Why did God bless Rahab when she told a lie? (Joshua 2:4–5)
Why did God bless Rahab when she told a lie? (Joshua 2:4–5) -- 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.”
Joshua 2:4 - 5
ESV - 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, "True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.
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Asked June 28 2018
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Jack Gutknecht
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For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Danny Hickman
How many of us have never lied?
God blesses mob bosses, gang leaders, murderers, con men, you name the sinner. There's nothing unusual about God showing favor for bad guys. Rahab wasn't known for lying, she was known for being a prostitute.
Slave traders and slave owners got wealthy buying and selling children, and working them from dawn to dark in the field, for no pay. Satan didn't protect them to Africa and back, God did.
If God didn't bless liars and adulterers He wouldn't bless anyone. Rahab deceived God's enemies. I don't think God got angry with her for doing it...
She protected the spies, which was evidently God's will. The spies made a covenant with her that her family would be spared. God didn't instruct them to do it, they did it on their own. God honored their word to her. What was He supposed to do, refuse to spare her family because she lied?