An Unexpected Savior
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You that You see the heart and that You bypass things that humans regard highly.
Read Joshua 2:17-24
[17] Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us [18] unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. [19] If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. [20] But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.” [21] “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. [22] When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them. [23] Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. [24] They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who provides rescue?Whatever we may think of her profession as a prostitute, Rahab has hidden the spies, misdirected the pursuit and bargained for her safety (2:1–16). Resourcefully, she has placed the spies in her debt before daring to ask for anything. She is shown to be decisive and effective, a woman protecting and providing for her whole family. We can only wonder why she finds herself in this precarious position.Her courageous action stems from her discernment: she knows what God is doing in the land and that defeat is coming (2:9–11). Her actions and resourcefulness are mentioned with approval in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25). Rahab is shown to be a discerning and strong woman of her word.Through her decisive action and her witness to morale within Jericho (vs 9,11,24), Rahab does much to encourage Joshua and embolden the Israelites. Included in the covenant community, Rahab even becomes one of Jesus’ human ancestors (Matthew 1:5). We may feel we should judge her. Yet, regardless of her previous lifestyle, Rahab gets woven into God’s story of redemption through her resourcefulness and discernment.
Apply
Ask forgiveness for times when you haven’t discerned what God was doing and missed the moment.
Closing prayer
Lord, I do not want to decide how to serve You and step out on my own. I want to walk in step with You.
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