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Joshua 2:8-11, Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “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] 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.  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.

Chapter two of Joshua describes the first stage of the Israelites conquering the land of Canaan.  They send spies to Jericho to do some recognizance.  Interestingly, when they enter the city, they are hidden by a woman named Rahab, who the Scripture says is a prostitute.  It's possible her home served as a way station, tavern, or some kind of public gathering place.  Regardless, she takes the spies in without hesitation.

In the focus verses for today, Rahab expresses that she knows Israel's God is powerful, she has heard both about God's miracles and victories.  The people are fearful because they know defeat is imminent.  Despite her pagan background, it's clear that Rahab believes in the one true God.  She explicitly states, "...the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."  But she doesn't simply express her faith in words, her actions demonstrate her faith in pretty powerful ways.  She hides the spies even when the King of Jericho demands she hand them over and she helps them escape unscathed.  As a result, her family is allowed to live.

The New Testament mentions the faith of Rahab several times.  Hebrews 11:31 states, By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.  James 2:25 reads, In the same way, 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?  It is amazing that this woman, who probably had low social status and a poor reputation among her own people, knew that she had a purpose bigger than her current circumstances and she lived into it.  God offered her an opportunity to be used by him and she took it with what appeared to be no hesitation. 

What we know is that because of her faith in God, life changed drastically for her.  She eventually married an Israelite named Salmon and together, they had a son named Boaz.  Boaz married a faithful Moabite woman named Ruth.  They become the grandparents of King David.  Jesus is in the line of David.  So what I'm saying here is that Rahab, a prostitute who hid the spies as the Israelites were about to overtake Jericho, is in the direct line of Jesus.  Because of her faith, she is grafted into the people of God and becomes a great, great...lots of greats grandmother of the Savior of the world.  Let that sink in a bit.  God can use everyone.  God wants to use everyone to achieve his purposes.  God wants to use you!

Let's pray...Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for the life of Rahab and her faithfulness.  Lord, thank you for giving us each a purpose.  Help me live into mine.  May I have faith like Rahab.  More of you, Jesus, and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.