Verse of the Day 1/2

Joshua 6:25 (AMP) So Joshua saved Rahab the harlot, with her father's household and all that she had; and she lives in Israel even to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

 

My Old Testament reading plan just happened to bring me to Joshua chapter 6 yesterday while the New Testament reading started out the new year in Matthew 1.  Matthew 1 gives a genealogy of Jesus Christ and verse 5 reveals the significance of what God accomplished through Rahab.

 

Matthew 1:5-6 (ESV) and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, ⁶ and Jesse the father of David the king.......¹⁶ and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

 

We don't know what may have been going on in Rahab's life and mind as the new year started the year Jericho fell, but I doubt that she had any idea of the events that would take place, the significance of her life and what would be accomplished through her life.  It serves as a reminder for us today.  No matter where we stand, what needs changing in our lives, God has a plan for us and great things will be in store for those who will follow His promptings, submit to His authority and be obedient to His direction.  Again, it will not be easy, there is always risk involved, but the future dividends may be immeasurable.

 

Dr. W. A. Criswell said, "Rahab the harlot is an example of the grace of God at work. Her salvation was not based on her character or merits: she lived in a doomed city, practiced a condemned profession, engaged in subversive activities, and falsified [lied about] her actions. Nevertheless she…acted upon faith, and was spared the judgment of God which was executed at the hands of the Israelites. In addition to her deliverance, Rahab was rewarded beyond measure when she married into the household of Nahshon…By Salmon, Rahab became the mother of Boaz and ancestress of David in the Messianic line [of those who were the ancestors of Jesus]. As one of four women listed in the genealogy of Matthew 1, Rahab is in the company of Tamar, who was also a harlot, and Ruth, who was a virtuous Gentile"Rahab's name is mentioned because she did what God was leading her to do."  (More on the scarlett thread)  If she would not have been obedient to His call God would have used someone else and someone else's name would be written in that genealogy.

 

The spies just happened to come to Rahab to hide, Ruth just happened to come to the field of Boaz, or did they?  I don't think so.

 

As you head into the New Year, be aware of, be on the lookout for those happenstance meetings, opportunities to help and to serve, to show mercy and compassion.  Who knows what God plans on doing through the one to whom you show mercy and compassion?

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Joshua 6:25-27  The Message (MSG)

 ²⁵ But Joshua let Rahab the harlot live—Rahab and her father's household and everyone connected to her. She is still alive and well in Israel because she hid the agents whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

 ²⁶ Joshua swore a solemn oath at that time: 
   Cursed before God is the man 
      who sets out to rebuild this city Jericho. He'll pay for the foundation with his firstborn son, 
      he'll pay for the gates with his youngest son.

 ²⁷ God was with Joshua. He became famous all over the land.