Today's Reading:

Joshua 1
Joshua 2
Psalm 105

The story of Rahab reminds us that God’s mercy is never limited by our past or where we come from. He uses unlikely people to accomplish His will. Rahab by the world’s standards has no status, power or reason to be remembered, yet here she is as an unlikely “Shero” to the Israelites and in the genealogy line of Jesus (Mother of Boaz in the Book of Ruth). God saw her faith and made her the hero of the story. While the fighting men prepared for battle, Joshua sent two spies to scout the land. Rahab acted with courage and protected God’s people trusting in the One she had heard about. Her faith saved her family reminding us that God’s kingdom is not set through perfect people, but through the loving and faithful hearts of those that trust Him. Rahab believed in God based only on what she had heard- what has God revealed about Himself to you? Are there any risks you take by choosing faith like Rahab? 

 

The book of Joshua is the transition period from Moses to Joshua as the leader over the Israelites. Joshua, commissioned by God, is called to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God repeated the promise “Be strong and courageous” three times to assure Joshua. God would be with him as he had been with Moses- “I will not leave you or forsake you,” echoing Deuteronomy 31:6.  

Joshua ordered the officers to prepare the men and reminded the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh (Transjordan tribes) that they were committed to help conquer the land. Remember, Joshua was once a spy himself when Moses sent the 12 out (Numbers 13). Joshua sent two spies across the Jordan River to Jericho. There, the spies came to the house of Rahab, a prostitute. The king, having heard that there were foreign Israelites in the city (most likely had informants or guards at the gates to the city), quickly sent men to Rahab. The spies most likely went to Rahab as she would have been discreet, and it was a place where strangers could blend in. Rahab quickly hid the spies under flax stalks on her roof. This quickness could have been from prior hiding of men; maybe she had done this before. Rahab lied to the king’s men about the spies leaving her establishment and said they went towards the Jordan fords (shallow crossing of the river).  

Discussing the situation with the spies, she claimed knowledge of the Lord and His plan to give the land to the Israelites. She had heard the events of the Red Sea and the Egyptians from 40 years ago! She also had knowledge of the defeat of Sihon and Og, the Amorite Kings. With widespread knowledge of the “God in heaven”, those in Canaan could have turned to God and followed Him instead of the pagan gods. Rahab pleaded for her life and the life of her family asking for mercy in exchange for hiding the men. She had faith. The spies agreed that anyone who stayed inside of the house would be saved, and she was to tie a red scarlet cord in her window as a symbol of protection (like the Passover blood). She saved her family by her righteous act. Her house was part of the city wall which meant the spies did not have to go back through the locked city gates. Rahab lowered the men out the window and told them to head towards the hills as she had led the king’s men towards the fords. The spies reported back to Joshua of good news that the people in Jericho were “melting in fear.”   

Psalm 105 was a song of praise to God for His covenant with Abraham, and protecting the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), sending Joseph to Egypt, the plagues, the exodus, wilderness provisions and giving the land inheritance. This psalm was a quick review of the events that led up to Joshua. Verse 105:44 “He gave them the lands of the nations” relates to the conquests starting with Joshua. This was a call to remember the faithfulness of God.  

 

Today's Discussion question: 

Rahab believed in God based only on what she had heard- what has God revealed about Himself to you? Are there any risks you take by choosing faith like Rahab?

 
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