MEMORY VERSE
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

LESSON
The Lord brought His people into the promised land. Now they had a task set before them: conquer the people living in the land. Before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, Joshua—in the way Moses had done decades before—sent scouts into the land. (See Num. 13:2-3.) The first city the Israelites came to was Jericho. God told Joshua that He had handed the city over to Israel.

The Lord’s reputation went ahead of the Israelites, creating fear in the people of Jericho. With the exception of one woman, the people of Jericho wanted nothing to do with God.

Rahab was unique among the inhabitants of Jericho. She wanted to be on God’s side. Hebrews 11:31 says that by faith, Rahab “welcomed the spies in peace.” Rahab didn’t hide the spies and help them escape from the city because she was especially courageous or because she had a strong desire to live; Rahab acted by faith. By faith Rahab believed God would win the battle, and she asked the spies to show mercy to her family and keep them safe. When the Israelites attacked Jericho, Rahab and her family received mercy and became part of God’s people. Jesus has won against sin and death. Everyone who trusts in Jesus receives mercy and becomes part of God’s family forever.

Rahab wasn’t the only one trusting in God. The Israelites fought the battle of Jericho by faith. (See Heb. 11:30.) Israel did not focus on what was going on inside the city of Jericho; they focused on doing what God had instructed. They obeyed even when it seemed nothing was happening. On the seventh day, the troops shouted, the trumpets sounded, and the wall around Jericho collapsed.

Joshua gave the people specific instructions to destroy everything in the city except for Rahab and her family. The Israelites were not to keep anything for themselves. The Lord would provide for all of their needs, so they had no reason to plunder Jericho. When the Israelites attacked Jericho, Rahab and her family were safe. They joined God’s people. (Josh. 6:25) By faith, we believe Jesus has defeated sin and death. Everyone who trusts in Jesus is safe and becomes part of God’s family forever.

FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS
Who knocked down the wall of Jericho?
Write down one or two ways you could show surprising love
to someone this week. Then follow through!
What are some ways God has taken care of your family?