06/10/2023 - BROTHEL OWNER BECOMES SAINT

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And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.” Joshua 2.16

We must never discriminate against anyone. Look at the case of Rahab, who became a holy woman when she heard about God’s deeds for Israel. Meditating on the Scriptures changes anyone into someone of value. This change happens because the faith that God gives you when you heard about the divine operations not only protects, but also leads to repentance and forgiveness of the sins of those who had let themselves be used by darkness. By believing, you will be healed and saved (James 5.14,15)!

Joshua had sent two men to spy out the land, but they would have been discovered if Rahab, the owner of a brothel, had not hidden them. She did that because she feared God. In fact, some people saw the spies and warned the king of the city. However, the servants of the Almighty will always be guarded by His love. Those who are in the work of the Most High must trust that He will guide and protect their steps (Psalm 34.7).

After evading the king’s envoys, Rahab let the spies down through a window and instructed them to hide in the mountains for three days and then go their way (Joshua 2:16) and tell Joshua the news. She was an important part in the advance of God’s work. Jesus’ disciples, on the other hand, forbade a man to cast out demons, because he did not belong to their group. But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side” (Luke 9:50).

When talking to the spies, Rahab made it clear that the people’s hearts were in pieces. For this reason, she asked them to protect her when they were to take over the city of Jericho. In this regard, the Bible states: and said to the men: “I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you.(Joshua 2.9). This gladdened the hearts of Joshua’s envoys, for they saw this as a confession that God was in that matter. 

Rahab continued her narrative, telling how the hearts of everyone in Jericho were. Converts to God can be used as soon as they repent and hear the account of the Lord’s work:  For 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 the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed (Joshua 2.10). She listened and believed!

The hearts of the two spies must have been comforted by Rahab’s statement; after all, it confirmed the Lord’s presence in that task. Surely, they couldn’t wait any longer to tell Joshua everything that this woman had reported: And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath (Joshua 2.11). This information was so valuable!

After demonstrating her faith in the God of Israel, Rahab asked for herself and her family, obtaining the following answer: Our life for your lives! (Joshua 2.14a). We should use this example to ask God for similar blessings. Don’t leave yours out of salvation!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares