Recently, I had the opportunity to give a devotional in a small group. My assigned topic was to choose a woman from the Bible. After skimming through what turned out to be a very long list, my eyes fell upon the name of Rahab. If you quickly flip through the Bible to each mention of Rahab, you find these facts.
· Joshua 2 tells us that Rahab was a prostitute in the city of Jericho. When the Israelite spies came into the city, they went to Rahab’s house and she hid them there from the king of Jericho. She not only provided protection for Israel’s spies, she also arranged for their escape.
· Joshua 6 mentions Rahab again, when the Israelites march around the city of Jericho and the walls “come tumbling down.” Under orders from Joshua, the spies rescue Rahab and her family from the rubble. Joshua spared her life and the lives of her family and they settled in the land to live with the Israelites.
· The next mention of Rahab is in the New Testament account of the genealogy of Christ in the book of Matthew. She is the wife of Salmon and the mother of Boaz.
· The fourth mention of Rahab is in Hebrews 11, the hall of faith. It simply says, “By faith, Rahab the prostitute did not perish…”
· Finally, we see Rahab used as a beautiful example in the book of James as a woman who puts action to her faith.
Yet, what do these simple facts tell us about Rahab’s life and her faith?
The first thing I noticed is that Rahab’s faith saved her. When the spies retrieved Rahab and her family from the Jericho ruins, they saved her life in a physical way. Nevertheless, it is her faith in God that saves her spiritually. We discover the evidence of her salvation when we see how she settled in the land of Israel. Her faith was a real, soul saving faith. A soul saving faith is also a life-changing faith. Instructions on how to transform your life fill the libraries and bookstores of the world. Only the work of God can accomplish true transformation for all eternity. According to the book of Matthew, Rahab married Salmon who is part of the tribe of Judah and the lineage of Christ. There is an ongoing work of God in her life. She gave up her past as a prostitute and took on her new, God given identity.
The second thing I noticed is that Rahab responded rightly. With a proper fear of God, she rejects the reaction of the crowd and follows the God of Israel. The whole city of Jericho was afraid. Rahab herself tells us the people of Jericho knew and heard of God and were very afraid. Still, she is the only one who bent her knee and bowed her heart to the God of heaven and earth. Think about the things that must have crossed her mind as she watched from her window while the Israelites marched around Jericho. Remember, she had a front row spot; her home was on the outside wall of the city. The citizens of Jericho knew that the people of Israel were about to storm their gates and yet they adamantly refused to acknowledge God. Rahab was a light in a dark world.
I want to leave you with two challenges. First, embrace your identity.
Rahab’s story is now our story. Salvation begins and ends with faith in Christ. When we place our trust in Christ as our Savior, we become his betrothed. This means we should commit to leaving behind our idolatrous and adulterer ways and take on our new identity. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Second, I challenge you to shine in a dark world.
Rahab’s testimony is now our example. As the time for Christ’s return grows closer, we will face the challenge to reject the response of the crowd and follow God. Just as Rahab stands steadfast in her faith, we must do likewise. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven.”
The message is clear; we are to walk in a manner worthy of His name. I’m going for a walk, I hope you’ll come along.
No comments:
Post a Comment