Faith should dictate our lives rather than fear

Recently in my blog “Joshua : a man of faith…” I challenged women to put aside fear and unbelief and to be strong and courageous like Joshua. I have often heard the comment that the safest place to be is at the center of God’s will, even if one’s life looks dangerous and out of control to outsiders. I do believe that God does protect us as we follow Him and, as our days are already numbered by Him, we do not need to be preoccupied by the fear of death.. We can do everything possible to keep safe: avoiding cars, planes and fatty food but we can still develop some terminal illness …. Faith should dictate our lives rather than fear.

Continuing my study of the book of Joshua, I became interested in Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute. She had every reason to be terrified when she encountered the Israelites, but instead she proved herself to be a woman of faith! Her faith kept her safe. Inaction would have resulted in her own death and that of her family too.

Joshua’s spies visit Rahab

Joshua sent two spies to check out the mood of the people in Jericho, the first Canaanite city that God had ordered them to attack. They arrived at Rahab’s house which was built into the city wall. The spies may have gone there as it was on the very edge of the city and escape would have been possible. It is likely that God led them there as He knew that Rahab would help them rather than betray them to her people. As a prostitute she would have been looked down on by many, and consequently her loyalties to her own people were more likely to be bitter sweet than the loyalties of most of the other residents.

I suggest that you read Joshua chapter 2 to read the whole episode and this link provides an interesting perspective:

Rahab’s profession of faith

In summary, the king of Jericho discovered the spies’ whereabouts. Rather than handing them over to the king she hid them and she explained that the men had left. Her explanation of her reasons for siding with the Israelites was not what might have been expected from a prostitute. She said to the spies,” I know that the Lord has given this land to you 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.” She added that past victories and the dramatic way that God had dried up the Red Sea when the Israelites left Egypt were enough to make her conclude that “the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” This was a tremendous profession of faith.

Rahab was faithful and brave, trusting in the power of God

Rahab knew that when attacked, Jericho would be destroyed by the Israelites because she trusted in the power of God to ensure victory for His people. She made sure that the Israelites would remember her and her family when they defeated her city. It was agreed that Rahab would hang out a scarlet cord to indicate where her family was so they could be rescued.

Rahab was faithful and brave. She risked being killed by her own people to save Joshua’s spies. Although the king of Jericho knew that they had visited her house she remained calm and protected them from arrest. Rahab lowered them out of the window with a rope so that they could safely return to Joshua and the Israelites to encourage them with the good news that the people of Jericho were terrified and were expecting defeat. It is significant that God can make people either brave and courageous or extremely fearful. There are a number of incidents in the Bible when the enemy panics and God’s people do not have to fight. Conversely God rewards Rahab with faith and calm at a moment of great danger.

Humility and brokenness will more likely lead to faith

In Hebrews 11, the chapter about people who demonstrated faith in the Old Testament, Rahab is the only woman mentioned. This is a great tribute to her: “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” (Hebrews 11: 31)

God chose Rahab to contribute significantly in His mission to defeat Jericho. We might be tempted to shun her because she was a prostitute. It is often the weak, the rejected and the poor who are more inclined to believe in Jesus (see blog post). They are less likely to believe in their own power and ability. When I was in Chicago for the weekend recently I spoke to three people about Jesus at some length. The police officer on the plane was not ready to submit control to Jesus. The successful business man was not fully convinced of the nature of sin and his need for a Savior. In contrast, the homeless woman wept when I talked about her need for Jesus. She said that she needed a personal relationship with Him and she believed and trusted Jesus with her broken life. Are we humble enough to draw near to Jesus?

Jesus: a descendant of Rahab’s

Rahab tied the scarlet cord in the window so that she and her family could be saved. She had put her faith in God and His people. Elsewhere in the Old Testament the word for cord means “hope”. It is suggestive of the ultimate hope secured for us by Jesus when He shed His blood for us. It is just as well that Rahab’s hope was in God. Apart from Rahab and her family, the other inhabitants were destroyed: the rich and famous as well as the poor. Rahab’s future was an example of faithful action being rewarded. According to Matthew chapter 1, she married a Jewish man named Salmon. Boaz was their son , who married Ruth. A couple of generations later King David was added to Rahab’s family tree and in the future Jesus became her life changing descendant!

God can change anyone. Faith is a gift that we need to receive and it requires total loyalty to Jesus. If we are loyal to Jesus we do not need to fear. The reward will be significant. Holding onto temporary allegiances in preference to following God’s will is a dangerous alternative and will lead to death. Following Jesus leads to a changed life and Jesus offers His love and forgiveness to everyone, including prostitutes and the homeless.

No related posts.

 Email This Post