“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20:16 KJV

Our world is in turmoil, to put it mildly. During the twenty-first century, our technological age, the social climate in our world should be improving, particularly in the United States. Instead of making progress, hatred, bigotry, and racism continue to raise its ugly head. 

God made all humans in His image and according to His likeness. Adam and Eve are our fore-parents. Acts 17:26 states, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings…”

Although all of us are God’s children, classism has been prevalent since biblical days. One group or race of people think of themselves more highly than other groups or races.

No matter what our opinion is of one another, God loves each of us the same. If there is any exalting, He does it. Psalm 75:6-7 proclaims, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.”

The story of Rahab, the harlot (Joshua 2 & 6), illustrates this point beautifully. I am sure the tea clubs and high society women in her community didn’t regard her as a classy lady. Every step Rahab took caused a buzz of snicker and gossip. Yet, this same woman of ill-repute has a “rag to riches” story. She rose from the pit to the palace. 

Perhaps, Rahab chose this profession because she didn’t have a healthy self-image. Even though society didn’t respect her business, Rehab had something that her fellow citizens didn’t have—faith, courage, fear, and tenderness toward Jehovah God. These virtues brought her to a place of prominence with God. 

Rahab didn’t have to market her business; God took care of it without Facebook or Instagram ads. He ensured that her name and profession proceeded her. Why? For His purpose. God used Rahab and her establishment to be the hiding place for Joshua’s two spies. Joshua sent them to spy out Jericho. I am sure there were other harlots in the city, but God chose Rahab. He groomed and prepared the soil of her heart, possibly for years. She and others saw her business place as a lucrative income source and a place to satisfy appetites. But, God used what the enemy meant for evil for His good.

When the spies entered her lodging, Rahab knew immediately that these men weren’t customers, but God sent men. They didn’t make any announcements or threats. Rahab proceeded by telling them about their omnipotent God and the miracles He worked on their behalf. She gave them the information they needed to hear, “…All the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you” (Joshua 2:9). The people of Jericho knew they were next in line for annihilation.

Rahab had nothing to lose and everything to gain, so she asked the spies to make an oath that would preserve her and her family from death. The spies took an oath and said, “Our lives for yours” (v.14). For the oath to be binding, Rahab had to follow the spies’ instructions, which included binding the scarlet rope to the window used to let them down her wall.

When Joshua seized Jericho, Rahab and her household were the only ones spared. God remembered her kindness toward His people. She later married Salmon, who is believed to be one of the spies. She bore a son and named him Boaz. According to Matthew 1:5, “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,and Jesse begot David the king.”

Because of Rahab’s faith, not her profession, she is included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. 

Beloved, it doesn’t matter what others think of you; God has given each of us a purpose. No one can hinder what God has ordained. When others count you out, it’s evidence that God has counted you in. Remember, God told Samuel…”For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). 

Let’s keep our hearts pure before God. He has a time and a season to call us into the palace.

It’s always darkest before the dawn.

Pray,

Lord, thank You for never counting me out. What you have ordained for me is for me. Help me to keep my heart pure before You. Amen.

Posted by on Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 @ 12:30AM
Categories: Empowering, Encouragement, Inspirational
Tags: Jericho, Joshua, progress, racism, Rahab, spies, turmoil