Joshua Chapter 2 introduces us to a woman named Rahab who encountered two Israelite spies secretly going out to scout the Promised Land. The story begins with Rahab welcoming the two spies into her home for safe hiding. The king of Jericho hears of the men’s presence in his land and goes to confront Rahab of their whereabouts when she sends the king and his men off in the wrong direction.
Rahab then tells the Israelite men that she knows who God is, how word has spread of the miracle of their journey out of Egypt. While her land is fearful of their God, she wants to help. In return, she is asking for safety for her entire family. The oath between Rahab and the spies would be bound when she threw a scarlet chord out of the window upon them re-entering the land. This would be a sign that she remained true to her promise to keep their secret.
It wasn’t until I unpacked this story that I began to understand the many Truths of God through Rahab…
God is in search of the prepared and not necessarily the pious:
God chose Rahab, a prostitute, to ultimately deliver His people into the Promised Land. Why did He choose Rahab and not someone more upstanding? I think He chose Rahab because her heart was open. She knew God because she had experienced Him through the testimony of others. She was ready for a new way of life. She was looking for her King. And she was decisive and ready to go boldly into her new way of life. There was a knock at her door, and she answered without hesitation.
How many times has God knocked at my door, wanting so desperately for me to answer so that He could use me to bring glory to His Name? How many times have I been too busy wrapped up inside my own “house” that I cannot even hear Him? Where in my life is God speaking, but I am not willing to listen?
God meets me where I am:
Did you notice that when the two men came to Rehab, she opened the door and invited them in. She didn’t step outside so they wouldn’t see her state of living. She didn’t ask them to return in an hour so she could first tidy up. She invited them in. In my mind she probably thought they were there to make a deal, to take something from her. I can only imagine her surprise when they actually needed something from her!
She knew where they came from and who was their God. And she boldly declared that her land was the Lord’s gift to His people. She acknowledged that God is the God both in heaven and below. Her faith and her belief saved her life (physically and spiritually). She didn’t hesitate. She didn’t waver. She couldn’t actually know for certain the fate of her and her family, but she trusted in the God of the Israelites.
Just like Rahab, God meets us right where we are. He knocks on the doors of people who do not have their lives together, who are hurting and broken. Why? Because He wants us to be a part of His story. He sees us in our brokenness, and He doesn’t want to leave us there. He wants to see us transformed….but even better, He wants to use us in BIG ways for His kingdom. Will you answer His knock at your door?
My faith requires visible action:
What did the Israelites ask Rahab to do? They wanted her to put a crimson chord through the window as a sign of her covenant with them. This chord would represent her faith and obedience to God and to their mission. The crimson blood of the Passover Lamb gives us salvation and freedom from death, much like this crimson chord did for Rahab. Christ came to shed His blood for you and for me so that we may boldly testify to His grace and goodness. I have been asking myself if my life is a visible sign to others of my faith and belief in Christ. How is God calling me to live a life worthy of Him? What am I waiting for? Scripture tells us that Rahab did not wait until later to tie the chord, rather she tied it to the window as soon as the two men left. Her heart was prepared. She was all in.
Friends, I am not sure where God is tugging on your heart right now, but know that He is knocking. He’s not going to force you to open the door, but He is patiently waiting. Don’t wait until your life becomes more presentable or until you are in a better mental state or until you feel you have reached a place of stability. He’s knocking right now. He wants to come into your heart just as it is. But rest assured, your heart will not remain the same. His Spirit will give you the courage to welcome Him in so that you will see internal transformation that will lead to external changes.
Another cool tidbit? Rahab is in the direct lineage of Jesus. This was not the end of her story. She went on to be a part of the blood line of Jesus. She had no way of knowing the full extent of her decision that day, but God DID use her in big ways and continues to encourage others through her story. We never know just what God will do when we open the door!
In Him,
Ashley
“This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
~Psalm 118:24
Come To the Table Ministry 