On the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times. Then the priests blew trumpets and the soldiers shouted loudly, and the walls of Jericho collapsed.
The Israelites conquered Jericho by carefully obeying Jehovah's instructions, even though the method seemed unusual from a human perspective. For six days they marched around the city once a day, in complete silence, following exactly what Jehovah had commanded.
On the seventh day they marched seven times, and when the priests blew the trumpets and the people shouted at the top of their lungs, Jehovah performed a miraculous act. The high, impenetrable walls collapsed instantly.
This victory was not due to military power or human strategies, but to faith and obedience to the true God. This account teaches us that great spiritual achievements are achieved when we fully trust in Jehovah and follow his instructions without question.
What happened to Rahab and her family?
Rahab and her family were saved because she demonstrated true, active faith in Jehovah. She not only believed, but acted: she protected the spies and obeyed the instruction to place a red cord in her window as a sign of trust in God's promise. Although her house stood on the wall of Jericho, which was miraculously destroyed, Jehovah made her home stand firm to protect her and her family.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Rahab and her family were saved because she obeyed the spies' instructions and trusted in the Lord. Although her house was within the walls, it did not fall when they collapsed, and all those inside were safe.
Rahab and her family were saved because she trusted in Jehovah and followed the spies' instructions, leaving a red cord in her window. Although her house was built against the wall, it did not fall.
Thanks to their faith, Rahab and her family were rescued, integrated into God's people, and greatly blessed. In fact, Rahab became part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5), which shows how much Jehovah values and rewards sincere faith, regardless of a person's past. This demonstrates that Jehovah can take care of his servants, even when everything around them seems to be falling apart.
What does this story teach us about Jehovah?
This story teaches us that Jehovah is faithful, powerful, and keeps his promises. He protected Rahab and her family because she showed faith and helped his people. It also shows that Jehovah values faith and obedience, even from people who were not originally his people, like Rahab. Furthermore, it reveals that Jehovah is in control of all things, for he caused the walls of Jericho to fall, giving Israel victory.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
This story teaches us that Jehovah is faithful and keeps his promises. It also shows that he protects and blesses those who trust in him and obey him, regardless of their background or where they come from.
This story teaches us that Jehovah is a powerful God who keeps his promises and fights for his people when they obey him in faith. Jehovah didn't need human weapons or military strategies to tear down the walls of Jericho; he demonstrated that his power is far beyond any human strength.
It teaches us that Jehovah rewards exact obedience. The Israelites followed every instruction to the letter, even when it seemed strange, and Jehovah acted at just the right time.
Jehovah showed mercy by saving Rahab and her family, reminding us that he deeply values those who put their faith in him and stand by him. This reveals that Jehovah is just, faithful, merciful, and fully capable of fulfilling all his promises.
What practical lessons can we learn from this story?
We can learn that having faith in Jehovah and acting courageously brings blessings. It also teaches us the importance of obeying God's instructions, as the Israelites did, and of fully trusting that Jehovah can save us and care for us in any situation.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We can learn that true faith is demonstrated by actions. Rahab not only said she believed in Jehovah, but she acted on that faith by helping the spies and following their instructions.
We can learn that Jehovah rewards faith and obedience. Although Rahab was a woman from Jericho, Jehovah protected and blessed her for trusting in Him.
We can learn that we can trust in Jehovah's power. Just as he tore down the walls of Jericho, Jehovah can help us overcome any obstacle if we trust in Him.
We can learn that Jehovah is merciful. He is willing to forgive and accept those who turn to Him in sincere faith, regardless of their background or origin.
A practical lesson we learn is that obedience to Jehovah, even when we don't fully understand the reason for his instructions, always brings blessings. This reminds us that spiritual success comes not from our own abilities, but from trusting in Jehovah and faithfully obeying his guidance.
Another practical lesson we learn is that the Israelites did not rely on human strategies to conquer Jericho, but simply followed exactly what Jehovah commanded them, and it was that obedience that gave them victory.
Section 31 Analysis: Joshua and the Gibeonites
What did the Gibeonites do to protect themselves?
The Gibeonites disguised themselves with old clothes and worn sandals to make it appear they had traveled a long way. With this deceptive appearance, they convinced Joshua and the Israelites to make a peace pact with them, obtaining a promise not to attack or harm them.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The Gibeonites used a cunning strategy: they disguised themselves in old, worn-out clothes and pretended to come from a distant land to make a peace pact with the Israelites. They did this because they knew that Jehovah was fighting for Israel, and they were afraid of being destroyed.
The Gibeonites deceived Joshua and the Israelites to protect themselves. They dressed in old, worn-out clothes and claimed to have come from a distant land. In this way, they persuaded Joshua to make a pact with them and promise not to attack them.
How did Jehovah help the Israelites?
Jehovah helped the Israelites by giving them victory in the battle against the five Canaanite kings who attacked the Gibeonites. He sent great hailstones that fell on their enemies, and he also stopped the sun in the sky so that the Israelites would have more time to defeat them. This showed Jehovah's great power and that He was with His people.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jehovah intervened directly in the battle to help his people: He sent great hailstones that fell on their enemies. He caused the sun to stand still, so that the Israelites would have more time to completely defeat the Canaanite kings and their armies.
Jehovah intervened directly in the battle, sending a supernatural storm with enormous hailstones that rained down upon the enemy. These stones not only caused great destruction, but also killed more enemy soldiers than the Israelites defeated with their own weapons, demonstrating that victory did not depend on human strength, but on the power of God.
What does this story teach us about Jehovah?
This account teaches us that Jehovah is powerful, faithful, and keeps his promises. He fought for his people Israel and helped them overcome their enemies in miraculous ways. It also shows that Jehovah hears the prayers of those who fully trust in Him, as He did with Joshua when he stopped the sun. Furthermore, it teaches us that Jehovah is just and merciful, for He allowed the Gibeonites to live by recognizing their fear and respect for Him.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
This story teaches us that Jehovah is a powerful and faithful God who fights for his people. He can even use the forces of nature—such as hail or the sun—to protect those loyal to him. It also shows that Jehovah keeps his promises and supports those who trust in him.
This story teaches us that Jehovah is a faithful God, who supports his people and fulfills his promises, even when others act deceitfully or in opposition.
It teaches us that although the Gibeonites deceived Joshua, Jehovah did not abandon the Israelites. When five Canaanite kings united to attack them, Jehovah intervened powerfully: He sent hail down from the sky and stopped the sun so that his people would have time to achieve victory.
These facts demonstrate that Jehovah has absolute control over nature and the weather, and that he is willing to perform extraordinary miracles to protect those who trust in him and remain loyal to their commitments.
What practical lessons can we learn from this story?
We learn that we must trust Jehovah completely, just as Joshua did, who did not hesitate to ask for a miracle because of his strong faith. Jehovah protects and helps those who act in faith and obey him. Keeping our promises is important, even when we discover that others were not entirely sincere, just as Joshua did with the Gibeonites.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
A practical lesson we learn is that we should always consult Jehovah before making important decisions, rather than relying solely on our own understanding. Joshua and the Israelites quickly accepted the Gibeonites' story without seeking Jehovah's guidance, and as a result, they made a covenant based on a lie.
This example teaches us that even if something seems logical or harmless from a human perspective, it is always wise to seek Jehovah's guidance through prayer and the study of his word. When we allow Jehovah to guide our decisions, we avoid serious mistakes and demonstrate that we trust him above our own wisdom.
We learn that we must trust Jehovah completely. Joshua trusted Jehovah to help him, and He responded with power, helping him overcome his enemies in miraculous ways.
We learn that Jehovah always keeps his promises. Joshua kept his word to the Gibeonites, and this reminds us of the importance of being trustworthy people, just like Jehovah.
We learn that Jehovah can do impossible things for his faithful servants. If we trust in him, he can give us strength and solutions in difficult situations.
We learn that the fear and respect of Jehovah can save us. Just as the Gibeonites sought protection by recognizing Jehovah's power, we too must approach Him with humility and faith.
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