Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 2 - Monday Commentary
Rahab’s Righteous Deception
In Joshua 2:2–11, Rahab the harlot chose to hide the Israelite spies and mislead the king of Jericho’s men. To some, this may seem like sin. But Scripture itself tells us how God viewed her choice: “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:31). James echoes this: “Was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?” (James 2:25). Her deception was not sinful—it was an act of faith, aligning herself with God’s people and God’s purposes, even when it meant defying her own nation.
Rahab was not the first to make such a choice. The midwives in Exodus refused Pharaoh’s orders and lied about why they would not kill the Hebrew infants. Scripture says God blessed them for it (Exodus 1:17–21). Joseph also disguised his identity from his brothers and tested them through a series of deceptions (Genesis 42–44), not to harm them but to bring them to repentance and reconciliation. These stories show us that deception, when used to protect life and advance God’s will, is not condemned but commended.
History is full of Christians who have done the same. Believers smuggled Bibles into closed nations under false pretenses. Families in Nazi-occupied Europe hid Jewish people, often deceiving authorities to save lives. Missionaries in hostile lands have disguised themselves or their work to spread the gospel. Were these acts sinful—or were they acts of courageous faith? Like Rahab, their allegiance was to God’s kingdom above earthly rulers.
When we look at the Ten Commandments, there is no version that condemns lying in general. The command is specific: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). What God forbids is malicious deception—false testimony that harms others. Rahab’s lie was not this. Her deception was righteous because it was rooted in faith, courage, and protection of God’s people.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to see with Your eyes. Too often we are quick to label others as sinful without understanding their faith, their motives, or the greater work You may be doing through them. Teach us to discern rightly, to recognize courage when it wears an unexpected face, and to honor those who act in faith even when their path looks unconventional. Give us grace not to judge hastily, but to trust that You see the heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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