Joshua and Rahab couldn’t have been more different. One was leading the nation of Israel and the other was a prostitute. But God doesn’t see us according to our titles, successes or failures. God sees our hearts and uses those who are willing and humble.
When an angel appeared to Joshua, he took off his sandals and fell face down on the ground (Joshua 5: 13-15). And when Rahab met two spies who had been sent by Joshua to scope out the city she was living in, she offered them kindness and protection (Joshua 2). These are times in life when we need to bow down in awe of God. And there are also times when we need to take a risk and stand up for what is right. Centuries after Joshua and Rahab’s time, the writer of the book of Hebrews singled them out:
” By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down….By faith, the prostitute Rahab was not killed with those who were disobedient”
Hebrews 11: 30-31
It wasn’t Joshua’s military skill that won him the day, and Rahab’s background certainly didn’t dissuade God from using her. What mattered were their willing, humble hearts and the fact that they were prepared to take a risk. They both had the courage to trust God and to say yes to whatever He called them to do. That’s a strong model for us all in our journey of faith.
Blessings to all,
Pastor John