Faith, Grace, and Kindness

 DECEMBER 15, 2022

JOSHUA 2:12 

 "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.”

HEBREWS 11:31

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

JAMES 2:25

 . . . was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

Rahab. Do you know her name and story? This is one of the great stories in the bible that displays faith, grace, and salvation.

Rahab is introduced to us in the Bible as an Inn Keeper, and a prostitute living in the city of Jericho. We are told she enjoyed the protection of the king. Rahab had heard stories of the God of the Israelites and how he opened the Red Sea to save his people from the Egyptians. So, when she encounters two spies who are being hunted down by the king, she hides them in the roof of her house. She does so believing that their God is mightier than the king. When the king inquires if she has seen them, she denies having seen them and sends the king’s men on a what we call a “wild goose chase,” and thereby with an act of kindness protected the two spies. Risky? It sure was. If she had been caught, her life would not have been spared. Still Rahab, acted in faith in the God of Israel, hiding the spies through a generous act.

Rahab’s kindness results in two important outcomes. First, saving her and her family’s lives when the Israelites advanced on the city.

Second, Rahab became an ancestor of David. Matthew lists her in Jesus’ family tree, and the book of James names her as an example of Christian hospitality. The book of Hebrews also includes her in the roll call of heroes of faith, right alongside Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Joseph, and Moses. In other words, Rahab is our ancestor in faith. She saw and believed that God was doing something new in the world, and God made her a part of the story.

Through the grace and mercy of God, this woman who was an “outsider” provides us a role model of faith. We must not miss the fact that God used her story to remind Israel that they were not chosen because they were a great and mighty nation; they were chosen to be God’s people because of God’s compassion, kindness, and mercy. God chose Rahab too.

During Advent and Christmas, we also know that God is doing something new in the world. By faith we trust in our Creator who sent his Son into our world to establish his kingdom everywhere. Soon we will celebrate his birth, and at the same time we will look forward with expectation and hope to his return to reign forever. We pray, Come, Lord Jesus!