Posted by
Doctor Bart on Saturday, July 07, 2007 11:48:28 PM
I will be teaching a Family Service on the 29th. I will be teaching the story of Rahab, which is in and of itself a little unusual for an audience that includes elementary age children. Yet Rahab is a tale of incredible faith. She risked everything in service to a God that was foreign to her and her people. The foundational faith upon which her actions were based is found in her statement to the spies she endeavored to protect. Look at what she says-
Josh 2:9-11
9 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.
10 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.
11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
(NIV)
with this statement we can see several things about her faith-
She acknowledged the plan of God: The Lord has given this land to you
- not us
- it is unavoidable
She acknowledged the power of God and the deeds of God: The parting of the Red Sea and the victories over Sihon and Og
- He is powerful
- He is victorious even against overwhelming odds
She acknowledges the supremacy of God: “God in heaven above and earth below”
- In doing so she renounces the gods of Jericho
- And acknowledges the completeness of God’s superiority
When is the last time any of us made a stand like that?