Congregation Bible Study for the week of October 26–November 1, 2026

Chapter 14: He Put Jehovah Above His Own People

In what ways did Rahab show courage?

Comment 1: Rahab showed courage by choosing to take Jehovah’s side, even though she lived in a city that was terrified and opposed to Israel. She understood that Jehovah was the true God and did not allow fear of her neighbors to determine her decision.

Comment 2: She also showed courage by hiding the spies and misleading the king’s men. She knew that if they discovered what she had done, her life would be in danger. Even so, she protected Jehovah’s servants because she had faith in him.

Comment 3: Her courage was not limited to one night. Rahab tied the scarlet cord, kept the spies’ mission secret, and gathered her family into the house. She carefully followed the instructions, trusting that Jehovah would fulfill his promise.

2. How do we know that the spies did not go to Rahab’s house with immoral intentions? (it “Prostitute” par. 16)

Joshua 2:1 — Then Joshua the son of Nun secretly sent two men out from Shittim as spies. He told them: “Go and inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab, and they stayed there.

Comment 1: The account says that the spies came to Rahab’s house and stayed there, but it gives no indication of immoral intentions. It was a place where they could go unnoticed, and the house’s location on the wall would make it easier for them to escape.

Comment 2: Rahab’s house may not have aroused suspicion in a city such as Jericho. So, from a practical standpoint, it was a suitable place to obtain information and plan an escape without immediately attracting attention.

Leviticus 18:24-30 — “‘Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, for it is by all these things that the nations that I am driving out from before you have made themselves unclean. Therefore, the land is unclean, and I will bring punishment on it for its error, and the land will vomit its inhabitants out. But you yourselves must keep my statutes and my judicial decisions, and you must not do any of these detestable things, whether a native or a foreigner who is residing among you. For all these detestable things were done by the men who lived in the land before you, and now the land is unclean. Then the land will not have to vomit you out for defiling it in the same way that it will vomit out the nations that were before you. If anyone does any of these detestable things, all those doing them must be cut off from among their people. You must keep your obligation to me by not practicing any of the detestable customs that were carried on before you, so that you do not make yourselves unclean by them. I am Jehovah your God.’”

Comment 3: Jehovah was executing judgment against the Canaanites because of their detestable practices. Therefore, it would be completely unreasonable to think that he would have blessed a mission if the spies had participated in the same immorality for which Canaan was being punished.

James 2:25 — In the same manner, was not Rahab the prostitute also declared righteous by works after she received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way?

Comment 4: James highlights Rahab’s hospitable reception of the messengers and her sending them out by another way. The emphasis is on her faith and the works by which she supported God’s servants, not on her past or on immoral conduct.

Comment 5: Jehovah guided matters so that the spies found a woman who was willing to put faith in him. Rahab proved to be the right person to protect them and tell them that Jericho was demoralized.

Comment 6: In addition, Jehovah blessed both the conquest of Jericho and Rahab. She later left her former way of life, joined Israel, and started a family. The entire account confirms that the spies acted with a clean and proper purpose.

3. Why did Rahab have stalks of flax laid in rows on the roof, and what was flax used for? (it “Flax, I” pars. 2-4)

Joshua 2:6 — (However, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among stalks of flax laid in rows on the roof.)

Comment 1: The stalks were on the roof, probably to dry. This naturally explains how Rahab was able to hide the spies among them. Jehovah can use even everyday circumstances to protect those who do his will.

Comment 2: Flax was a plant cultivated since ancient times. A fiber used to make cloth was obtained from its stalks. Therefore, the stalks on the roof may have been part of the household’s normal work.

Exodus 9:31 — Now the flax and the barley had been struck down, because the barley was in the ear and the flax had flower buds.

Comment 3: This text shows that flax was harvested when it was flowering. After being pulled up, it was left to dry. Thus, the stalks that Rahab had laid in rows were probably there as part of this preparation process.

Comment 4: To make use of flax, the useful fiber had to be separated from the woody part of the stalk. The fibers were then dried, beaten, and combed. It was careful work that produced a valuable raw material for various uses.

Comment 5: The inner fibers were whiter and of better quality, so they were spun to make cloth. This helps us see that flax was not simply a pile of plants but a material that required time and work.

Matthew 12:20 — No bruised reed will he crush, and no smoldering wick will he extinguish, until he brings justice with success.

Comment 6: The fibers closest to the bark could be used for wicks. The reference to a smoldering wick reminds us that Jehovah values what may seem weak. He saw Rahab’s faith and gave her the opportunity to demonstrate it courageously.

Comment 7: The detail about the flax stalks confirms the simple authenticity of the account. Rahab acted quickly, using something she already had at home. Her faith was not passive; she used the available means to protect the spies.

4. Why was it not wrong for Rahab to deceive the king’s men? (w04 12/1 p. 9 par. 1)

Comment 1: Rahab was not obligated to reveal the spies’ whereabouts to men who wanted to harm them. She had chosen to take Jehovah’s side and protected those who were carrying out a mission related to his purpose.

Matthew 7:6 — “Do not give what is holy to dogs nor throw your pearls before swine, so that they may never trample them under their feet and turn around and rip you open.

Comment 2: Jesus taught that holy things should not be given to those who would despise them. Similarly, Rahab did not hand over information that opponents would use to harm God’s servants. Her objective was not to cause harm but to protect them.

John 7:3-10 — So his brothers said to him: “Leave here and go into Judea, so that your disciples may also see the works you are doing. For no one does anything in secret when he seeks to be known publicly. If you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” His brothers were, in fact, not exercising faith in him. So Jesus said to them: “My time has not yet arrived, but your time is always at hand. The world has no reason to hate you, but it hates me, because I bear witness about it that its works are wicked. You go up to the festival; I am not yet going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” So after he told them these things, he remained in Galilee. But when his brothers had gone up to the festival, then he also went up, not openly but in secret.

Comment 3: Jesus himself acted discreetly when there was opposition. This shows that being truthful does not require revealing all information to those who have no right to know it and intend to use it for bad purposes.

James 2:24-26 — You see that a man is to be declared righteous by works and not by faith alone. In the same manner, was not Rahab the prostitute also declared righteous by works after she received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way? Indeed, just as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Comment 4: James mentions Rahab’s action of sending the messengers out by another way as one of the works that demonstrated her faith. Jehovah did not condemn her for protecting them; he recognized that she acted with faith and loyalty.

Comment 5: This account does not change the Bible’s command to tell the truth. Rather, it teaches that there are situations in which God’s enemies have no right to confidential information. We need discernment, discretion, and loyalty to Jehovah.

Why did Rahab need courage to leave her immoral way of life and worship Jehovah with the Israelites? What can those studying the Bible learn from her example?

Comment 1: Rahab had to break with a humiliating life and with Jericho’s immoral environment. In addition, she had to leave her own people and take the side of a nation that was going to conquer the city. No doubt, that required faith and great courage.

Comment 2: She did not allow her past to determine her future. What she heard about Jehovah gave her hope because she saw that he was just, clean, and good. Those studying the Bible can also trust that Jehovah dignifies those who want to change.

Comment 3: Rahab acted in harmony with what she learned. She protected the spies, followed their instructions, and gathered her family. Her example encourages Bible students to take concrete steps to abandon wrong conduct and serve Jehovah.

The Bible tells us that we must not lie. However, enemies of God’s people may pressure us to reveal confidential information about our brothers. In such cases, what can we learn from Rahab’s example? (Prov. 11:13; Eccl. 3:7; Eph. 4:25) C

Proverbs 11:13 — A slanderer goes about revealing confidential talk, But the trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

Comment 1: Proverbs shows that a trustworthy person keeps confidences. Therefore, we should not disclose personal matters or information that could endanger our brothers. Being trustworthy is one way to demonstrate loyal love.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 — A time to rip apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak;

Comment 2: There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. If someone hostile pressures us for information about our brothers, Rahab’s example teaches us not to cooperate with those who intend to harm God’s people.

Ephesians 4:25 — Therefore, now that you have put away deceit, each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, because we are members belonging to one another.

Comment 3: Ephesians commands us to put away deceit and speak the truth. Thus, we must be honest in our dealings with our brothers. But telling the truth does not mean handing confidential information to people who have no right to it.

Comment 4: We need balance. We do not lie or make up answers, but neither do we reveal details that could cause harm. In situations involving pressure, we can be respectful and discreet, trusting that Jehovah will help us remain loyal.

In what other ways can you imitate Rahab’s courageous example?

Comment 1: We can imitate Rahab by respectfully defending what we know to be right, even if those around us think differently. She did not allow her city’s opinion to be more important than what she had learned about Jehovah.

Comment 2: We can also be courageous by obeying instructions even when they seem simple. Rahab tied the scarlet cord, remained in the house, and gathered her family. Her safety depended on obedience, and she did not take those instructions lightly.

Comment 3: Another way to imitate her is to use our circumstances to support Jehovah’s servants. Rahab used her house and her knowledge of the city to help the spies. We can look for practical ways to support our brothers.

What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

Comment 1: Jehovah is just. He carried out the punishment he had decided on against Jericho because of its horrible practices, but at the same time he saw Rahab’s faith. He does not judge people only by their past but by what they do after coming to know him.

Comment 2: Jehovah protects those who take his side. Rahab obeyed the instructions she received, and she and her family survived when Jericho fell. This assures us that Jehovah never forgets those who demonstrate faith and loyalty.

Comment 3: We also learn that Jehovah dignifies people. Rahab wanted a better life, left her immoral conduct, and became part of Israel. Jehovah gave her a future she surely would not have imagined.

How does this account relate to Jehovah’s purpose and the Bible’s main theme?

Comment 1: The conquest of Jericho showed that Jehovah was carrying out his purpose to give the Promised Land to Israel. He protected his people and executed his judicial decisions, demonstrating that his promises always come true.

Comment 2: The account also highlights a central Bible theme: Jehovah blesses those who exercise faith, regardless of their background. Rahab was not an Israelite, but she recognized Jehovah’s authority and acted in harmony with that faith.

Comment 3: Jehovah allowed Rahab to become part of Israel and to have descendants. In time, Jesus Christ was born through her family line. Thus, her story is connected with the development of the line leading to the Messiah.

What would I like to ask Rahab when she is resurrected?

Comment 1: We might ask her what most convinced her that Jehovah was the true God: what she had heard about the Red Sea, Israel’s victories, or the way Jehovah protected his people.

Comment 2: It would also be very interesting to ask her how she managed to gather her family into the house and keep them calm during the battle. Her experience could help us appreciate even more the trust she placed in the instructions she received.

Comment 3: Perhaps we would like to know how she felt when she began a new life among the Israelites. Her answer would surely strengthen our confidence that Jehovah can give a happy future to those who leave a bad course behind and worship him.