Joshua 2:1-24 Rahab Hides the Spies

The leadership is commissioned and the people are committed to begin the conquest of the promised land. But commissioning and commitment will not get the conquest accomplished unless there is combat. Joshua sends a couple of spies to scout the first target - Jericho. It is a large city fortified with great walls. The spies encounter a prostitute named Rahab who knows all about the God of Israel and his promises to give them the land. She becomes a convert to the God of Israel in exchange for her life. She hides the spies from her own people as a show of her new allegiance. The spies promise to spare her and her family if she marks her dwelling with a scarlet cord on the window. 

Some conquest activities are covert in nature. Infiltrating the enemy's lines to assess power is a common strategy. But, more importantly, infiltration brings the opportunity to rescue those who are destined for destruction. Divine appointments bring me in contact with those who are ready to make a commitment to the kingdom of God. Many times I fail to be alert to such possibility in the lives of people I meet. They have heard the message. Their hearts are ready. All they need is the encouragement to make that commitment to God Almighty. One on one covert activities are part of the conquest strategy of the kingdom.

The kingdom of God does not make exception of people. It does not discriminate for past sins. Rahab was a prostitute and she was accepted. Of course this means she repented of her ways and changed. It does not discriminate for ethnicity. Rahab was not an Israelite, but was received among the Israelites as their own. We have the testimony of the Scriptures that she became part of the genealogy of Christ. Her past, her ethnicity, and her current circumstances were not obstacles for a profession of faith in the God of Israel. All that matters is a repentant heart and a contrite spirit willing to embrace the true living God.

The use of a scarlet cord harks back to the Passover celebration where the judgment of God passed over those who had blood on their doorposts. The placing of the red cord on her window is the act of faith that makes the judgment of God pass over her and her family making her a daughter of Abraham by promise. The promise of salvation from judgment is given to Rahab and is the promise I should be extending to all I encounter in my journey.

My life may be in danger for engaging in such covert activities. Maybe not in this country, but many brothers and sisters around the world suffer for this faith. The kingdom of God is dangerous business. It is very risky. But the offer of salvation and the opportunity to snatch someone away from certain condemnation is worth the risk.

Living God, move my life into combat mode. Don't let me be complacent in the world. May I engage in covert activities that bring me in contact with those who are ready to receive the life of the kingdom. May I offer your salvation without shame or fear.