Did God commend or approve Rahab's lie?

[Randy777]

Did God commend or approve Rahab's lie?

God noted her faith. She hid the spies because she believed God. She was not under the law of Moses at that time if ever.

Likewise I believe God noted the faith of the widow of Zarephath.

“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

It was noted in regard to the Passover in Egypt that some Egyptians fled with the Israelite's. If those Egyptians painted the door frames of their homes with blood the death angel would not enter. By their faith they would have spared their firstborn. Likewise if some foolish Israelite's refused to obey Gods command and didn't brush the blood on their door frames the death angel would not have Passover their homes. God set the condition and it wasn't heritage though the condition was given to the children of Jacob. Likewise God set the condition on the forgiveness of sins. Faith in Jesus. Jesus is called our Passover lamb.

 

[timewerx]

What do you say?

God's laws / rules aren't really set in stone...

Even Jesus broke Sabbath to do good works.

The utter silliness of man is they think laws are set in stone, even if the law becomes an obstacle to the greater good.

 

[Carl Emerson]

On the one hand you admit you are still trying to find the answer.

On the other hand you relate to posters as if they are uninformed and you have a better view of scripture.

Which is it?

 

[crossnote]

What do you say?

He approved...
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
(Heb 11:31)
(sorry I was late for the party).

 

[RDKirk]

He approved...
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
(Heb 11:31)
(sorry I was late for the party).

Now, let me say something about that. The typical Internet debater will quickly point out that the wording does not explicitly say that the specific act for which Rabab is honored was the misdirection of the Jericho soldiers.

Those are people who are so hung up on their own conclusion that they don't read scripture with understanding of how scripture works.

If Rahab was to be criticized for any of her actions, scripture narrative would either include a the negative consequence of that action or criticize that action by a later speaker.

However, the only thing we see either in the initial story or later reference is nothing but praise for Rahab. The Lord fully approves of what she did that day, all of it being the result of her faith.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Does not this issue underline the fact the the Law is not perfectly able to prescribe what is the right action in every circumstance.

Is this not why Jesus died to break it's curse and put His living Law in our hearts instead?

Now we have the Spirits conviction within that corresponds to the very heart of God in every circumstance !!

Now we hear the very intent of His Perfect Law.

 

[crossnote]

Now, let me say something about that. The typical Internet debater will quickly point out that the wording does not explicitly say that the specific act for which Rabab is honored was the misdirection of the Jericho soldiers.

Those are people who are so hung up on their own conclusion that they don't read scripture with understanding of how scripture works.

If Rahab was to be criticized for any of her actions, scripture narrative would either include a the negative consequence of that action or criticize that action by a later speaker.

However, the only thing we see either in the initial story or later reference is nothing but praise for Rahab. The Lord fully approves of what she did that day, all of it being the result of her faith.

Yes and the context is in with others that were praised for their faith. I would respond to those 'internet debaters' that her action was considered as a whole...taking in the spies, reciting the stories their God had done, hiding the spies sending them out, and letting down the scarlet cord all as an act of faith.

 

[crossnote]

Does not this issue underline the fact the the Law is not perfectly able to prescribe what is the right action in every circumstance.

Is this not why Jesus died to break it's curse and put His living Law in our hearts instead?

Does not this issue underline the fact the the Law is not perfectly able to prescribe what is the right action in every circumstance.

Is this not why Jesus died to break it's curse and put His living Law in our hearts instead?

Now we have the Spirits conviction within that corresponds to the very heart of God in every circumstance !!

Now we hear the very intent of His Perfect Law.

Yes in conundrums created by the law, sometimes the best we can do is choose the lesser of two evils which I believe Rahab did.

 

[DamianWarS]

What do you say?

I say you are grasping at straws.

 

[zoidar]

Did God commend or approve Rahab's lie?

The commandment to not lie, doesn't mean it's always a sin to lie. If I'm sheltering Jews in my basement and the Nazis ask me if I'm hiding Jews, of course it's no sin to tell them no.

 

[Dave L]

No. I perfectly understand that there is a difference between murder, and God commanding the OT saint to take life in war time. Is this the same for lying? Is lying during war time not lying in the traditional sense? I cannot fully answer that at this time. I am still seeking the truth out on this matter. I did once believe that one could lie as a tactic during war time in the OT. Now, I am not so sure about that.

Aren't wars based on lies and greed? Can you think of any in our times that are not? Vietnam was a lie based war. They lied about Sadan's WMDs. ????https://www.globalresearch.ca/millions-of-evangelical-christians-want-to-start-world-war-iii-to-speed-up-the-second-coming/29362 How big of a lie is this coming from churches infested with dispensationalism?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I say you are gasping at straws.

Currently, I am actually on the fence on this one.
Check out post #2.

Blessings to you in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Aren't wars based on lies and greed? Can you think of any in our times that are not? Vietnam was a lie based war. They lied about Sadan's WMDs. ????https://www.globalresearch.ca/millions-of-evangelical-christians-want-to-start-world-war-iii-to-speed-up-the-second-coming/29362 How big of a lie is this coming from churches infested with dispensationalism?

Jesus is going to return in a great battle and destroy those nations that come up against Him.
God commanded the Israelites to go to war in the OT.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The commandment to not lie, doesn't mean it's always a sin to lie. If I'm sheltering Jews in my basement and the Nazis ask me if I'm hiding Jews, of course it's no sin to tell them no.

Is this just your own thinking or is this based on the Bible? We cannot let our own thoughts always rule. Yes, I believe our conscience holds part of the answer. We cannot ignore what is purely good, and right. Yet, is our motives good before both man and God? This is why we also need to look to the Bible, and not our own experience alone of what we think; Especially when these ideas may seem like a quick fix, and may be in the our own best interests and not the interests of God. I am actually a bit on the fence on this topic now (holding to two possible positions), and I am asking the Lord for the answer again, and I am doing a topical study on lying to determine the truth on this matter. You know, that whole "Berean" thing?

The two positions I think are a possibility are:

#1. Rahab lied, but it was not done for entirely selfish motives (but to protect others), and God was able to look past this as a minor transgression, and look to her faith.

#2. Rahab did not lie according to the 9th commandment (which is to bear false witness to cover a sin or to be untruthful to one's fellow Israelite), and she was employing an OT saint art of war tactic to protect life.​

I will update this new line of thinking at the beginning of my thread, too.

Anyways, as for your point with a person trying to save Jews from the Nazi's during WWII: Well, one does not have to lie to save their lives. As I said before in this thread already, if a person was hiding Jews in their home during WWII, they could say to the Nazi's:

"Do you see any Jews around here?"
"I don't see any Jews here."
"But feel free to look around if you like."
​

So a person does not have to lie in order to protect life.

​

Side Note:

Oh, and you may be interested in this thread topic I recently created here:

Can Christians Promote False Images of Jesus?

Peace, and blessings be unto you in the Lord.

 

[Dave L]

Jesus is going to return in a great battle and destroy those nations that come up against Him.
God commanded the Israelites to go to war in the OT.

This is not exactly true. Armageddon is a spiritual battle now raging against the Church. When he returns it is to resurrect deceased believers, produce the rapture, and judge and annihilate the wicked. As Peter says, the heavens and earth pass away with a loud noise (big bang), and the New Heavens and Earth emerge.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Hello there Highlighter! Good to see you today. I hope all is well. I have a question for you regarding Romans 5:13. You see, it says that before the Law, sin was not imputed. Now before Moses, this clearly says they were not held accountable for breaking God's Law. But Rehab was after Moses. But she likely did not understand the 10 commandments anyway. Does Romans 5:13 apply to her?

Hello Allen Clark. Thank you for the warm greetings, and asking if I am doing well.
I am good. So thank you.

As for your question in regards to Romans 5:13.
I feel that type of discussion deserves it's own thread, my friend.
So I recently created a thread discussion to answer this here:

Is Romans 5:13 saying that men were not punished for their sin before the Law of Moses?

Blessings be unto you in the Lord today.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

This is not exactly true. Armageddon is a spiritual battle now raging against the Church. When he returns it is to resurrect deceased believers, produce the rapture, and judge and annihilate the wicked. As Peter says, the heavens and earth pass away with a loud noise (big bang), and the New Heavens and Earth emerge.

So Jesus coming down from out of the clouds in Revelation 19 means what exactly?

 

[Dave L]

So Jesus coming down from out of the clouds in Revelation 19 means what exactly?

Revelation is symbolic. It is dangerous to fix an interpretation of it. Most prophecy is only understood after fulfillment.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Revelation is symbolic. It is dangerous to fix an interpretation of it. Most prophecy is only understood after fulfillment.

Some can say that Jesus dying on the cross is symbolic, too. Sorry, neither the gospels, and or Revelation 19 reads like pure poetry or metaphor. But knock yourself out if that is your cup of tea. Just know it is not how basic English works.

 

[Dave L]

Some can say that Jesus dying on the cross is symbolic, too. Sorry, neither the gospels, and or Revelation 19 reads like pure poetry or metaphor. But knock yourself out if that is your cup of tea. Just know it is not how basic English works.

You can interpret Revelation by the NT scriptures. But you cannot interpret them by Revelation.