The Faith of Rahab

There are some people in this world, who have a past that is not pleasing to others, but they possess a measure of faith that lacking in the church. In Joshua chapter 2:1,”Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho”. So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. The first thing that stands out is that Joshua has secretly sent spies into the promise land. Remember Joshua is now the leader of the Israelites, and has already seen the promise land for himself, and has heard the voice of God instruct him on the victory of the promise land, but with all that Joshua still needed to send spies back into the promise land. I find it interesting that even our leaders/religious leaders still need to send spies/ministries out in the communities to stay relevant/current on news, events, and trends. If the church is to become a leader in the major influences on people, then we have to stop being secretive, and begin to openly talk about what the Word of God says on current events, news, and trends of the community. The second thing I notice is not really about faith, but more about what the spies did when they got to the promise land. If the spies were entering the promise land for the first time, how did they know where Rahab stayed? At times church folks will downgrade others about their past or current lifestyle, and in reality the church laity knows where the hoe houses are, and the dope holes exist. The church laity pretends not to know for fear that others will assume they were from those places or are still attending those places. The truth is we all have a pass and really do not have a right to judge anyone about their past or current lifestyle. We as the church laity have to be the light of the world and show God’s love to a people surrounded by evil. In Joshua chapter 2:12, Rahab has an opportunity to stay a hoe or move into a position of holiness. I would assume that Rahab knows a thing or two about conducting a transaction, and instead of requesting the men for money or sex. Rahab realizes that she can bring herself out of a position of doom, but that her entire family can come too. Rahab makes the offer to the spies, “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”. Some people in the world don’t mind showing kindness to the church, but they are waiting on a sure sign that they or their family will be hurt. In verse 19 of chapter 2, the spies tell Rahab, “… As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him” The spies from Shittim, do something that I believe the church laity should follow as an example. If anyone that is in your house (that is the hoe house, the place where sin is conducted,) is harmed, we are responsible. So many people come from homes that are dysfunctional and instead of the church laity being distant and judgmental; we ought to be more responsible to the people that come out of sinful situations. The thing is Rahab still had to get her family in her house; her family was not with her. Meaning the family might have left her to be hoe and be a hoe alone. The church laity cannot leave individuals to deal with their sin alone, the church laity has to say that you will come out and while God may destroy Sodom, I know that he will save you. The last thing I notice is the faith of Rahab, the spies give specific instruction on how Rahab is to identify her house from the rest. In verse 21 of Joshua chapter 2, states that, “…So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.” Rahab identified her house immediately after the spies departed. Signaling that Rahab was not sure when the Israelites were coming or when God would deliver the promise land, but Rahab said that I will be ready whenever he comes. The faith that Rahab exhibits is amazing considering her background, she told the spies I heard what you have done, and I have heard about the God that comes with you. While she was telling the spies about their God, she was also declaring that I have a faith in your God that if HE would send me you as my way out of destruction then I will use traits of past to get me to safety and in with people of promise. She also said that my faith will cover not only me, but my family that left me and stop believing in me. Please know that the faith that abides in you, can and will bring you out of situations that no one ever expected you to get out of. Know that in this life we live by faith of the promise of righteousness, while this world is evil and corrupt. We believe that Jesus came so that we can have life, and have it more abundantly. Please know that if you have faith in these scriptures, know that your faith is not only about driving you forward or to a point of change, but about driving your family to another level. Know that this faith Rahab had, not only brought her from the position/condition of being a hoe, but delivered her and her entire family to the promise land.