March 15 I Tuesday

Deuteronomy 25-27

Mark 14:27-53

“Before the spies lay down for the night, [Rahab] went up on the roof and said to them, ‘I know that the LORD has given this land to you 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.’”  —Joshua 2:8-9

Rahab, a prostitute from Jericho, hid two Israelite spies on her roof and lied to the king of Jericho saying that these spies left at dusk when the city gates were closing. After the king’s messengers left, Rahab went to the spies and told them, “I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us…” (Joshua 2:9). What is intriguing from Rahab’s statement is that she used the covenant name of God, “LORD” or Yahweh, which was the name that God gave to Moses at the burning bush. Rahab used this name as though she recognized Yahweh. Even when there were a multitude of gods worshipped in her society, something about Yahweh stuck out to her.

      Rahab continued, “We 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. When we heard of it, our hearts sank and everyone’s courage failed because of you...” (Joshua 2:10-11). Rahab’s statements revealed that while Israel wandered in the desert for forty years, word about what God did spread. This was foretold by God to Moses that His name would become known throughout the whole world through His mighty act of judgment towards Pharaoh and the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. Rahab’s statement was confirming that everything God told them was true. This is the greatest confirmation that anybody could give—when our own enemies confirm what God said.

      Rahab believed the word of the Lord and placed her faith in Him. Rahab made a request to the spies: “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” (Joshua 2:12-13). Rahab had as much faith, or maybe even more faith than Joshua and the rest of the Israelites, such that she staked her life, her future and the future of her family in the name of the Lord. She trusted His name to protect her, in the power of the name of Yahweh. She knew that if these spies broke this pledge that God would deal with them as severely as He dealt with the Egyptians at the Red Sea. Rahab risked everything for her faith in Yahweh.

Prayer: Dear Yahweh, You are the almighty God who defeated Pharaoh and the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. I wholly place my faith upon Your holy name. Thank You, Lord.