“On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, ‘Shout, for the Lord has given you the city. And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.’ So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.” (v15-17,20)
Israel’s first conquest in Canaan is possibly the most famous – the destruction of Jericho. This was no minor feat – the wall of Jericho which fell down flat was many feet thick (remember Rahab’s house was “in the wall”?) so it was clearly an act of God that brought the wall down.
Despite God’s might being displayed in Jericho’s destruction, there is a display of God’s grace and mercy as well – Rahab’s family is spared from destruction. This is of great significance because we later learn that Rahab is in the lineage of Jesus (Mt 1:5) – in fact, she is one of only five women mentioned in the lineage of Jesus (she is David’s great great grandmother).
This is a beautiful picture of God’s redemption and restoration – a prostitute by trade (ie. professional sinner) meets God, becomes one of His people, and ends up in the lineage of Jesus. That really shows the forgiveness, grace and mercy of God. God didn’t care what she used to do, He forgave her past sins and did not let those mistakes determine her future – her relationship with God and His grace determined her future in the lineage of Jesus.
I want to encourage all of us today that no matter what we have done in the past, or what has been done to us, it does not limit God’s ability to work in and through us. The only thing that limits God’s ability to work in and through us is the degree to which we surrender ourselves to His will – that’s it. God is not limited by circumstance or history, He is only limited by His respect for our free will. Let’s humble our hearts and fully surrender to God’s will, and see how He will redeem us from our sinful past like He redeemed the household of Rahab.
Father God, our Redeemer and Savior, great and awesome is Your name. With Your mighty hand You struck down Jericho, yet in infinite grace You gently rescued Rahab with that same hand. Father please redeem us as well, not only from our past sin but from a future of sin as well. Please redirect the paths of our lives to ones that honor and glorify You, bringing purpose and meaning into our lives here on earth. Father may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In the redeeming name of Jesus, for the glory of the Father we ask this, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training