🌿Rehab: The Brave Woman of Jericho with the Red Rope | Bible Stories for Kids

Meet Rehab

Hello friends! 👋 Today we're going to meet one of the most amazing women in the Bible - Rehab!

She was a woman who lived in a city called Jericho a very, very long time ago. What makes Rehab so awesome is that she made a super brave choice that changed her whole life! ✨

Rehab wasn't an Israelite (God's special people at that time), but she still believed in God's power and wanted to help His people. Even though everyone in her city was afraid of the Israelites, Rehab decided to be brave 🦸‍♀️ and do the right thing by helping God's people.

Her exciting story shows us that God can use ANYONE - no matter who they are or where they come from - to do amazing things!

And guess what? Rehab became so important that she's even mentioned in Jesus' family tree! How cool is that? 🤩

🌍 Fun Facts & Background 🌍

👑 The king of Jericho was super scared of the Israelites because he had heard how powerful their God was! Everyone in the city was afraid too 😨.

🕵️‍♀️ Rehab met two special Israelite spies who came to check out Jericho before their army arrived. They needed a safe place to hide!

🌊 Rehab had heard amazing stories about how God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites and helped them escape from Egypt. These stories made her believe in God's power 💪.

🌈 Even though Rehab wasn't born as one of God's special people, she became part of God's family because of her faith and brave choices!

⚡ Adventure Time! (Key Stories) ⚡

🔍 The Secret Mission

One day, Joshua (the leader of God's people after Moses) sent two brave men on a super secret mission: "Go check out the land across the Jordan River, especially the city of Jericho!" 🤫

The two spies traveled carefully until they reached the massive city with its giant walls. They needed a place to stay where they wouldn't be noticed, so they went to Rehab's house which was built right into the city wall.

But oh no! Someone spotted them and ran to tell the king! 👑 "Your Majesty! Israelite spies have come into our city tonight! They're staying at Rehab's house!"

The king immediately sent guards with a message: "Bring out the men who came to you – they are spies!"

🏠 A Brave Decision

Rehab had to make a super quick decision. Should she turn in the spies or help them? Her heart was pounding! 💓 She had heard amazing stories about the Israelites' powerful God who had done incredible miracles. Deep down, she believed those stories were true!

"Quick! Follow me!" she whispered to the spies. Rehab led them up to her flat roof where tall stalks of flax were drying in the sun. "Hide under these plants! Don't make a sound!" 🌾

Just in time! When the king's guards banged on her door, Rehab was ready with her clever plan.

"Yes, the men were here," she told the guards, "but they left at dusk before the city gates closed. If you hurry, you might catch them!" 🏃‍♂️ The guards rushed off, searching the road leading to the Jordan River. Meanwhile, the spies were safely hidden on Rehab's roof!

🌙 The Midnight Escape

That night, when the city was dark and quiet, Rehab went back to the spies. "I know that God has given this land to your people," she told them. "Everyone in Jericho is terrified because we've heard how your God dried up the Red Sea and helped you defeat mighty kings!" 😲

Then Rehab asked for something very important: "Please promise that you'll be kind to me and my family when your army attacks Jericho, just as I've been kind to you."

The spies agreed: "Our lives for yours! When God gives us this land, we'll treat you kindly and faithfully." 🙏

Since Rehab's house was built into the city wall, she had a perfect escape route! She found a strong, long rope and lowered them down from her window to the ground outside the city walls. 🧵

"Go hide in the hills for three days until the guards give up searching for you," she advised. "Then you can safely return to your camp." ⛰️

🧶 The Scarlet Cord

Before leaving, the spies gave Rehab special instructions: "Hang this bright red cord from your window. When our army attacks, anyone in your house will be safe as long as this red cord is hanging there." 🧶

Rehab quickly tied the scarlet cord to her window – it would be the special sign that would save her family!

Sure enough, when the Israelites returned and marched around Jericho for seven days, the mighty walls came tumbling down – CRASH! 💥

But Rehab's part of the wall didn't fall! The same two spies hurried to Rehab's house and brought her and her whole family safely out to the Israelite camp. God kept His promise through the spies, and Rehab and her family were saved! 🙌

🌟 What Can We Learn? 🌟

🙏 Faith Can Come From Listening: Rehab heard stories about God's amazing power, and she believed them! Pay attention when you hear about God's wonderful deeds – it helps faith grow! 👂

🦸‍♀️ Courage Means Doing Right When Scared: Rehab was probably scared, but she hid the spies anyway because it was right. Remember her courage when you face tough choices at school 🏫 or with friends 🤝! Ask God for help to be brave!

❤️ God Welcomes Everyone: Rehab wasn't born an Israelite, but she joined God's family through faith! God loves everyone, and anyone can be part of His family, no matter what. That includes you! 🌈

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 We Can Help Our Families Know God: Rehab saved her whole family! You can help your family learn about God's love too. Share a Bible story or pray together! 🏡

✨ God Keeps His Promises: God made sure the spies kept their promise to Rehab. God always keeps His promises to us too! Trust His promises in the Bible!

💬 Awesome Quotes & Bible Verses 💬

⭐ "By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies." (Hebrews 11:31)

This means Rehab is in God's special "Faith Hall of Fame"! Her faith was amazing and inspires us! So cool!

📖 "I know that the Lord has given you the land... for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath." (Joshua 2:9, 11)

These are Rehab's own words! She figured out that God was the real God who rules everything! Anyone can see how awesome God is! 🔍

🌌 "...for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above and on the earth below." (Joshua 2:11)

Rehab knew God wasn't small like the fake gods in Jericho. He's the God of EVERYTHING! This reminds us how big and powerful our God truly is!

🧠 Let's Think & Talk! 🧠

🎲 If you were a spy, how would you feel when Rehab helped you? Would you trust her? 🤔

🎭 Pretend you're Rehab watching the Israelites march. What would you think or feel each day? 👀

🧩 The scarlet cord was a special sign. Can you think of other important Bible signs? (Hint: Noah's ark 🌈, Passover lamb 🐑?)

🏠 Rehab was brave! Share a time you had to be brave to do the right thing. 💪

🌟 Rehab became part of Jesus' family tree! How does it feel knowing anyone can be part of God's family? 🤗

🌼 Prayer Corner 🌼

Dear God,

Thank You for Rehab's amazing story! 🙏 Thank You for showing us anyone can be part of Your family if they believe.

Help us be brave like Rehab with tough choices. Give us faith to trust Your promises, even when things seem tricky. ✨

Help us remember You are God of the whole world 🌍 and You always keep Your promises!

Thank You for loving us and welcoming us into Your family.

In Jesus' name, Amen ❤️