Rahab- A Testimony of Grace

A little boy stood by his mother's knee listening carefully as she once again shared the story. He knew it all by heart, but it never failed to thrill him! The sound of trumpets...the cheer of the people...the huge thunderous crash of walls suddenly falling all around!

"And don't forget... the part about me, Mama!"

"The part about you? Why you were not even born yet!"

"I know...but you always say the part about me...the part where you ask the question!"

"Oh the question! I won't forget to ask you! You needn't worry there!"

Her thoughts turned back to that night long ago when she had hidden the spies under the flax upon her rooftop. How different the men were than others who visited her Inn. They never once inquired about the scarlet rope that hung from her window. They didn't seem interested in what *services* she could provide! Instead they told her story after story of a mighty and powerful God who parted the sea before them, who brought water out of a rock, who fed them on manna and quail in the wilderness!
How she longed to know such a God. But such a God as this would not want to know her! Not with a past that saw one man after another entering and leaving through her chamber door.

When the news reached her that spies were in the land in preparation of an attack on their walled city, she knew at once that Jericho had no hope. Not with such a mighty God on their side. There was no doubt in her mind that the two men staying at her Inn were the very spies they were seeking.

Whatever possessed her to hide the two men? Was it because they told of how they had been slaves under a cruel Pharaoh in Egypt? She knew what it was like to be enslaved. To want to be free but to have no way out.

Was it because they had treated her like a lady when no one else offered her a smile? They never rebuked her or gave her a condescending look.

Perhaps it was because she knew in her heart they served the one true God, and no man or army could stand against Him.

Whatever her reason...she hid them that night, and when the messengers were gone, she pled with them...

"I know that the LORD has given this land to you 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. Please swear to me by your 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."

"Our lives for your lives" the men promised. Then they told her to tie the scarlet cord in the window... the same one the men used to escape with that night. When they saw the cord, all who were in the house at the time of the siege on Jericho would be saved.

The same scarlet cord that once stood for her sin became the testimony of her salvation. Only by God's grace was she and her family spared that night as the whole world came tumbling down around them. Only by God's mercy were they brought out safely to live among the Hebrews. And only by his great loving kindness was she able to begin her life over again as a woman who feared and served the one true Jehovah-Jireh...His grace was sufficient to cover all her sin.

"And now Momma?" the small boy stood dancing from one foot to the other.

"And now????" teased his mother...

"And now the QUESTION???"

"Ohhhh the question!!! Yes, we mustn't forget the question! Do you remember what it is?"

"Since we have experienced such grace as this how then should we treat others?"
the small boy proudly spoke the question without faltering.

"And the answer????" the mother asked warmly smiling...

"We should treat them as God has treated us. We should extend His grace to others!"

The mother Rahab hugged her son closely to her and watched as he ran off to play.
Would he remember? Would he grow up to love and serve the one true God and reach out to others with the same grace and love that had been given to them?

Years passed and the young boy now a man stood gazing out at his fields golden with barley in the midst of harvest. It was close to evening and some women were gathering up the left over grains missed by the harvesters.

           "Who is that foreign woman there with the others gleaning?" he asked one of his        employees.

         "Why I'm not sure Boaz, but I believe her name is Ruth the Moabite...she is the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi..."

           "Well see to it that she is treated well. To any foreigner kindness is always to be given... In fact have the harvesters drop extra wheat for her to glean..."
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The Scarlet Cord was the means for salvation:

Whether or not Rahab's scarlet rope really hung in her window to advertise that she was a prostitute is not known. It is known that the scarlet cord was used as a signal to the Hebrews that all in that household were to be spared. It was the means of escape for the spies and salvation for Rahab and her household.

The Scarlet Cord was a testimony of God's grace

If the scarlet cord did represent Rahab's sin, it also became a testimony of God's grace. What sin from your past have you tried to keep hidden in shame?
Is it possible that God wants to use the sin of your past as a testimony to others and an encouragement to them of God's limitless grace? Perhaps by sharing your testimony rather than hiding your sin, others would be encouraged not to make similar mistakes or follow the same paths. Perhaps through hearing your testimony, others would be encouraged to receive God's grace for their sin, too.

The Scarlet Cord is a symbol of Christ's Shed Blood

The scarlet cord of Rahab also is a symbol to us of the blood of the Passover lamb...for when it was seen death did not come to that household and salvation was assured. It is a symbol to us of the blood of Jesus which washes us free from sin and the curse of Death and gives us eternal life.


Do you have a scarlet cord in your life?  The thread through your life that God used to draw you to salvation? A testimony of God's grace? Won't you bring it out of hiding and use it to encourage someone today?

 

Draw from the Well
RAHAB: The Woman Who ACTED on her Faith
Joshua 2, Joshua 6:22 Heb 11:31, James 2:25

RAHAB THE HARLOT

Not long after Joshua took over as leader of the Hebrew nation, he sent two spies into Jericho to assess the land.
They ended up at the house of Rahab.

Rahab had one the world's oldest *occupations*. She was a harlot or prostitute. There are some indications found in early writings of Josephus and other sources that she was also an innkeeper. The two occupations probably served each other well. This also would explain the reason that the two spies ended up at her house seeking lodging.

While they are there, the king of Jericho heard rumors about spies being in the land. He must have heard a report that they were seen entering her home, because he sent messengers to Rahab warning her to send the men out as they were spies.

Rahab hid the two men on top of her house under some stalks of flax. When the king's messengers came to her home she told them that the spies had already left.

"Hurry, they left when it was time to close the city gate!
You may be able to catch up with them!"

So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. (You may type in your answers below)

Rahab clearly told the messengers a lie. Yet God says of Rahab in Hebrews 11... 31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. Why do you think scripture records Rahab as a woman of faith when she told a lie? What knowledge does Rahab have of the law of God at this point? What profession of faith does Rahab make to the spies? Does she say she *thinks* or she *knows*? What does this tell you about what she believes? Joshua 2:8-11 What does Rahab say about the God of the Hebrews? Joshua 2:11 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Rahab's Request: After the messengers left, Rahab went up on the roof to talk to the spies. She tells them that everyone's heart melts and their courage fails when they hear of what the LORD their God was capable of doing! Please swear to me by your 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." "Our lives for your lives" the men promise. Then they tell her to tie a scarlet cord in the window... the same one the men use to escape with that night. All who are in the house at the time of the seige on Jericho would be saved. -What profession of faith does Rahab make to the spies? Does she say she *thinks* or she *knows*? 9 and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you 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. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. What does this tell you about what she believes? Joshua 2:8-11 What request does Rahab make to the spies? What oath do the spies make to Rahab? What sign is she to give them? Why do you think Rahab had a scarlet cord to hang from the window? God may have taken the *sign* of Rahab's sin and used it as a testimony of her salvation. What God had saved her out of... God can take the sins of our past and use them as a Testimony of His grace, What has there been in your past that God may wish to use as a testimony to others? How was Rahab's actions a sign of her true faith? James 2:25 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. What commandment did Joshua give about the destruction of Jericho? (Josh 6:16-21) 22 Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the prostitute's house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her." What thoughts do you think Rahab had as she saw the city being destroyed? How was Rahab saved according to Hebrews 11:31? How did Rahab's initial faith help her family members? (Joshua 6:21-24) What affect has your faith had on your family? Rahab's New Life: How was Rahab given a fresh start? (Josh 6:25) Who did Rahab marry? (Matt 1:5) 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, Who was Rahab's son? What do you know about his character? How did Rahab raise him to treat women? (Matt 1:5, Ruth 3: 12-13) Would you use the mistakes of your past to teach your children how to live Godly lives? (Don't hide your mistakes but use them as a testimony and tool to teach your children spiritual truth.) Who was Rahab's most important descendant? (Matthew 1:6,17) Rahab Saved by God's Grace Why would God allow a prostitute to be in the lineage of Jesus? Is there any sin so great that God can not forgive it and give us a second chance? What saves us...our own merit or God's grace? (Eph 2:8) Without God's grace what did Rahab have in store for her in Jericho? Without God's grace what punishment would have been according to the law for prostitution? Leviticus 21:9. Without God's grace what do you have in store for you? Rahab Saved By Grace through Faith: (Eph 2:8) What act saved Rahab? Why does faith require action? James 2:14,20,22,25 What does our activity say about our faith? What is YOUR activity saying lately about your faith? What activities in your life are demonstrating your faith? What activities in your life are really denials of faith?

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