8Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof
9and said to them, "I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.
10We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.
11When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
- P70
12"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
- P71
13that 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."
14"Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land."
- P71
Rahab tells the spies she knows the Lord has given them the land. She tellsthem that Jericho has heard how God dried up the Red Sea and how Israeldefeated two Amorite kings, and everyone is afraid. In return for helping them,
Rahab asks the spies to spare her and her family. The spies promise to do so.- P71
Rahab tells the spies that news has already reached Jericho of how God defeated the Egyptians and the Amorites before the Israelites and fear has seized the city. But while the rest of Jericho remains in their fear, Rahab chooses to place her trust in the God of Israel. - P72
She realizes that if the Almighty God becomes her God, she has no reason to fear. - P72
As the church, our calling is to show the world what it looks like to be led by a faithful God. As we live this out, the news of God’s power and His goodness toward us will spread. - P72
Our hope is that others, like Rahab, will let down their defenses and come to trust in Him for themselves.- P72
Rahab asks the spies to show the same kindness she showed them by spar-ing her and her family when the city is taken. The spies promise her thatas long as she keeps their secret, neither she nor her family has anythingto fear. Rahab takes a risk by trusting the spies to return her kindness. - P72
Sheplaces her trust not only in them, but ultimately in the faithful character oftheir God. In a world where kindness feels risky and uncertain, Scriptureassures us that God sees and honors acts of faith and compassion. - P72
Christshowed us kindness by rescuing us from condemnation when we were yetHis enemies. Let us follow His example by being eager to show kindness toothers whenever we have the opportunity.
us- P72
Dear God, thank you for the goodness and mercy You have shown Your people. Help me not to take Your kindness for granted and lead me in showing the same kindness to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.- P73
Our passage reveals that there are people who have heard glimpses of God‘s savingacts and long to live under His blessing. Let us read the Mission Frontier articleand pray for the missionaries we know, asking that they be fully used by God inHis purpose.- P73
