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Last week we talked about Sapphira.
Today I am going to focus on Rahab- the harlot.
Labels.
Have you ever noticed how it seems everyone is given a label?
Maybe they aren't all bad, but it sure does seem like we all have them.
Smart, stupid, skinny, fat, organized, parent, etc.
The list goes on and on and on.
Rahab's story shows us many things one of which is that labels can be more than what we are.
They can show what God is capable of rescuing us from.
God can use all of us, no matter what we've done, who we've been, or where we try to hid.
Let's have a quick recap of the story of Rahab.
One day the prostitute opened her door to 2 strangers.
They were running from the local law enforcement.
They begged that she hid them.
Intrigued she does and when the officers arrive she denies knowing them.
She points the officers in the opposite direction.
When she learns from these men that they are spies sent by the Israelites (who are about to take the land promised to them) she begs that her family and her life be spared.
They promise her that and this ends her days as a prostitute.
Once rescued she is taken among the Israelites as one of their own.
The label of harlot is one that proves how far she's come by the grace of God.
I wonder if Rahab struggled with her label once she was welcomed by the Israelites.
I think about the labels I have had placed on me and I've struggled with them on occasion.
Do you think she worried no one would like her?
That people were still judging her?
Do you wonder that?
Do you judge people based on their labels and not on your own interactions with them?
Chapter 7: Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Labels.
Have you ever noticed how it seems everyone is given a label?
Maybe they aren't all bad, but it sure does seem like we all have them.
Smart, stupid, skinny, fat, organized, parent, etc.
The list goes on and on and on.
Rahab's story shows us many things one of which is that labels can be more than what we are.
They can show what God is capable of rescuing us from.
God can use all of us, no matter what we've done, who we've been, or where we try to hid.
Let's have a quick recap of the story of Rahab.
One day the prostitute opened her door to 2 strangers.
They were running from the local law enforcement.
They begged that she hid them.
Intrigued she does and when the officers arrive she denies knowing them.
She points the officers in the opposite direction.
When she learns from these men that they are spies sent by the Israelites (who are about to take the land promised to them) she begs that her family and her life be spared.
They promise her that and this ends her days as a prostitute.
Once rescued she is taken among the Israelites as one of their own.
The label of harlot is one that proves how far she's come by the grace of God.
I wonder if Rahab struggled with her label once she was welcomed by the Israelites.
I think about the labels I have had placed on me and I've struggled with them on occasion.
Do you think she worried no one would like her?
That people were still judging her?
Do you wonder that?
Do you judge people based on their labels and not on your own interactions with them?
Read these verses and see what the Bible says about judging one another:
Romans 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt. For we will all stand before God's judgement seat.
James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver & Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you- who are you to judge your neighbor?
Now read these verses and see how we can skip over the prejudice thought process and focus on seeing people as sinners saved by grace.
John 13:34-35 A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind & compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Rahab demonstrated these virtues, in spite of her label!
She was kind and compassionate to strangers who came to her door.
She knew nothing concrete about them and yet she helped them, hid them, saved them so they could in turn rescue her and her family later.
JOSHUA 2:8-13
Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, "I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who are living in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea 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. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 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 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".
The book asks us "How do we know Rahab didn't simply tell these men what they wanted to hear so they would spare her life"?
After all if Rahab was a harlot that means she probably was good at reading men and knowing what they wanted.
I believe though that this was a time when her true colors shown through.
Being a harlot was what she did, but it wasn't who she was.
She was a person who feared the coming destruction, just as those around her.
She was a person who had heard the tales and who had melted in fear.
She was a woman whose intuition pushed her to hid these men and in doing so proved her right.
I think these men knew she was genuine.
ROMANS 10:10
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
That verse sounds like it was written straight from God to Rahab that day.
Her heart believed and she professed that and because of it her families life and her own were saved.
Focus on these verses and see what the Bible says about obedience:
John 14:15 If you love me, keep my commands
2 John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Romans 16:19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil
1 John 3:24 The one who keeps God's commands lives in him and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: we know it by the spirit he gave us.
With all this said.....
WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM RAHAB?
- 1 - Our past does not determine our future
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus". ~Romans 8:1
- 2 - Rahab cared abut her family's safety, not merely her own pretty neck.
"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever". ~1 Timothy 5:8
- 3 - Obedience often requires public confession
"Let the redeemed of the Lord say this....
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men". ~Psalm 107:2, 8
- 4 - Faith that's demonstrated is remembered
"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead". ~James 2:26
So remember that we all have labels.
But who we are/were does not define who God can make us into or what God can use us for.
Rahab was a harlot, turned hero.
What can God use your for....
....the possibilites are endless.
I hope you have enjoyed this time of study.
Please let me know if you would like to see something in particular in our discussions or if you have any questions.
I hope you have a Blessed Friday!
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