Pastor Ben’s Ponderings

From The Desk Of Pastor Ben

Read Joshua 2:1-11

I love the story of Rahab. I guess part of the reason I love it is because I like seeing how God has used messed up people to do amazing things. It gives me hope!

Rahab lived in Jericho and most Bible scholars agree that she was a prostitute. We know she was beautiful and we see in Joshua 2 that she was also a liar. I don’t know any prostitutes personally, but I know a whole bunch of liars, and I doubt if one is a better sinner than the other. But do you know what’s really interesting? Rahab was one of Jesus’ ancestors! Jesus had a prostitute in His family heritage! (You can see her name for yourself in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1:5.) She is also listed in the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11 among people of outstanding faith. A prostitute! How did she change the direction her life was headed? It’s all in Joshua 2.

Why did she betray her own city to hide those foreign spies whom she had never met before? In Joshua 2:9-13, she tells the spies that her country is melting in fear because they have heard of Joshua’s courage and all his conquests. Rahab knew all these incredible victories were not coincidental. She could see that God was with Joshua and his people, and she knew better than to mess with Him! So she switched sides — just like that!

When Joshua’s army captured Jericho, Rahab and her parents and siblings were all spared. This prostitute, who may not have made a single good decision in her life up to that point, chose obedience that day. And that day was the beginning of a new course for her. Now, her life has become an example of courage and obedience for people like us, generations later!

If we blow it 1000 times and then, just before we mess up 1001, we decide we don’t want to get it wrong this time, God will honor that obedience! We don’t have to live on a sin default. Faith and obedience are momentary choices, not lifetime memberships. If you’ve been disobeying, you can switch sides just like Rahab! Aren’t you glad?