“Then she said, ‘According to your words, so be it.’ And she sent them away, and they departed.
And she bound the scarlet cord in the window” (Joshua 2:21).
Few of us got up today to look heavenward and say, “I’m available today; use me, Oh God!” That’s generally not the way it happens. At least, not in my life. Over time I’ve discovered He uses me when I least expect it: when I’m most vulnerable, feeling weak, unprepared, or out of sorts, and sometimes when I sense a real but temporary disconnect from God. I suppose He does it this way because it’s all on Him when I’m at my worst or weakest! And the results generally blow me away! So then, all I can do is praise Him! Nothing thrills me more than partnering with God to advance His kingdom. You could say, “He, alone, determines our availability and purposefulness! He is God, after all. I used to think I had a hand in it, but I can assure you, “If it benefits the kingdom, it’s all on Him; He always brings it to bear.”
In our key verse, Rahab said, “According to your words, so be it.” These words are profound, because at their core we find submission and faith. Rahab is in a sticky wicket - a tricky spot - because Jericho has been condemned for destruction, and that day is fast approaching! The Israelites were daily inching closer. Indeed, a merciful God had waited 470 years for the “days of the Amorites to be complete.” (Read Genesis 15:13-21.) Even though the news of their coming did not spur the pagan peoples to faith, Rahab confessed: the entire land “heard and feared the Israelites and Yahweh, their powerful God!”
Rahab, however, is another matter altogether. She did not fear, but instead was open to receiving. When she met the spies she knew their appearance was unique, not a mere casual encounter. Moreover, despite her uncharacteristic profession and questionable moral character, she is the only name we know from Jericho. That’s right! Of its presumed 2,500 inhabitants, God’s electing love chose one and sanctified her for usefulness and salvation. Although she might seem the most unlikely candidate for kingdom work or salvation, that’s always God’s call. So even though she was not your typical girl next door, God’s grace apprehended her and called her forth. Did you catch that? Rahab, the harlot, might appear unworthy, but she was the very one God chose to save and use. New to the faith, most assuredly, she felt unprepared and weak, but God reversed the curse over her, making her available and purposeful. Again, in all of Jericho, we only know one name: Rahab, a sinner saved by grace. But it’s more than that! Only Rahab believed, confessed, and testified of the Canaanites’ fear. (Read Joshua 2:8-13.) Realizing the inevitable, Rahab confessed dreadful fear - hers and the entire region’s!
Note from our focus verse that Rahab’s faith was active – it worked. I’m not suggesting that “works” saved her; quite the contrary. But watch this! Biblical faith is confident obedience to God’s word despite the circumstances or consequences. It’s never stagnant, but lives and is active and vibrant and moves after a pattern and type of Christ, which is love. Although we can’t see faith, we always see the results. We’ll sum it up by agreeing: Faith is rooted in the love of Jesus, has eternity in view, serves the greater good, and is connected to God’s divine power for His purposes.
Although Rahab was new in her faith, she interceded for her family and believed the spies promise for them. Therefore, she was moved to confess, “According to your words, so be it.” She obediently moved upon that faith, hung the scarlet cord in the window, and gathered her family behind its surety. Did you catch that? Rahab believed God’s Word and acted accordingly! That’s huge for believers.
Before we move forward, look at our focus verse again. Rahab said, “According to your words, so be it.” Do those words seem familiar? Of course, they do, as they should. In Luke 1:38, Mary said to Gabriel at the time of her immaculate conception, “…let it be to me according to your word.” (Emphasis added.) Both women believed God, and their words point to faith and submission, but other commonalities exist. First, both confessors are women, and their confessions are uncoerced and sincere. Although the words are not identical, they convey sincere hope in God. Both essentially said: “My confidence rests in God’s promises. Even though I’m facing uncertainty, I trust Him to bring His word to performance in my life.” Their faith, particularly Rahab’s, was unspoken and unrealized moments before, yet both confessions were complete. How do I know? Neither could predict or anticipate God’s call - pray it up or dress for the occasion. Nor could they predict the outcome or protect anyone from the consequences, including themselves. Even so, they believed for themselves and others! But that’s not all. There’s even more, so let’s break it down, beginning with Mary.
Mary was a devout Jew from Nazareth who knew God’s word. Like all the Jews, Mary awaited her Messiah. When she heard Gabriel’s prophecy concerning God’s plans for her future, she heard hope in a time when Israel suffered under the weight of harsh Roman oppression. Upon hearing, Mary was convinced that only God could bring about an immaculate conception, protect her, and preserve His unborn son until the appointed time. Mary also knew the prophecy: Her Messiah would be born of a virgin. (Read Isaiah 7:14.) Mary surmised: “Yes, Why not me? I’m a virgin and I’m available!” And so Mary responded, “Let it be to me according to your word!” (Read Luke 1:34-38.) Miraculously, Mary never doubted!
Rahab knew something was coming too, but it was something quite different. She was fully persuaded that nothing could stop the Israelites now. When the spies spoke, Rahab heard hope in their message. She regarded it as true and acted upon the promise of deliverance. The Bible says, “She received the spies in peace.” That means Rahab’s yet undeclared faith sprung into action in resolute peace and without apprehension or fear. What does that tell us? Simply this: Salvation is a divine spiritual transaction whereby the heart is awakened to God! Simultaneously, God’s Spirit ignites in us (we are born of His Spirit), which births our confession of faith. Every time, it’s a divine miracle from God from the foundation of the world. God saw Rahab’s day (and ours) and her faithfulness before she was born. According to Hebrews 11:31, Rahab’s faith assures she was prepared to assume present peril for future preservation. (Read Hebrews 11:31.) Why the peril? Rahab lied to save the spies. So yes, she worked against the king in a treasonous posture which could have cost both her life and her family’s. Mercifully, they were saved on the day of Jericho’s judgment. (Note: Her family was spared that day, but to join Rahab in God’s family of faith, personal belief and confession must follow.)
With every fiber of their beings, both believed even though more than 1,400 years separated their confessions! Indeed, they trusted enough to save themselves and change their eternal destiny (and ours). Their confidence was in God’s word because that’s all they had. Both would be cast out! Rahab was already an outcast, and Mary would be once her pregnancy was revealed. Lest we forget, according to Old Testament law, Mary was facing death by stoning for her pregnancy. And so, although saved, both faced perilous danger, perhaps death, unless God’s words were true. Their confession of faith endangered others, too. Mary’s risked her betrothal to Joseph, while Rahab’s endangered her family. Now, that’s incredible. Did you catch that? Both dared to believe against all odds. What odds? That the God who called them was a God of truth! Both were moved to trust that they’d see the reality of God’s promises! Ladies, that’s saving faith: the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. (See Hebrews 11:1.) Moreover, both were willing to be used by God to advance His kingdom, regardless of the cost. But there’s one more incredible connection that we can’t ignore. Both women are in the line of Jesus and glorify His name through their incredible story of life-changing, awe-inspiring faith, and that’s no coincidence!
So what about their connection to Jesus’ lineage? Notice that Rahab later married a prince of Judah and had a son named Boaz. Boaz grew up and married Ruth, the Moabitess. Of their loving union, a son named Obed was born, who became the father of Jesse. And Jesse became the father of King David. Over David’s life, God said: “And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever…” (2 Samuel 7:16). And of course, we know Mary is the mother of salvation - Jesus!
What’s our takeaway? Saving faith has not changed, nor has His plan to save us. From the beginning, faith is still faith; God is still God; Jesus is the same Savior - our Redeemer and Lord; and salvation is still salvation. So when you’re feeling weak or unprepared, remember that and anticipate God. Recall His promises concerning you and trust Him. After all, He’s the author and perfecter of your faith. Even today, He is bringing about His desired end. He will use your inadequacies to bring glory to Himself. Your part is to trust Him and, by faith, get up and do the next right thing. In so doing, you are available. Ladies, God doesn’t want lip service. He wants a heart that confesses Christ as Lord and says, “According to your word, so be it.”
Prayer: Mighty and gracious Lord, give us the grace to trust you like never before. As needed, help us to believe for our families and share your truth accordingly. If needed, prepare us to assume present peril for the future preservation of men's souls! Make us available, Lord, and empower us to serve the greater good to advance your kingdom. Amen and amen.
Note: For further insight into the condemnation of Jericho, review Deuteronomy 20:16-18 and Leviticus 18 and 20. Also, if you are unfamiliar with the Davidic Covenant, you may review 2 Samuel 7:8-29.
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