Read Joshua 2
Don't you love the fact that our God is the Master Redeemer? It is so comforting to know that there is no sin He won't forgive. When we mess up, our lives aren't over. There is never a point that we can wander to in which God will throw up His hands and say, "sorry, that's too far...I can't forgive that trangression." When we come to Him in repentance, He will forgive us every time. What a patient and loving God we serve. One of my favorite stories of God's redemption is the story of Rahab in Joshua 2.
In this story, Joshua has sent spies to Jericho on a dangerous mission to search out the land. They stop at the house of Rahab for refuge, and we find out early on that Rahab is a prostitute. Rahab has lived a life full of wickedness and sin, selling her body in a manner that is repugnant to the Lord. Despite her sinful past, God isn't through with her yet. We will see in this story the way that He graciously redeems her and has an amazing plan for her life.
Immediately, what should stand out to you as you read about Rahab is her great faith in the Lord. Rahab is not a Jew and is unfamiliar with God's laws and teachings. However, she has heard of God's miraculous work in the lives of the Jews (v.10). She not only has heard these stories, but she believes them. She believes that the God of the Jews is real and that He is the one true God (v.11). We also see her faith put into action when she hides the spies from the people of Jericho. She believed in the God of the Israelites so firmly that she was willing to put her life on the line to hide the spies in her home.
We see Rahab again mentioned 3 different times in the New Testament. It is important to know of these later references in order to see God's redemption in her life. In Hebrews 11, the author writes about faith and gives example after example of great heroes of the faith. Rahab is commended in verse 31 for her great faith in hiding the spies. This is pretty incredible, because Rahab is listed next to heroes such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, to name a few. What an incredible place to be! Rahab is again honored in the book of James for putting her faith into action in James 2:25. She is mentioned here next to the great faith of Abraham. We see Rahab a third time in the New Testament in Matthew 1:5. Matthew 1 follows the geneology of Jesus Christ. Rahab is listed as part of Jesus' line! What a glorious honor!
Rahab was a Gentile and a prostitute. However, God took her from this dishonorable state and redeemed her, transforming her into a hero of the faith. Not only is she listed alongside the most faithful followers of God in the Old Testament, but she has a place in the line of Jesus Christ. What an incredible example of God's transforming and redemptive power, His forgiveness, and His grace. You may have a sinful past yourself. Perhaps you have done things you are ahamed of and think that God can't possibly have a plan for you anymore. Well, you're wrong. Walk away from your sin and throw yourself at the mercies of our Lord. He is mighty to save the most lowly of sinners and delights in doing so. Glory to His name!
Don't you love the fact that our God is the Master Redeemer? It is so comforting to know that there is no sin He won't forgive. When we mess up, our lives aren't over. There is never a point that we can wander to in which God will throw up His hands and say, "sorry, that's too far...I can't forgive that trangression." When we come to Him in repentance, He will forgive us every time. What a patient and loving God we serve. One of my favorite stories of God's redemption is the story of Rahab in Joshua 2.
In this story, Joshua has sent spies to Jericho on a dangerous mission to search out the land. They stop at the house of Rahab for refuge, and we find out early on that Rahab is a prostitute. Rahab has lived a life full of wickedness and sin, selling her body in a manner that is repugnant to the Lord. Despite her sinful past, God isn't through with her yet. We will see in this story the way that He graciously redeems her and has an amazing plan for her life.
Immediately, what should stand out to you as you read about Rahab is her great faith in the Lord. Rahab is not a Jew and is unfamiliar with God's laws and teachings. However, she has heard of God's miraculous work in the lives of the Jews (v.10). She not only has heard these stories, but she believes them. She believes that the God of the Jews is real and that He is the one true God (v.11). We also see her faith put into action when she hides the spies from the people of Jericho. She believed in the God of the Israelites so firmly that she was willing to put her life on the line to hide the spies in her home.
We see Rahab again mentioned 3 different times in the New Testament. It is important to know of these later references in order to see God's redemption in her life. In Hebrews 11, the author writes about faith and gives example after example of great heroes of the faith. Rahab is commended in verse 31 for her great faith in hiding the spies. This is pretty incredible, because Rahab is listed next to heroes such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, to name a few. What an incredible place to be! Rahab is again honored in the book of James for putting her faith into action in James 2:25. She is mentioned here next to the great faith of Abraham. We see Rahab a third time in the New Testament in Matthew 1:5. Matthew 1 follows the geneology of Jesus Christ. Rahab is listed as part of Jesus' line! What a glorious honor!
Rahab was a Gentile and a prostitute. However, God took her from this dishonorable state and redeemed her, transforming her into a hero of the faith. Not only is she listed alongside the most faithful followers of God in the Old Testament, but she has a place in the line of Jesus Christ. What an incredible example of God's transforming and redemptive power, His forgiveness, and His grace. You may have a sinful past yourself. Perhaps you have done things you are ahamed of and think that God can't possibly have a plan for you anymore. Well, you're wrong. Walk away from your sin and throw yourself at the mercies of our Lord. He is mighty to save the most lowly of sinners and delights in doing so. Glory to His name!
