Day 5: Joshua 2 – Rahab
I’ve realised something recently about myself. I quite like clear rules! I like to know, for example “yes you need a mask to enter this shop” rather than having to guess what is expected of me! The arrows on the floor help me know where I should and shouldn’t go! I like things working a certain way – do this and then this will happen! It makes sense in my head.
This story shows a brilliant side to our God! He’s absolutely a God of order who seemingly sometimes breaks what we would say are “rules!”
Read Joshua 2 and see for yourself!
Of all the people to use to help his people, the options of men and women that God “should” have used, he uses someone that I would question even adding to a welcome team! He uses a prostitute to save his nation! Read the story! Its what she was! She doesn’t seem like the obvious choice for God to use!
A woman (that alone at that time is significant, they were very much seen as the “less than” species at that time by society) but a woman who was operating a business that couldn’t seem less “Christian” and yet that’s who God choose!
The truth about Rahab is so beautiful. She was indeed, at that point a prostitute, but she was also so much more! Her life wasn’t just about what she did, mistakes she made, or men she was with. She was a woman who God loved! And recognised as his! He saw that she wanted to know him as her God, he saw potential in her that the rest of humanity overlooked because all they saw in her was her “profession” what she did, which is not the same as who she was.
The world saw chaos and mistakes when they saw her and yet God saw potential! He saw bravery – this was no small act that she did – had she been found out she would be in a great deal of trouble! He saw initiative, a skill she would very much need and he saw something in her even greater!
This isn’t the only time we see her name. Read forward, lots of books forward into Matthew 1:5 her name pops up again, this time in the lineage of Jesus! This blows my mind! Who the world saw as less than, as insignificant, as useless and broken, when God looked at her – he saw the potential for the Saviour of the world to be in her family line! She was the great great great great (and a few more greats) grandmother of Jesus!
The story of Rahab is one of my absolute favourites because it reminds me again every time I read it that God see’s more in me and you than we can ever really understand. He see’s past mistakes, mental health issues, financial backgrounds, skills or lack of and see’s potential! No one is exempt for God being able to include in his story.
Maybe you’ve spent time comparing yourself to others and felt in some ways that you’ve missed the mark! Well I’m sure she did the same! But what is this illusive “mark” we are trying to reach to feel good enough for God? What ever it is in your mind I’m sure the woman we read about in Joshua 2 doesn’t hit it! And yet look at what she did because God gave her the chance and she took it! She didn’t use her past as an excuse for “I can’t because of this!” she knew her life and her choices, saw the chance, said yes and the rest is incredible!
God is for you! He loves you and wants to include you! Never say “no” because your story doesn’t seem as polished and Christian as others – this story shows that God isn’t afraid of mess because he so loves you! So lets just say yes! And then see what he does!
Ps Gale Dowding
Senior Pastor