Day 353, Year 1

Receive the Messengers of the Lord by Faith

“By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.” (Hebrews 11:31 NASB)

Before the downfall of the city of Jericho, Rahab’s words and deeds are recorded in Joshua chapter 2. The writers of the Book of Hebrews highlighted the trusting relationship between the gentile Rahab, who obeyed the God of Israel in that unbelieving city, and God. After that, the Israelites went around the city for seven days (Joshua 6), and then it collapsed.

The prostitute Rahab took refuge in the God of Israel, for she had heard how the Red Sea had parted when the Israelites were leaving Egypt some forty years earlier, and how they defeated the kings of the land of eastern Jordan and Edom. She said to the two Israelites, “For the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” (Joshua 2:11b NASB) Likewise, people of any nation today can take refuge in the God of Israel. Rahab saw the two Israeli spies as the angels of the Most High. The word “peace” in today’s verse, in Greek eirene, here also means “harmony and unity in human relationships.” Rahab welcomed the spies in peace, and this shows that her faith was united with the God of Israel. Thus, she obeyed their words and was saved.

When we come to God, we will also receive His messengers. By obeying the words of God’s messengers, we are not going to perish. Today, God’s messengers can be understood as the authors of the Bible, and also Christians who can help us draw closer to Him. Contrarily, those who refuse to take refuge in the God of Israel are called disobedient. Still, some take refuge in God, but do not receive His messengers. Do these people really trust God? I’m not sure. Perhaps, because of some developmental problems, etc., some people are suspicious of others, and it is difficult for them to listen to God’s messengers. Those with generational or upbringing factors affecting growth may find it difficult to obey God’s messengers. These problems must first be resolved, step by step, by the Lord’s help. Choosing to obey God or not determines whether we perish in the future.

Common prostitutes betray their bodies for money. Probably, the mentality of those prostitutes is: when God benefits them, they feel His love. When God gives them sufferings, they then no longer believe in Him. But believers must move beyond this kind of making deals with God. Rahab had been changed after she had taken refuge in the God of Israel (Matthew 1:5). Her faith showed that she had come to believe in God with all her heart, but had nothing to do with the trading mentality concerning her faith.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you feel that you are a person who easily obeys God’s messengers and listens to His Word? If not, how can you make a breakthrough with His help?

2) Do you trust in Jesus with all your heart and abandon the mentality of trading with Him? Why?