Friday, December 7, 2007
The Book of Joshua 2:8-14
8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea [b] for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. [c] 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 12 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death." 14 "Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land."
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2 comments:
As we can see, Rahab is aware that her town will be attacked by Joshua & co. in nearby future, according to the plan of God. She has heard about how God has showed His glory and power in the lands. Hence, she is in awe and has fear that something might happen to her and her family... As we study and meditate on the Bible daily, we also learn new things about Christ. By doing so, I hope that each one of us can get to know Him more and really have great faith and respect for Him.
Funny, that it is a prostitute that protects Joshua's spies. Why is it that prostitutes often figure so prominently in the bible?
I have difficult with the book of Joshua, because of the swath of destruction that Joshua brings to the land.
Reading these verses, I can think of Rahab is a God fearing woman. Reading it another way, I can think of her as a cowardly traitor - "I'll help you utterly destroy my city and kill my fellow citizens as long as you spare me and my family." It seems that no matter what she did - people were going to die. Either the spies or her the townspeople. I really hate the violence of the times. God, I pray that I am never in such a position that my actions must result in another's death.
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