Rahab - Promise

Joshua 2:16-22 Now she had said to them, "Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way." The men said to her, "This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him. But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear." "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. When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them.

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book and you want it to just - get to the next part. It's the part where you 'get it' and you want it to just move along already. You see, we know all this part - there has already been a discussion about this and now we're being told again. Why? Why do you think God found this particular interaction so important that it needed to be elaborated on.

Let's ponder that. Rahab gives the men exact instructions. Then the men give her exact instructions. She follows their exact instructions. They follow her exact instructions. All goes according to plan. Is it really that simple? I know that this situation involves life and death for all parties involved and there is a lot on the line, but is the same not true in our relationships today.

If we make a promise to someone, even though they may not die if you don't keep your promise, it's still important to stay true to our word. That's the way it's supposed to work. It can be something as simple as promising your kids to take them to the park if they finish their homework, or that promise we made to our spouse by saying "I do" (and all that stuff involved in those two words). Isn't it funny how when one of the parties doesn't stay true to their promise - the earth seems to shatter and our whole world seems to fall apart.

God set up this promise thing a long time ago. He's made us a wonderful promise and gave us specific instructions on what we do on our end. It's such a simple instruction - we find it in Romans 3:23-26. Call on Jesus - He is preparing a place for us. All will go according to His plan.