July 21, 2005

 

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

--James 2:25

 

Rahab, the prostitute and Gentile, was very different in background from Abraham (whom we spoke of yesterday). She lived in the city of Jericho, where its people were enemies of the Israelites. When Israel sent spies into the land of Jericho, it was Rahab who hid them in her home from the city officials and the king. Despite their demands of her to reveal their whereabouts, she stood her ground and kept it a secret.

 

Because of her faith and obedience to God, she demonstrated the reality of her faith. She laid her life on the line because she believed. Edith Deen, author of All the Women of the Bible, once wrote “First [Rahab] heard the Word, then she believed. This belief led to faith, which then led to works. In the process, she was saved.”

 

This story is such a great testimony to people today of a prostitute that simply believed and had faith in a God she really didn’t know, but had heard about amidst fear in her city of Jericho. I strongly encourage you (if you haven’t already) to read the story of Rahab found in Joshua 2. She is a legacy of living faith.

 

Even the New Testament speaks of Rahab. Scripture says, “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:31). Paul and James mentioned Rahab’s past and her former career as a prostitute for the same reason that people share their testimonies today.

 

Rahab’s act of obedience and trust in the LORD earned her a place in God’s Hall of Faith. James used two examples of people in the Bible that walked the talk when it came to their faith in God. You may go to worship every Sunday, be involved in numerous church activities, or be a leader in your congregation, but if you don’t have a living faith, then your efforts are pointless.

 

Is God asking you to step out of your comfort zone and do something extraordinary today? If you want to pattern your life after those of Abraham the saint and Rahab the streetwalker, and their incredible testimonies of faith, then ask God to put you in a place where you can live out that faith in obedience to Him.

 

WHETHER YOU’VE LIVED LIKE ABRAHAM OR RAHAB, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU COULD EVER DO IS LIVE OUT YOUR FAITH IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD.