Grace and Mercy

God has given me the opportunity to lead a ladies class at our church. I feel very blessed to be a part of this class. This Sunday our lesson is out of Joshua 2, about Rahab. I wanted to share some things that I have learned as I have been studying this passage.

Moses is dead and Joshua is the new leader of Isreal. God has commanded them to cross the Jordan. Joshua is sending two men into Jericho to spy out the land. Jericho would be the first place they would come to when they crossed the Jordan. As the two men come into Jericho they are discovered so they must hide. Where do they hide? At a woman named Rahab’s house. Who is this Rahab? Verse 1 tells us that she is a harlot, an adulterous woman.

Our all knowing God knew about Rahab’s sin and He still loved her. This is a great picture of grace and mercy. He chose to use Rahab for His glory. She tells the spies in verse 8 all that she knows about God and all that He has done and is doing. It was her declaration of who God is. God is at work in her heart, changing her. We see here that NOTHING can prevent one from being saved. It never tells us exactly when Rahab receives salvation but it is known by her actions.

Too many people claim “Christian” but the Bible tells us we will know them by their “works” (James 2:14-26). It is clear that Rahab did nothing to be saved but because of her sanctification she is doing things for God’s glory! In verses 12 & 13 she is making plans to tell her family about God and all that has happened. Rahab is wanting others (her family) to be saved. When someone has a true heart change there will be a deep desire for others to know and follow God. In Matthew 7:21 Jesus tells us that “not everyone who says “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven but only those who do the will of My Father in heaven.”

It was Rahab’s faith that led her to salvation. She didn’t have a Bible like we do, nor did she experience first hand all that the children of Israel had, it was pure faith! In Hebrews 11 God list Rahab in the “Hall of Faith” right along side of Abraham, Moses, and Sarah. How much faith do I have? How much faith do you have? I want this kind of faith that these men and women had that are listed in Hebrews 11. I want faith that will glorify God and lead others to Him!!

Can’t stop here, Rahab is also mentioned in Matthew 1. Verse 5 tells us that a man named Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. This is the genealogy of Jesus! A harlot saved by grace is part of the line of Jesus. That is AWESOME!! That is a woman changed by God and used by God!

Just as God had grace and mercy with Rahab He gives me grace and mercy. Thank You Lord for giving me grace and mercy, for Your salvation and for sending Jesus to die for my sin. Thank You for using Rahab. I pray that You would use me to lead this ladies class, to glorify You and to lead others closer to You!