Rahab is cited in both Hebrews and James as an example of one who had faith, an example to be followed. She was a woman. She was not a Jew. She was a prostitute. I love it when God confounds conventional wisdom, especially religious wisdom!
Exodus through Deuteronomy is filled will situations where “God’s people” doubted God. They saw Him do great things on their behalf, but it only took a short while for their faith to leak out. Nevertheless, He still claimed them and they were still His people.
In this chapter we see Rahab. She did not grow up hearing her parents tell of God’s great deliverances and provisions. She did not eat the manna in the wilderness or hear the words of Moses. She did hear about these things, but likely third or fourth hand. Surely she knew that by the time a great story has passed through several retelling it has likely been enhanced. Perhaps, but there was something about these stories, about this God, that resonated in Rahab’s heart and produced faith.
“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.”
Wow! What a statement. “We have heard…” Everyone in Jericho had heard but Rahab was different in that she heard and believed. She not only believed the stories she embraced the logical conclusion: “for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”
Salvation has always been by faith. Abraham was declared righteous because of what he believed. Rahab and her family were delivered because of what she believed. And we are saved by what we believe.
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