When Moses dies, Joshua becomes the leader of the Israelites. He is the one that leads the people into the promised land, the land of their inheritance. Before entering the land, he sends two spies. The king of Jericho knows spies are in the land and wants to find them. The spies had entered Rahab’s home, and she hid the spies. She misdirects the kings’ men to protect the spies. Why would she do that? Notice Rahab’s testimony:
“I know the Lord has given you this land. We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.“
Joshua 2:9 – 11 NLT
So where’s the mercy?
Jericho was a center for idol worship, devoted to Ashtaroth, the goddess of the moon. Rahab was a citizen of this pagan city and a prostitute. Rahab likely had no knowledge of God except through the stories of God’s provision for Israel. God transformed Rahab’s heart through those stories.
God credited Rahab’s confession of faith to her as righteousness. She expressed her belief with action; she saved the lives of the spies. And God, in turn, protected Rahab from the destruction of Jericho. Not only that, God used her to continue His lineage, the seed of the woman who would crush the serpent’s head. (Rahab is Boaz’s mother, and Matthew lists Rahab in Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1)).
Rahab is an illustration of God’s mercy. Our past does not define us, nor do our fears need to represent us. God can transform any willing heart!
Prayer of Gratitude
Father, how great and glorious are your mighty deeds? You rescued your people by taking them across the river on dry ground. You destroyed their enemies. Our hearts might also melt in fear if we did not know that You are the One true God. We confess today that you are Lord in our broken world, even in our current society’s controversies. We praise and thank You for your mercy to each of us. You blotted out all of our sins and remembered them no more. And because of Your mercy, we can live lives of grace and peace. Amen.
* Rahab’s story is found in Joshua 2 – 6.
