Reference Passage:
Joshua 2:21 (NIV)
“Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.”
So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rahab had visitors. Not the usual kind, though. Their demeanour showed signs of serious business. Hardly the shady type that showed up usually at her doorstep. They were looking for accommodation, and on Rahab's part, there was no reason to refuse.
Reasons came knocking soon enough though.
The king had reliable intelligence that the dreaded Israelites had sent spies to scout the land, having already displayed considerable intent to conquer Jericho. Legend had it that years ago, the descendants of Jacob had spectacularly thrown off the Egyptian yoke of slavery, aided by some unknown God. Proceeding in the direction of Canaan, their first major obstacle was the Red Sea, which miraculously parted ways, allowing the multitude to cross over on dry ground. Judging by their pace, it had only been surprising that they took so long to arrive. Through the years, fresh tidings of their military strength kept coming as if to keep the state of alert alive, until the land was filled with the fear of impending doom. Now that they were just moments away from entering Canaan, Jericho's king had made up his mind to do everything possible to block their way.
Strangely, not everybody thought likewise. Its remarkable that different people react to the same situation in different ways. Rahab, for one, was hoping to find out who this God was. She was surely no stranger to the pantheon of her time. As always, religion brings with it a kind of passionate fervour whenever its adherents spend much to prop it up on ceremonial crutches. There may be little intellectual or moral nutrition in the package, but devotees find a queer sense of fulfilment and pride in religious business. But, this enigmatic God seemed to transcend empty tradition and human folk tales, He sounded real and Israel's success appeared to have basis for trust. Could she expect a personal encounter someday?
The king's message was ruthless : turn over the 'visitors'. Now, Rahab was in a fix. Life had placed two choices before her, and there was no running away this time. Fear of man or fear of God? Which would she choose? After all, this was her king speaking with all the authority of Jericho. For the rest of us, the second option does not even figure in our calculations, being so 'unworthy' of consideration. Nevertheless, in a momentous decision that speaks volumes of her courage and faith, Rahab decided to hide the spies, and cook up a false story for the king's men.
Strangely, not everybody thought likewise. Its remarkable that different people react to the same situation in different ways. Rahab, for one, was hoping to find out who this God was. She was surely no stranger to the pantheon of her time. As always, religion brings with it a kind of passionate fervour whenever its adherents spend much to prop it up on ceremonial crutches. There may be little intellectual or moral nutrition in the package, but devotees find a queer sense of fulfilment and pride in religious business. But, this enigmatic God seemed to transcend empty tradition and human folk tales, He sounded real and Israel's success appeared to have basis for trust. Could she expect a personal encounter someday?
The king's message was ruthless : turn over the 'visitors'. Now, Rahab was in a fix. Life had placed two choices before her, and there was no running away this time. Fear of man or fear of God? Which would she choose? After all, this was her king speaking with all the authority of Jericho. For the rest of us, the second option does not even figure in our calculations, being so 'unworthy' of consideration. Nevertheless, in a momentous decision that speaks volumes of her courage and faith, Rahab decided to hide the spies, and cook up a false story for the king's men.
While the soldiers were busy chasing wild geese, Rahab wasted little time in pleading for mercy from her two guests, humbly admitting that her life was not in her own hands. But wait a minute! Wasn't Rahab overdoing things? In the first place, the agents' lives were in her hands, and she could do as she pleased.
The real difference was that, fortunately for her, her eyes were firmly on what was coming, and everything made different sense in the light of this bigger picture. She could already hear the footsteps of the Israelites and the trumpet blow, and it was only a matter of time before the city fell. Indeed, the measly defences of men would not hold out against a God who parted the Red Sea, and slew the mighty kings of the Amorites. Though the pick was extremely limited, what was actually placed before her was the door of salvation and by faith, she saw the immense opportunity that she otherwise could never aspire to attain.
Would surprises never end? The Israelite operatives had an unusual offer to make. There was no easy 'Yes-or-No' solution. The deal was to leave a scarlet cord tied to the window as a signal to the invaders. Whoever came and remained in Rahab's house, would be saved with her when the attack was on. The spies were not to blame if the cord went missing. There would be no multiplicity of threads. It was obvious that everybody would have to rally to a single point, it being practically impossible for the spies to scour the city for scarlet signals at zero hour. Besides, no one was going to escape by simple gestures or overtures, as is typical of Christmas and Good Friday each year. None of these were too big a sacrifice to make, considering whose priority it was to be saved.
In effect, that was the end of Rahab's business as the 'businesswoman' was now busy inviting people to a new and living hope. I wonder how often she struggled with the seductive fragrances of her sensual past, while the scarlet cord of hope compelled her in a different direction. Gladly one day, the moment of truth came, and they all were whisked away to safety while the city burned to ruins.
Rahab's story sketches for us the outline of God's redemptive plan for mankind. Grace sends spies to invite repentant sinners into the kingdom. There aren't many who have seen the trouble brewing, or realized that their lives are not in their own hands. While we're all busy dancing to the 'eat-work-play-sleep' pattern, formal religion seems to offer little seriousness and no hope. Both god and believer shy away from commitments of any sort, and self gratification remains the ultimate objective of all. Santa Claus and the Easter bunny have usurped Christ and His Cross. Yet, we've seen our walls crumble before the harsh realities of life, because we chose to take cover in the shadow of the moment. We still have no real answer for fear.
Yet, God placed a scarlet cord at the Cross of Calvary – a salvation deal that expects us to surrender our lives to the will of God's love. This love is sacrificial by nature, and far excels the vain imaginations of a self-seeking human mind. This is where hope overcomes fear, because mercy triumphed over judgement.
Until then? Life hangs by a thread.
The real difference was that, fortunately for her, her eyes were firmly on what was coming, and everything made different sense in the light of this bigger picture. She could already hear the footsteps of the Israelites and the trumpet blow, and it was only a matter of time before the city fell. Indeed, the measly defences of men would not hold out against a God who parted the Red Sea, and slew the mighty kings of the Amorites. Though the pick was extremely limited, what was actually placed before her was the door of salvation and by faith, she saw the immense opportunity that she otherwise could never aspire to attain.
Would surprises never end? The Israelite operatives had an unusual offer to make. There was no easy 'Yes-or-No' solution. The deal was to leave a scarlet cord tied to the window as a signal to the invaders. Whoever came and remained in Rahab's house, would be saved with her when the attack was on. The spies were not to blame if the cord went missing. There would be no multiplicity of threads. It was obvious that everybody would have to rally to a single point, it being practically impossible for the spies to scour the city for scarlet signals at zero hour. Besides, no one was going to escape by simple gestures or overtures, as is typical of Christmas and Good Friday each year. None of these were too big a sacrifice to make, considering whose priority it was to be saved.
In effect, that was the end of Rahab's business as the 'businesswoman' was now busy inviting people to a new and living hope. I wonder how often she struggled with the seductive fragrances of her sensual past, while the scarlet cord of hope compelled her in a different direction. Gladly one day, the moment of truth came, and they all were whisked away to safety while the city burned to ruins.
Rahab's story sketches for us the outline of God's redemptive plan for mankind. Grace sends spies to invite repentant sinners into the kingdom. There aren't many who have seen the trouble brewing, or realized that their lives are not in their own hands. While we're all busy dancing to the 'eat-work-play-sleep' pattern, formal religion seems to offer little seriousness and no hope. Both god and believer shy away from commitments of any sort, and self gratification remains the ultimate objective of all. Santa Claus and the Easter bunny have usurped Christ and His Cross. Yet, we've seen our walls crumble before the harsh realities of life, because we chose to take cover in the shadow of the moment. We still have no real answer for fear.
Yet, God placed a scarlet cord at the Cross of Calvary – a salvation deal that expects us to surrender our lives to the will of God's love. This love is sacrificial by nature, and far excels the vain imaginations of a self-seeking human mind. This is where hope overcomes fear, because mercy triumphed over judgement.
Until then? Life hangs by a thread.
