Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
- Hebrews 11:1
I wonder where Rahab first heard of the Isrealites’ God. Did she first hear about the splitting of the Red Sea in the stories of her childhood? Were the many acts of God for the children of Israel rumors floating through the city of Jericho? No matter how she heard about this great and mighty God, she knew that the life she was living was nothing compared to the life she wanted with the God of Israel.
Rahab’s story doesn’t have the greatest start. We find her in Joshua chapter 2 described as a prostitute (Joshua 2:1 NLT). But thankfully we soon discover that she’s so much more than just a prostitute of Jericho. She quickly hides the spies sent from Israel and tells a blatant lie to keep them hidden (vv. 4-5). In her heart, Rahab knew that the God of Israel was mightier than any great-walled city. She took a chance at protecting the spies He had sent and was greatly rewarded for her faith.
The first time she speaks to the spies is recorded in verse 9, “I know the Lord has given you this land” (Joshua 2:9). There is no wavering in that statement. She goes on to list the ways that she has seen God work on behalf of the children of Israel.
“For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed” (v 10).
Her faith has been made rock solid through each and every great act that she has heard of God doing. She wasn’t there to actually see each one, but her simple faith in hearing of each one was honorable in the sight of God. She went on to proclaim the strength of her faith in verse 11, “For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.”
Rahab is a shining example of what genuine faith looks like. She is even one of the few women recorded in Hebrews as having great faith. “It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies” (Hebrews 11:31).
Despite her lifestyle and the city that she lived in, Rahab grounded her faith in the God of Israel. When she took a chance to hide the spies, God rewarded her faith and rescued her family when the city was destroyed. “So Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute and her relatives who were with her in the house, because she had hidden the spies Joshua sent to Jericho. And she lives among the Israelites to this day” (Joshua 6:25).
Does your life feel a bit like Rahab's? Maybe you’re surrounded by influences that distract you from Christ. Maybe there are stumbling blocks that tend to derail your faith. I challenge you, friend, to hold fast in faith to the God that split the Red Sea. Claim the multitude of promises He has made just for you. And when you hold fast in faith, our God will never let you down.
Reflection:
What is one practical way that you can increase your faith this week?
Is there someone you know whose faith you can help build up and encourage?
Prayer
Father God who rained down mana and opened up a sea for Your people to walk through, I need the faith of Rahab. She simply heard these stories and believed without wavering. I’ve heard these stories too, but my faith is weak. I need You to work in my life to increase my faith today. Remind me of Your faithfulness to Rahab and so many others in the Bible. You did it for them, I know You’ll do it again for me. Amen.