Kudos to Rahab, a shining female star in a cast of men scattered across the pages of the story of Joshua! Rahab found her God-given purpose in the midst of a lifestyle and a city that did not honor God and pulled herself out of it to save herself, to save her family and ultimately (and unbeknownst to her) to become an ancestor of THE Savior.
Every action Rahab took from the moment Joshua's spies entered Jericho was an action fueled 100% with purpose. She didn't allow herself to get mired down in her old lifestyle or even her city, but she set her eyes on the glory and power and awesomeness of God to save her. AND her family.
Her story is the polar opposite of Achan, also in the cast of people in Joshua's story. His purpose got raked over the coals with greed and coveting what God said was not to be taken in the spoils of the ruin of Jericho. And because of Achan's wrong actions, his whole family was stoned and burned along with him.
Rahab could definitely be the face of Women With Purpose...
- She knew God's will for her life
- She learned how to live a life that told others she was God's
- She showed God's love to those around her
She purposed for salvation. Even amidst the shadows of her past wrongs and life choices. Amidst the fear of her fellow Jerichoians facing the encircling Israelites. Even through the flying shards of crumbling city walls and ear-piercing war cries of the invading army, her purpose remained intact.
Salvation. Relationship with God. Looking forward.
How do You purpose to use US, Lord, to extend Your saving grace and hope through the crumbling world we live in momentarily and bring salvation to our lives, into those around us every day, into future lives so that Your Kingdom may be established.....
2 comments:
Great post, Heather! Two great examples . . . Rahab and Achan . . . that our position outside or within the body of Christ does not disqualify us or qualify us for God’s use! The very people we are sure God cannot use are the very people God will use!
Rahab, as a prostitute, was forced to live on the edge of society . . . rejection. Her house was built right into the city wall, making it easy to provide “services” to travelers. It was a perfect place for the Israelite spies to stay. After all, who would think that any man staying at Rahab’s was anything but a “customer.”
Rahab had heard the stories circulating about the Israelites and about their God. Invasion of the city of Jericho by the Israelites was going to happen . . . soon . . . and she knew there would be one more victory notch on the Israelites’ belts! The people, including Rahab, were afraid of the Israelites! Yet she was the only one who turned to God. Why? She was willing to risk her life by hiding the spies and lying to the authorities. Why? Because she chose to not focus on fear and the impending invasion but rather she chose to believe that the God of the Israelites could be trusted! Faith came . . . fear and rejection had to bow their knee! Faith came . . . God showed up . . . she and her family were saved!
Lord, use us to touch the lives of the “Rahabs,” those forced to live on the edge of society or maybe even on the edge of the body of Christ . . . those openly or subconsciously rejected . . . too skinny/too fat . . . too young/too old . . . too rich/too poor . . . status in society . . . “different” (special needs individuals) . . . nationality . . . sin . . . whatever.
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