December 29 – Joshua 6:22-27

December 29 – Joshua 6:22-27

²² But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, “Go into the prostitute's house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.” ²³ So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. And they brought all her relatives and put them outside the camp of Israel. ²⁴ And they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. ²⁵ But Rahab the prostitute and her father's household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

²⁶ Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, “Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho.

“At the cost of his firstborn shall he
    lay its foundation,
and at the cost of his youngest son
    shall he set up its gates.”

²⁷ So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land.

How these verses teach a lesson that people we might see as less than, or even insignificant, are great in the eyes of God.  This woman, during a time when women weren’t typically recognized, much less exalted in the way Rahab has been through the generations, protected these two spies.  It would have been much easier for her to turn her head and forget she saw anything.  Or she could have gone to the authorities of Jericho and told the where to find these two men who were spies and enemies of her people.  No, she didn’t do either of those.  She stopped, did the right thing, and got involved where God was at work.  She took a stand and she made a difference for many generations to come.

When was the last time You stepped out and went against the grain?  When was the last time You fought for God?  We get stuck in our ways and do the same thing day after day, sometimes without even thinking if that is the right thing to do.  Be a Rahab today and step out for God and His kingdom.

Heavenly Father, help me to see those who are broken and hurting that walk right past me every day.  I know I can’t help everyone, but I certainly don’t want to leave anything You have for me to do sitting on the shelf for someone else to pick up when You have given up on me.  Open my eyes to those You have for me to teach, love or sometimes just those that need a smile.  Help me see those I can reach today.

In Jesus’ name I ask these things.

Amen!