Welcoming God’s people in peace

Hebrews 11:31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. God magnified His name through Rahab. For a Canaanite prostitute to believe that God exists and is a rewarder of those who seek Him is remarkable. We are encouraged in this verse that Rahab was spared in the destruction of Jericho by faith. So we may conclude that God granted her mercy and grace through Jesus Christ. In Joshua 2:8-13, we see how God magnified His name through Rahab. Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.”  How did Rahab know that the God of Israel was the God in heaven and on earth? She knew by the grace of God. When she heard the news of Israel’s conquests and what was done for them, God opened her heart to believe that He existed and that He was a rewarder of those who seek Him. Apparently all who lived in Jericho were considered disobedient to God, but God had favor on Rahab and her family, much like He did with Noah and his family. We know God wished to glorify His name through Rahab because He gave her faith to believe in Him.  The faith birthed in Rahab didn’t just deliver her from destruction when God destroyed Jericho; it also placed her in the lineage of the Messiah. She became the wife of Salmon, who gave birth to Boaz, father of Obed, grandfather of Jesse, and great-grandpa of David. So, she was the great-grandmother of David, and Jesus was her descendent. Amazing grace. Amazing faith. Amazing God. Are we not all among those who are disobedient? Have we not all had idols, other gods, people, things, and ideas that we have found more satisfaction in than Jesus Christ? That makes us all spiritual harlots. Yet, has it been revealed to you that God is the God of both heaven and earth? Do you believe He exists as a person apart from and separate from His creation? Do you believe you will find His blessing if you seek Him diligently? If so, then you have been delivered from the destruction to come, and God has amazing unforeseen plans for you like He did for Rahab. In confidence, you can walk with Jesus in love. You may welcome all of God’s people in peace.