Daily devotion – Rahab’s lie!
Was It Right for Rahab to Lie?
“Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, ‘Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from. They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.’”
— Joshua 2:4-5
The story of Rahab often raises a challenging question: Was her lie to protect the Israelite spies acceptable to God? This touches on the broader issue of “situational ethics,” which argues that the morality of an action depends on its outcome.
The Nature of Truth
The Bible consistently teaches that lying is sinful, aligning truth with the very character of God:
“The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” — Exodus 34:6
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” — John 4:24
Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” — John 14:6
In contrast, lying is associated with Satan, who is called “the father of lies” in John 8:44.
Rahab’s Actions: Recorded, Not Approved
Rahab’s faith is rightly celebrated in Scripture. Hebrews 11:31 commends her for welcoming the spies in peace, and James 2:25 praises her actions as evidence of her faith. However, it is important to note that the Bible never condones her lie.
The lie is recorded as part of the historical account but not endorsed as an acceptable action. God approved Rahab’s faith and the risk she took to protect His people, not her falsehood.
Trusting God in All Situations
Lying, even with seemingly good intentions, reflects a lack of trust in God’s ability to work out His plans. It suggests that we believe God needs our help, even if it means compromising His commands. Instead, the Bible encourages us to remain silent or speak truthfully, trusting in God’s sovereignty:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” — Proverbs 21:23
A Lesson for Us
In difficult situations, we may feel tempted to justify a “small lie” to achieve a greater good. However, this reasoning conflicts with the biblical principle that the end never justifies the means. God desires truth in our hearts and actions, and He is fully capable of accomplishing His purposes without our compromise.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to trust You fully, even in challenging circumstances. Teach us to value truth as You do and to resist the temptation to take matters into our own hands. May our words and actions reflect our faith in Your sovereignty and goodness. Amen.