March 11
Joshua
1:14–Joshua 5:15
RAHAB’S REFUGE
Joshua 2:18
"Behold, when we
come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet
thread in the window . . .and thou shalt bring thy
father, and they mother, and thy brethren, and all thy
father’s household home unto thee."
I am moved almost to
tears as I remember Rahab’s reunion with her family.
Rahab, that Jericho woman who protected the two
Israelite spies, was a prostitute. The Bible calls her a
Harlot! Even so, she is listed in the genealogy
of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:5. This shows the
"open arms" of Jesus when He said to all, "Come unto
me all ye . . .!" (Matthew 11:28)
The King of Jericho
knew the spies had come. He knew they had entered the
house built upon the wall. It was the harlot’s house.
His men sought the intruders. The town was searched
until darkness. Rahab lied! The town-gate was fastened.
The spies had disappeared.
The truth was that
Rahab had hidden her gentlemen callers in the flax-stalk
roof. The men had buried themselves in the dry, bug
infested roof refuge. But they were safe! Rahab had a
plan. She grabbed a strong red cord. She fastened it to
a window. The men plummeted down the rope. They took to
the mountains, and sneaked back to Joshua .
Before they left
Rahab’s premises, the two spies instructed her, "KEEP
THE RED CORD IN THE WINDOW!" In the future, when the
Israelites would conquer her city, they would watch for
the red rope. It would protect the house and all who
were within its walls.
Why did tears come to
my eyes? Let me tell you. They came when I thought of
the reconciliation between Rahab and her family. She had
to approach her father. It may have been years since
they talked. I think he was ashamed of her work. She had
to go to her mother and beg her forgiveness bringing the
older woman to safety. Rahab had to find her brothers
and sisters. She had to plead with them to accept her,
to trust her, and to come live with her. Also, she would
bring her aunts and uncles, the servants, and any who
would live in her dwelling. They knew, along with their
king, that the LORD God had done wonderful things for
the children of Israel.
Praise God for the
faith of this woman of the night. Her life was changed
by one act of kindness. Her house would be the only one
left standing when the judgment fell. Some day, she
would marry, have a regular home, and become the mother
of Boaz who would later marry Ruth, the Moabitess, the
great-grandmother of King David whose throne would be
established forever and ever.
Has your life changed
by meeting the LORD God? If so, you, too, have been
protected in the major storms of your life! (ysw)
"ASK
OF ME, THE LORD!"
(Isaiah 45:11;
Philippians 4:6-7)
God has certain
blessings and promises that are ours only by asking in
prayer!
Apart from the
fact that God has told us to "ask,"
there is a sweet
submission an expectancy in asking a sovereign God to
grant our requests
ASK LARGELY THAT
YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL!
LET YOUR
REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN
AND PEACE WILL
GUARD YOUR HEART!
(GGS)
