Joshua 2: "Faith and Action"
Joshua 2: "Faith and Action"
"I know that the LORD has given you this land 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... for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."
Joshua sent two spies across the Jordan River into Canaan. They stayed at the house of Rahab, a prostitute who lived on the outskirts of Jericho.
However, as soon as they entered Canaan, someone in Jericho suspected these Israelites and reported them to the king. Though the king sent men to Rahab's house, she hid the spies.
Rahab appears in Jesus' genealogy. She was a prostitute in Jericho. The Hebrew term "ishah zonah" literally means "woman of harlotry." The Septuagint uses "porne," meaning prostitute. In Canaan, the first recipients of God's saving grace were Rahab the prostitute and her family.
The people of Jericho already knew much about the Israelites. They had heard how they left Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, and destroyed the two Amorite kings. They were terrified.
Rahab confessed that she knew the Lord had given this land to the Israelites and that their God, Yahweh, was the true God of heaven and earth.
From the king to the common people of Jericho, all knew and feared that Yahweh was the true God. Yet their responses differed dramatically. While some reported the spies, Rahab chose to hide them. This decision could have meant death for her and her family if discovered.
Rahab demonstrated her confession that "the LORD is God in heaven and earth" through her actions. Faith means staying loyal to God regardless of the cost.
Though Rahab was a Gentile and a woman who had practiced prostitution, God saw her faith and the actions that flowed from it, and saved her.
Faith must be accompanied by action to bear fruit.
Prayer: Good and righteous God, help us put our confession into action. Let us follow Jesus, who demonstrated obedience by bearing the cross of suffering. Holy Spirit, make us strong and courageous. Amen.