The Faith That Doesn’t Fail
We put our faith in all sorts of things and persons. Often, our faith goes unrewarded and we are disappointed and let down. In Joshua 2:8–13; 6:16–17, The harlot Rahab put her faith in God and was rewarded with salvation for her and her family in Jericho. I pray that when life is pressing in on us, we know to put our faith in the One whose promises never fail and whose word never returns to Him void. Amen
Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land 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. We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. (Joshua 2:8-11)
Rehab, as cited in the Bible was a harlot. She hid the spies in the roof of her place of business/brothel in Jerusalem. Joshua had sent them to survey the land and asses the best point of entry into Canaan. Her words to the spies were that everyone in the land was in fear of Israel. They had heard what God did at the Red Seain destroying the Egyptian army, and they had heard what God had done to the Amorites in destroying them. They recognized that the Israelites were under God’s power and protection, and it drained the people in Canaan of all their courage to fight them. Rahab had faith in God and was certain that He would give Israel the land.
“Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and that you will save us from death.” (Joshua 2:12-13)
Rehab further demonstrated her faith in the LORD by asking that in return for her protection of the lives of the spies, that the lives of she and her family would be spared when Israel came to conquer Jericho. Her request was evid once of her faith, “save us from death”. When we come to God in faith, we too come asking that He would save us from death.
The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. (Joshua 6:16–17)
After Israel crossed the Jordan and came into Canaan, Jericho was the first enemy they needed to defeat. Joshua instructed the priests to lead the army in circling the city for seven days. On the seventh day, they were to circle the city seven times. Just as Rahab had foreseen, God had given the city to Israel. And on the seventh time around the city, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army to shout… and the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. When God has given you the victory, you should be able to shout and give Him praise!
As they invaded the city, Joshua was careful to instruct the army to spare the lives of Rahab and her family. Thus Rahab was rewarded for her faith. And ultimately, she has been forever memorialized in the ancestry of Jesus as recorded in Matthew chapter 1.
Conclusion
Rahab had faith in God, who she believed would not fail her or Israel. She had heard the stories of what God had done for Israel in the past. She staked her life on God’s faithfulness, and God was faithful to save the lives of her and her family. Rahab had the choice to trust in Jericho, and it’s formidable walls, or to trust in the God who delivered Israel from the Egyptian army by parting the Red Sea and further decimated the Canaanite kings who stood in their way. She chose God. When we make the choice to trust God above all that we see around us that promises safety and security, we do so knowing that God is faithful to His promises. The Bible proves over and over how God has kept His promises in the lives of His children. Ultimately, He has promised us that He will save us to be with Him in eternity as members of His family because of our faith in His Son.
Like Rahab, who was saved because of her faith, God rewards our faith by saving us and making us part of His family… forever!
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
“By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” ~ Hebrews 11:31
