RAHAB…
As I started to unpack the story of Rahab my eyes were opened to what it really means to walk by faith!
God worked big time through Rahab the prostitute, a person in society we would tend to reject! Jesus hung out with people no one else wanted to associate with and while hanging out with them – He loved them!! So many times in life we pass by people, work with people or see people at church that don’t fit our mold and we refuse to associate…are we passing by a person God is about to use? Are we acting like we are too good to even speak to this person? Why do we think we are better than others? (Another blog for another day)
Okay…back to Rahab, she was a prostitute rejected by society and possibly even her family. But…she was keenly aware of what was going on with her enemies and discovered through stories she heard that the Israelites relied on a God worth “trusting.”
She is famously known for helping two Israelites spies hide from the Canaanite authorities after they “checked out” the town of Jericho. The town of Jericho would eventually be destroyed by God through the Israelite army.
Rahab was a risk taker by helping her enemies! She risked her life by giving the King’s army wrong info on which way the spies were traveling.
“…She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road.” James 2:25
What I love about Rahab is she trusted God wholeheartedly only by what she heard! Today we have the privilege to read the truth of God, Jesus, the Gospel, and the Holy Spirit through God’s Word, she only heard about the Almighty God!! Phew – this is walking by Faith and I admire her courage.
She was bold in action and did not fear the Israelites or the power their God possessed – she wanted to be part of it!! After she hid them she asked for a huge favor…
“Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them. “I know the LORD has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the LORD made a dry path for you through the Red Seab when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below. “Now swear to me by the LORD that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families.” Joshua 2:8-13
Rahab had sided with her Israelite enemies taking action out of LOVE for our God. She did not let fear affect her faith in God’s ability to deliver. She boldly asked God for help (a favor) through the spies!! She saved the spies and God saved her – a prostitute!
“…Only Rahab the prostitute and the others in her household will be spared, for she protected our spies.”
Joshua 6:17
What is even more incredible about the ending of her story is she was blessed by God for her faith! She was included in the bloodline of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!! She was the mother of Boaz and in the lineage of Jesus Christ!! She is also mentioned in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews. (Amazing – you all she was a prostitute!!!!)
“It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”
Hebrews 11:31
Like Rahab, we all have a story – so what is your story? Is God working through you and your past to save you or someone else through your story? Have you let go of the fear and gone after God with boldness; are you trusting Him by Faith that He will bring down the brick walls in your heart?!
Start today by telling your story to others and to God!! Then continue to seek after His son Jesus. Be bold for the Lord, get to know Jesus through God’s Word, and start walking by faith. He loves us no matter what, even if our past was a good past or bad past – God is love, He never changes. He wants to comfort us, love us, and forgive us for our sins. In the New Covenant we can only get to God and receive forgiveness through Jesus.
“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Rahab by faith alone did what was right and God took care of the rest! Her story inspires me to walk boldly by faith every day, get to know Jesus even more, stay in an intimate relationship with our God, and TRUST His plan!
Walk by faith my friends!
We love you all!
Stay Rooted,
Lisa & Heather
