Beautifully Surrendered: God's Heart for His DaughtersSample

Read: Joshua 2; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:14–26

SOAP: Hebrews 11:31

By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of the disobedient, because she welcomed the spies in peace.

Into the text

Appointed by God to play a part in a plan she would never see fully fulfilled in her lifetime, Rahab displayed great strength, bravery, and faith. Rahab saved the lives of Israelite spies sent to scout the city of Jericho. Later, Rahab would have a son named Boaz, who would marry a woman named Ruth, who would have a son named Jesse, who would be the father of King David, and another long line of descendants would follow until a baby named Jesus would be born.

The men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11 (often called the “hall of faith”) weren’t added because they lived calm, comfortable lives. Rather, these were people who remained faithful even when they did not see the fullness of God’s promises fulfilled. They chose to follow God when it was hard, when it set others against them, and when it meant they had to make difficult or dangerous choices.

The safe choice for Rahab would have been to turn the Israelite spies over to the king of Jericho or to tell the king of their plans once they left so her city would be prepared for their attack. Stories of the incredible things God had done for His people had made their way to the people of Jericho. Rahab knew that nothing could stand in His way when God was fighting for His people.

In faith, Rahab hid the spies. With strength, she convinced the king’s men to look elsewhere for them. With bravery, she asked the Israelite spies to spare her life and the lives of her family members. Rahab didn’t try to convince them to change their minds and attack a different city. She didn’t run away before the Israelites returned. Instead, Rahab remained steadfast, followed the plan set before her, and had faith that God’s people would keep their word.

Following God has never been a guarantee of an easy, peaceful life. We are promised God will be with us no matter what we face. Rahab displayed a red rope in her window to remind the Israelites of the promise of mercy and rescue offered to her by the spies. In the same way, the blood of Jesus is a reminder that God washes us clean of our sins, offering us salvation and rescue for eternity.

May we be women who love God so greatly that we are willing to be strong and brave like Rahab as we choose to fight for a faith that aligns us with God and His Word, believing He will always keep His promises.