Wednesday, November 28, 2012

A Lineage of Grace - RAHAB

Rahab is the second female mentioned in the genealogy of Christ. Her story is found in Joshua 2 and Joshua 6. She is also mentioned in Hebrews 11 as someone who demonstrated great faith.

Rahab - was a prostitute. The people of Jericho including Rahab knew of the Israelites and how God had rescued them from Egypt and protected them in the desert. Because of this, the inhabitants of Jericho were afraid of the Israelites.

Moses had died and Joshua was now in charge of the Israelites. Because of their unbelief in God, God declared that they would wander in the wilderness for 40 years.  The period of 40 years was for the 'unbelieving generation' to die off, so they new generation could rise up and enter the land. The younger generation may have determined not to be as disbelieving as their elders.

Jericho was part of Canaan which was part of the land promised to Israel.  Joshua sent two spies to spy out the land. The spies took refuge in Rahab's house.  When questioned by a messenger of the King as to the spies' whereabouts she misled the king and told him that she had no idea where they were.  Rahab used her knowledge of her country and its customs to protect the spies. Rahab affirmed her belief in God and told the spies:
"....I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.  We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea[a] for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.[b]  When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below." Joshua 2: 9-11.  
She then asked the spies to promise that when they capture the land her and her family would be spared. 

“Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.” Joshua 2:13-14

When the Israelites captured the land they spared Rahab and her family. She lived with the Israelites for the remainder of her days and eventually had a son by the name of Boaz.

Can you relate to Rahab? Do you feel unworthy because of how you may be forced to make a living? Have you ever affirmed your belief in God like Rahab and changed the way you live? Tamar deceived Judah, Rahab misled the king - is deception ok? Did Rahab's actions demonstrate her trust in God?

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