The story of Rahab begins in this lesson and will finish in two weeks, during the lesson on Jericho. The next three lessons are intertwined (Rahab, Joshua and the crossing of the Jordan, and Jericho).
After being in the desert for 40 years, it was time for the Israelites to enter the land of Canaan. Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land. He was disobedient to God when he struck the rock multiple times, out of anger (see Numbers 20:9-13). At this point in the story, Moses had died (Deut 34:5). Before he died, he commissioned Joshua as the leader of the Israelites.
Joshua was preparing the Israelites to enter the promised land, so he sent out 2 spies to go ahead of them and do a reconnaissance mission. He told them to pay special attention to Jericho - presumably because it was such a well-fortified city. They stayed at Rahab's house, who was a prostitute (you don't need to emphasize this point in your class). The king of Jericho got wind that these 2 spies were in his city and at Rahab's house (apparently they weren't all that good at being spies...). He sent for Rahab to give over the spies to him. Rahab had hidden them on her roof under some flax and told the messenger that these two strange men came to her, but they left, and she didn't know which way they went. Go get them! (Apparently, she was better at the whole spy thing than the two Israelite spies).
Jericho was heavily fortified with big walls. Rahab's house made up part of the city walls. After the messengers left, she went up to the roof to let the spies go. Rahab told the spies that everyone in Jericho was terrified of the Israelites. So she made a pact with them, that if the Israelites did in fact come back to conquer Jericho, they would spare her household. The spies agreed and told her that in order for the Israelite army to recognize who they should save, she should lower a scarlet cord down from her window. She agreed and lowered a rope to let the spies out of the city wall where she lived.
The spies had gotten all the information they needed to go back to Joshua and tell him with confidence that the Lord would in fact deliver Jericho to them and that they would win the battle.
Have you ever had to hide something from someone (like a present)? Who were you trying to hide it from and what did you do? Did they find it?
In today's story, we're going to learn about a woman who helped hide 2 Israelite spies in the city of Jericho.
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
Older students can listen directly out of a verse-by-verse Bible, since the story is not long (just be careful when you come across the word "prostitute"...)
Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud: Joshua 2:8-12, 15-18
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
Scripture Do not commit murder. Exodus 20:13
Supplies colored beads, leather, string
Scripture Joshua, the son of Nun, sent two spies from Shittim. He sent them in secret. He said to them, "Go. Look the land over. Most of all, check out Jericho." Joshua 2:1
Supplies random objects, piece of cardboard or large book to hide objects
Scripture The men said to her, "You made us take an oath and make a promise. But we won't keep it unless you do what we say. When we enter the land, you must tie this bright red rope in the window. Tie it in the window you let us down through. "Bring your father and mother into your house. Also bring your brothers and everyone else in your family into your house. Joshua 2: 17-18
Supplies Red Ribbon
Scripture But the woman had hidden the two men. She said, "It's true that the men came here. But I didn't know where they had come from. They left at sunset, when it was time to close the city gate. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You might catch up with them." But in fact she had taken them up on the roof. There she had hidden them under some flax she had piled up. Joshua 2:4-6
Supplies Equal number of different colored ribbons, or pipe cleaners (green, yellow, etc), 1 red ribbon (or pipe cleaner), timer, large space with places to hide, inside or out
Scripture Joshua, the son of Nun, sent two spies from Shittim. He sent them in secret. He said to them, "Go. Look the land over. Most of all, check out Jericho." Joshua 2:1
Supplies clipboard, paper pens
Scripture The house Rahab lived in was part of the city wall. So she let the spies down by a rope through the window. Joshua 2:15
Supplies cereal box for each student, Brown paper, black marker, red yard, glue, white paper
Scripture The house Rahab lived in was part of the city wall. So she let the spies down by a rope through the window. Joshua 2:15
Supplies Rice Krispies, strawberries, Twizzler peel and pull
Scripture The men said to her, "You made us take an oath and make a promise. But we won't keep it unless you do what we say. When we enter the land, you must tie this bright red rope in the window. Tie it in the window you let us down through. "Bring your father and mother into your house. Also bring your brothers and everyone else in your family into your house. Joshua 2: 17-18
Supplies different colors of red yarn, string or ribbon
Heads up! Use this activity in conjunction with the Anchor the Rope activity
Scripture The house Rahab lived in was part of the city wall. So she let the spies down by a rope through the window. Joshua 2:15
Supplies Rappelling equipment or a computer/iPad
Scripture The house Rahab lived in was part of the city wall. So she let the spies down by a rope through the window. Joshua 2:15
Supplies Rope