James 2:25-26 (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. (NIV)
The Lord had delivered Israel out of
the hands of their oppressors in Egypt. Pharaoh and his army had been totally
destroyed in the Red Sea. The news of what had taken place had reached the ears
of many surrounding kingdoms and beyond, which had many in fear of the God who
had such power. Moses, their leader had passed on, but Joshua had become his
successor. God promised the Israelites the land of Canaan and He was going to
stay true to His word.
Jericho was the first city to be
conquered as part of the promise God had given to them. However, there was work
to be done and Joshua needed spies to scout of the city. Therefore, he sent
some men to spy out the city and bring him back news, so that they could make
the necessary plans to take the city. The men went to the city, but had to hide
due to word getting out that spies were among them.
The spies went to a woman’s house
name Rahab who was a known prostitute and she hid them away on the top of her
roof. Men from the city came to see if the men were still there after hearing
that they had stopped by this prostitute’s house. However, she covered for the
spies and sent the men in another direction because she knew that God was with
the spies who had come. As a result of her protection of them, God allowed her
and her family to be spared and when the walls of Jericho came tumbling down,
Rahab and her family were safe.
The Apostle James tells this story
because it took a measure of faith for Rahab to do what she did. She had heard
about the miracles that God had done for the Children of Israel and even though
she was not an Israelite, she believed in Him. Romans 10:17 Consequently,
faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word
about Christ. (NIV) If she
had never heard the message, then she would have never known that she could
trust in God.
The men that Joshua sent as spies had to also trust that she would not
betray them by holding on to the promises that God had given to them concerning
the Promised Land. Exodus 3:17 And I have promised to bring you
up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites,
Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites--a land flowing with milk and
honey. (NIV) God was on time with keeping His promise to them with the
help of this prostitute. Even though Rahab was a prostitute, she was considered
righteous because she helped to hide the spies, so that they could carry out
the work that God had promised to the Israelites during the time of Moses and
God gave them the land. Joshua 21:43-45 (43)So the Lord gave Israel all the
land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and
settled there. (44)The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their
ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their
enemies into their hands. (45)Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was
fulfilled. (NIV)
God will use anyone who has faith in
Him. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what your background it, all that
matters is that you have faith to submit to His total will. Just as the spies
had faith to know that God would care for them, we too must have faith despite
whatever circumstances come our way. Jesus said that faith doesn’t have to be
big, but as long as you have some degree of it, it will move mountains. Matthew
17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little
faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can
say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will
be impossible for you." (NIV) Trust God and watch the impossible
become possible in your life.
The Book of James: 30 Days of Devotion for Men by K L Rich available on Amazon.com.
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