By Faith, Israel and Rahab
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being marched around by the Israelites for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed. (Hebrews 11:30-31)
Continuing through the Israelites history, after Moses and the Israelites left Egypt captivity, unfortunately, their faith did not endure and resulted in disobedience against God. As a consequence of their actions, they had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Yet, everyday God provided them sustenance through mana from the heavens, which was collected daily to make bread. After the 40 years, Moses was allowed to see the Promised Land, but could not enter. From there, he named his successor, Joshua.
Joshua was not only a brilliant military leader, but he also redirected the people back to being faithful to the Lord. With the Lord’s help, the Israelites were able to defeat larger armies and have many victories. One miraculous story in particular was the city of Jericho. The Lord gave Joshua instruction that the people were to march around the city of Jericho for six days. On the seventh day, they would march around the city seven times, everyone was to shout, and the walls would fall down. By faith, the people believed and obeyed God’s command, and the walls fell, as seen in Joshua 6:20, “So the troops shouted, and the rams’ horns sounded. When they heard the blast of the ram’s horn, the troops gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. The troops advanced into the city, each man straight ahead, and they captured the city.”
Everyone was destroyed, except Rahab and her family. A few days before this all occurred, Joshua sent spies to get information on the strength of the city of Jericho. Rahab the prostitute, heard of what God had done to protect the Israelites from the Egyptians, their other military conquests, and wanted to be spared as seen in Joshua 2:10-13:
10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan. 11 When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below. 12 Now please swear to me by the Lord that you will also show kindness to my father’s family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and save us from death.”
Rahab then helped the spies escape the city. Her faith in the power of God and her actions of protecting the spies led to her whole household being spared, as seen in Joshua 6:17, “But the city and everything in it are set apart to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and everyone with her in the house will live, because she hid the messengers we sent.”
The Israelites faithfully marched every day around the walls of Jericho, most likely being mocked by their enemy as they did this. Yet in the end, their faith was rewarded. Rahab, who wasn’t perfect by any means, heard of God and was transformed. She acted out in faith, which led to her whole family being spared. Not only that, but she is even listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:5. Faith in God can break down obstacles in our lives and transform us.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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