Taking Responsibility VI: Side with God

Message 2 October 2016 Taking Responsibility VI: Side with God

 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: - Joshua 2:1-4

Before the children of Israel crossed into the Promised Land, Joshua sent two spies to gather information about the land especially Jericho. In Jericho a prostitute called Rahab housed them.

Why would the spies choose to live in the house of a prostitute? The possibilities are many. Apart from the fact that prostitutes would have been welcoming to strangers and good at keeping it a secret, bear in mind that the Canaanite religions worshiped fertility gods. Sexual purity was not a fundamental value in Jericho. Their gods such as Baal and Ashtoreth were portrayed by symbols of war, fertility and erotic love. So it's likely any other accommodation would have been as questionable. By the way in Jericho, being a prostitute, like increasingly is the case today, did not carry a stigma as under the Jewish and Christian value systems. Further her house was located on an outer wall of the city where escape was possible. Being a secret fan of Israel, she may have taken them in out of her faith in the God of Israel. Also God in executing his sovereign purposes could also have led the spies to her house.

Why would a story of spies of God's people living with a prostitute be in scriptures? After all, the spies' mission was not critical to the success of the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6). The bible is even open about her being a prostitute. Yet given that the flax drying on the roof of her house made it likely she prepared linen thread and perhaps clothing (Joshua 2:4, 6). Was it not better to focus on Rahab as a well to do business woman than her being a prostitute. The bible is however a book of redemption. As such whether people had weaknesses or strengths it did not matter because redemption sorts out both. So bible stories don’t hide the implausible aspects of their role players. For Rahab, when the spies visited, she saw an opportunity to side with God for her future rescue.  She seized the opportunity. The encounter left behind three lessons covered below.

1)      The encounter Exposed fear and weaknesses in the heart of the enemy.

The spies wanted to find out the strengths and weaknesses in Jericho. By staying with Rahab she told them that the people were afraid of them. 'Our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you (Joshua 2:10-11)'.  '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 Joshua 2:9'. They were so afraid that their hearts had melted. Often believers are afraid of the future, the obstacles, and the giants that face them. May God reveal the reality that the things you fear are actually afraid of you. May he reveal the vulnerabilities and weaknesses behind the enemy facades of Intimidating walls, words and faces. The things you fear are heartless and powerless against you. May you hear the call of possibility in impossibility and of the victory in the battle.  And of the opportunity in the threat.

2)      The encounter Uncovered faith and spiritual strength in the heart of Rahab.

Often when facing formidable challenges all you see is your terrible past and your disqualifications for vctory. Rahab allowed the best in her to rise above the worst. Challenges can bury you or raise you. In God, for every challenge there is potential, latent power and resources in you enough to deal with the challenge. There is enough virtue to wipe out every vice in your life. When soldiers came to Rahab's house to arrest the spies she allowed faith in her to rise above her fears. She put her very life on the line by defying the king's edict and hiding the spies and telling their pursuers she did not know where they had gone. By welcoming the spies and helping them to escape safely she showed her faith in the God of Israel. The residents of Jericho heard the same stories about Yahweh as Rahab and were filled with fear and prepared for battle. She heard and sided with God. Faith is siding with God.

Rahab acted out of faith and her faith is acknowledged in the New Testament.  

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient (Hebrews 11:31).

Was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? (James 2:25). She believed Yahweh had more power than the gods of Jericho (Joshua 2:11). As a result, she is mentioned in the same breath as Abraham, the father of faith (James 2:23).

Rahab's faith saved her and others. She bargained for the salvation of others - her parents, brothers. True faith is seen in zeal to share it with others. If truly good for you it must be good for ones you love and care about. Rahab pleaded if you do good for me please also remember my loved ones. She may have reasoned, after all their life styles were better than hers. As everyone should be in their own sight, she failed to see why if a worst of sinners is rescued anyone else should be left out. If you received salvation everyone else can receive the same because you were as bad if not worse. Rahab, typical of her trades, took the opportunity to pull out promises from the spies when they most needed her help. And she clinched a deal where they would rescue her and all she brought into her house. She made them seal the deal by an oath.

Rahab's faith secured the future. If all people made decisions with the future in mind the world would be full of wise people.  A prostitute became a prophet - 'I know that the LORD has given this land to you (Joshua 2:9). She was probably more confident than the spies about what God was about to do. The spies swore to protect her when Jericho fell but she had to tie a scarlet cord her window (Joshua 2:17-21). She had to also bring all she wanted saved into her house. anyone in the house would be saved. Such is true in Christ. Salvation not so much about your works but where you are. At the end it will not first be about what one did but where one is found. Did you go into the ark and did you go behind door posts with blood applied to them. All those found in Him and in faith shall be saved.

3)      The encounter Revealed God's amazing grace and unlimited provisions.

God showed wonderful grace to a prostitute. Rahab as the grandmother of Boaz was counted among the ancestors of the Lord Jesus Christ who include King David and Christ himself (Mathew 1:1-5). The Lord’s genealogy in Mathew mentioned Rahab among five women. The others were Ruth, Bathshéba, Tamar and Mary who each had a story that would disqualify them in the eyes of many. Praise to the Lord. He is in the redeeming business. No matter what you may have done in your past life, God is ready to forgive you and give you a new life if you choose to side with him by faith.

Side with God every time, tie the scarlet thread on the window of your house and get as many as you can into the house.  As you do that, may the fears and weaknesses of your challenges be exposed. May our faith and strengths be uncovered. May the grace and unlimited provisions of our God be revealed.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

First Floor Dhando House,

66 Eloff Street Extension,

Village Deep,

Johannesburg,

South Africa