My Lord:

When my family and I heard of your majestic deeds, we knew there was no other God like you: “The God of Israel”, You alone are the Lord, God in heaven above and on the earth below! When the two men from your people were sent to scout our land, I was moved to save them, hiding them from the king´s men who came to my house looking for them.  Before they left I knew I had to ask them to promise to keep us safe from the destruction of our land and our people!  And they promised they would spare our lives when You Lord would conquer the land, if I would leave the scarlet rope hanging from the window through which I let them down to escape.

My Lord, you not only spared my life, but you also delivered me from that sinful life of mine… the only life I knew, and now you have given me a new life in You! 

⁴ Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,

Amen!

Mari Salinas

Every Friday we meet for prayer and would love to have you join us.  We meet at 9:00am EST.  over at Women in the Word bulletin board on our Facebook page. 

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2/

Rahab is an amazing woman in many ways. Some may have seen her as just a prostitute, a woman to be scorned in terms of moral purity. But she was an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a resourceful woman and a compassionate woman. Even more importantly than that, she was a woman who recognized that there was a God who fulfilled His promises to His people.

“I know that the Lord has given you this land .” Joshua 2:9

How did she know about the God of Israel? Well, from stories told and preserved. While the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, these stories were not forgotten. 

“We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea 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.”‭‭Joshua‬ ‭2:9-10‬ 

God’s power was known among the pagan nations but they still clung to their powerless idols. They were afraid and yet they were not willing to change their allegiances and way of life. But Rahab was different. Not only was Rahab aware of these stories that attested to God’s power, but she recognized a very important attribute of God: His sovereignty. 

“for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”Joshua‬ ‭2:11‬ ‭

Being Sovereign means God has supreme power and authority. God had the ability to change Rahab’s circumstances, her destiny, and most importantly her heart. Rahab was ready to submit her life to the God of Israel, the God who would be for her and not against her, the God who would redeem her life. And not only was Rahab rescued from her circumstances but God included her in His sovereign plan of a promised Savior. She was one of the women included  in the lineage of Jesus. 

Because God is sovereign, He can keep all of His promises. He is ultimately in charge and can work his good purposes even in a fallen,sinful world.  Do you recognize and trust in that sovereignty? Just like Rahab, we can find comfort in knowing that our circumstances and the value of our lives rests in the all powerful hands of a mighty and living God whose plans can not be thwarted. 

Some verses about His Sovereignty:

““I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭32:27‬ ‭

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:21‬ ‭

“Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:37-38‬ ‭

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45:6-7‬ ‭

“Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job‬ ‭42:1-2‬ ‭

What does your past whisper to you? Do you ever have any of those nagging thoughts?

 Thoughts of,

• Shame - “If they only knew the truth about me?”
• Regret – “Oh, if only I hadn’t, or had done …”
• Condemnation – “I’ll never be good enough.”
• Discouragement – “It’s not even worth trying anymore.”

These whispers could be from choices you made years ago, or yesterday. And if you are like many women whose past haunts them then you need to meet Rahab, for Rahab was a Canaanite women, and a prostitute, who ends up in Jesus’ family tree! (Matthew 1:5)

Rahab’s story begins in the Book of Joshua, chapter 2. After wandering for 40 years, Israel is now ready to take the land of Canaan, and the first city in their sights is Jericho. Joshua sends two spies into Jericho who went into the house of Rahab.

The fact that Rahab was a prostitute made it easy for these men to enter her home without bringing attention to them, but they were noticed, and when Jericho’s king demanded Rahab turn over the spies, she bravely hid them in piles of flax on her roof, telling the king’s men they’d already fled.

That night, as the two spies were safely hidden on her roof, Rahab makes a bold claim and request before the men head back to their camp,

“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. ¹⁰ We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea 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. ¹¹ 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.

¹² “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign ¹³ that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” (Joshua 2:9-13)

The spies promise to protect Rahab and gave her a scarlet cord to hang from her window, promising all inside her home would be kept safe.

Rahab kept the scarlet cord hanging from the window of her home, and on the seventh day, when the army advanced once more and marched seven times around Jericho’s walls. The Israelites then let out a tremendous shout and the entire wall surrounding Jericho imploded. The city, its buildings, and its inhabitants were destroyed — except Rahab and her family.

“So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, mother, and brothers—everyone connected with her. They got the whole family out and gave them a place outside the camp of Israel.” (Joshua 6:23)

But God didn’t leave Rahab outside the camp!

• A man named Salmon, (I like to think he was one of the two spies, but we can’t know for sure) married Rahab and together they had
• Boaz, who married Ruth the Moabite (we’ll be studying her story next week) and together they had,
• Obed who fathered,
• Jesse, who fathered,
• David, (Matthew 1:5)
• Which means God added Rahab, a Gentile and prostitute of Jesus’ family tree.

There are at least three truths I have found in Rehab’s story:  

1.    God loves people with a past.

We don’t know what drove Rahab into a life of prostitution. Perhaps she had experienced deep brokenness or childhood trauma. Her past may have been one of pain, rejection or abuse that left her feeling trapped by shame.

The truth is however, we’ve all fallen short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23), and the good news is that no matter what our past holds, it is the reason Jesus came to earth. Therefore, none of our pasts are ever good enough to earn God’s salvation, or bad enough to keep us from His gift of eternal life!

2.    God uses people with a past. 

_God used Rahab, in spite of her past, to conquer the Promised Land, _God used Rahab to not only save the spies, but her family as well.

_God used Rahab to shape her son’s character so that he would one day go on to rescue a young Moabite widow and her mother in law.

The Truth is we all have a past, and our enemy will use it to try to keep us from fulfilling God’s destiny for us! What has he been whispering in your ear that may be keeping you from allowing God use you?

We all have a past, but it is what we do with that past that will make all the difference in your life and others.

3.    God redefines people’s past. (I think this is my favorite) 

When Scripture refers to Rahab, she is almost always referred to as,   “Rahab the harlot” except in Matthew’s genealogy. Matthew calls her “Rahab, mother of Boaz”.

Rahab went from:

·         A fallen woman to chosen,

·         An enemy of God’s people to one of the royal family

·         A prostitute to a bride and mother

If Rahab could leave us with one message, I think it would be; If we are in Christ Jesus we too are a new creation!

 Let us take those whispers Satan so craftily tries to use to discourage us and let’s find the truths in God Word to shoot them down! I’ve shared a few to get you started and I hope you’ll keep adding to the list!

 Shame: There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… (Romans 8:1)

Sin: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:19)

Hopelessness: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)

Bondage: Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:34-36)

Fear: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear… (1 John 4:18)

Rejection: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Blessings,

sue

Rahab is a beautiful example of God’s grace to all who believe. No matter who we are or what we’ve done, through the blood of Jesus, it’s never too late to start over. Our Creator is the God of fresh starts. And when we come to Him in faith, He will give us a glorious future, wiping our old our slates of sin clean! 

Rahab - “A Fresh Start Through Faith” (Joshua 2)

When Rahab came back from the kitchen, she saw that the inn was brimming with patrons. It was a busy night, and between the full moon and the new wine, the crowd was getting rambunctious. But that was to be expected from the clientele that came to Rahab’s. For hers was a house of ill repute, and the men that frequented the inn weren’t exactly looking for a quiet evening.

Rahab went table to table, making the rounds. And it was when she was refilling the empty glass of a wealthy garment trader, that she saw the two strangers slip through the door, seemingly unnoticed. Even from across the room she could feel their nervousness as they hid in the shadows. Casually Rahab approached the men, trying not to arouse suspicion. And as she got nearer she recognized the manner of their clothing, and immediately knew the men were from Israel.

Rahab had heard the stories about these people called Israel, and their mighty God. The God who had delivered His people out of Egypt and who went before them, conquering lands and destroying kings. And right then and there, Rahab had a choice to make. For surely these men were spies, which meant war was coming to the city. Would she put her faith in Jericho’s army, or in the God that had brought these two men to her doorstep? With a slight nod of her head, Rahab motioned for the men to follow her upstairs. 

As they reached the roof, Rahab pulled away a few stalks of flax, making room for the men to hide underneath. And before covering them up she said, “I’ve heard of the great miracles performed by your God, and the mighty kingdoms He brought low. I can only guess that Jericho is next. Who can stand against the Lord your God? For He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. So when you return to your people, remember me before your Lord. And promise me you’ll spare my family when you take the city.” 

Somewhat shocked yet pleased by the faith of this pagan woman the men answered “It will be our lives for yours if we don’t deal with you kindly and faithfully.” And with that Rehab left to return to her duties at hand. And no sooner had she returned downstairs, when messengers of the king bolted through the door. The Israeli spies had been spotted and seen entering the inn. Coming up to Rahab, the messengers demanded answers. 

She should have been frightened. Lying to the king meant certain death. But for a reason she didn’t yet understand, Rahab wasn’t afraid. She answered the men saying, “Yes I saw who you’re looking for. They left through the gate shortly before dark. Leave now and you’re sure to catch them!” Then as quickly as they entered, the king’s messenger left in pursuit of the Jewish strangers. 

Running back upstairs, Rahab got the men and lowered a scarlet rope over the city wall for the two to escape. They instructed her to keep the rope tied in the window so when they returned, no harm would come to her or her family. As she watched them run off in the distance, Rahab said a silent prayer to a God she didn’t know, but in whom she had place her faith. And from that moment on, Rahab’s life was changed forever.

A short time later, Israel attacked and defeated Jericho. But because of that scarlet rope tied in faith, the city laid in ruin, but Rahab and her family were spared. But that wasn’t the end of God’s rewards. Because of her faith, even though Rahab had a stained past, God gave her a glorious new future, including a new people, a new husband, and a new life. For Rahab eventually married Salmon, one of the spies who she had hidden at her inn. Salmon was a prince of the house of Judah. And their marriage turned the once harlot into a respected member of one the most prominent families of Israel, and a direct ancestor of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Welcome to Scripture Saturday! 

Our verse for this week is Isaiah 40:29-31..."He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

I just love the story of Rahab. It's a story of God's willingness to use the less than perfect to accomplish His plan. It's a story about courage and faith. Rahab, a less than perfect woman,  chose to believe and trust in a God who is greater than all the gods that she knew. A faith that trusted Him to save her family from the enemies that were surrounding her. She had heard what God had done for the Israelites and she risked her life in an act of faith. And she was rewarded beyond her imagination...becoming the ancestor of King David and so one of Jesus' ancestors as well.

Not only did God use Rahab to accomplish His purpose, He also used a man that stuttered to speak for Him, a barren woman to be the mother of a nation, a youngest son to be the most famous king of His people...and He can and will use us. He doesn't wait till we are spotless and totally mature in our faith.  He uses us in our weaknesses. He uses ordinary people to accomplish the most extraordinary things.* 

 "When I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Have a blessed week everyone!

Sandra 

*Spangler, Syswerda