By faith the harlot Rahab

 

By faith the walls of Jericho

 

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. - Hebrews 11:30-31

 

The walls came tumbling down. What an amazing illustration of the power of faith. God’s battle plan for Jericho. March around Jericho for a week and give a shout and the walls will fall.

 At least as amazing though are the words ‘by faith the harlot Rehab.’

Wait, by faith the HARLOT Rahab? 

That’s right – the harlot Rahab. Not only does she appear here, but James speaks of her as an example of how works evidence true faith. 

Why Rahab of all people? I’ve often wondered that. Here she was a woman of ill repute who hid the spies in Jericho from the crowds looking for them and then said she hadn’t seen them. She hardly seems in our judgmental fleshly eyes that she would qualify for the Hall of Faith. 

I don’t know how this all worked out, but I do know that God said her works proved and her faith got her a mention here.

I guess its just a matter of God showing us that in His grace and mercy and infinite wisdom He can use anyone, even the weak and frail and imperfect.

That’s a good thing because that means God can use Roger the self-centred man or Roger the proud man or Roger the guy with the evil thoughts or Roger the unloving. 

Thank God for this little reminder that no one is beyond the power of faith.