Saturday, August 16, 2008

Rahab - Pot Roast Anyone?

Joshua 2:12-13 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death."

Talk about bold! Rahab had just told these guys that she knows the Lord is with them, that He is God and that the whole of Jericho is terrified - and then she asks them for a favor. What?!? She asks them to swear by God that she will be spared along with her family when they destroy Jericho.

The Israelites have been traipsing around questioning God at what seems like every corner and this girl Rahab gets it in one night. She knows that God will do what He promised He would do and she needed protection, because the city would be His.

It's so ironic how this request and what we'll read in the next couple of verses parallel how we should be in our relationship with God. She realizes that she has only given them kindness, but she is asking for the lives of her and her family in return. We know that whatever we do, it will never come close to the sacrifice Jesus paid on the cross - yet God still wants us to come to Him and ask. . . whatever it is! Whether you're asking for something simple like the pot roast to turn out okay for dinner, or the cancer patient down the street - turn it wholly over to God and watch miracles happen - just like for the strong and courageous - Rahab.

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