The Bible in 90 Days
Day 16: Joshua 1:1-14:15 || Read the CEB online
Following on from Moses’ farewell speech of Deuteronomy, the Israelites charge across the Jordan and make quick work of most of those who occupy the land they were promised to receive from God, Jericho most famously.
Not all died at the hands of the Israelites: some show providential benevolence towards these fierce nomads swarming out of the desert, such as Rahab. Now she’s not exactly practicing a profession upon which God looks kindly. Yet, perhaps because she occupies a marginal place in society, she offers hospitality to Israelite spies, shows allegiance to the LORD, & saves herself & her extended family from destruction.
Rahab’s story still surprises me: God makes no mention of her work as a prostitute at all, offers no command to change her ways, sets no condition upon her salvation. She even makes an appearance in the lineage of David which leads to Jesus, according to Matthew. There are many such stories in God’s family, of people who are distasteful, repulsive, or otherwise incredible to us…yet still a part of God’s mighty acts of salvation.
“Joshua let Rahab the prostitute live, her family, and everyone related to her. So her family still lives among Israel today, because she hid the spies whom Joshua had sent to scout out Jericho.” (Joshua 6:25 CEB)
Have you witnessed God use surprising figures to advance his mission?
Are there conditions on those whom God will save?
Share your thoughts in the comments below,
and don’t forget to pray for our U.M. ARMY team coming home from West Monroe, Louisiana!
Leave a Reply