Living a Life on MissionShembull

RAHAB & RUTH: FOREIGNERS IN GOD'S FAMILY

Think...

After reading the given scriptures, take time to consider the follow questions..

Were Rahab and Ruth originally part of the nation of Israel? Can you identify where they were from?

Re-read their statements of faith in Joshua 2:11 and Ruth 1:16. Can you tell how they came to these conclusions about the sovereignty and steadfastness of God?

Look for Rahab and Ruth in the lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1. What does their inclusion in Jesus’ family tell us about God’s character?

God’s missionary nation often did a very poor job of displaying their God to the world. However, Rahab and Ruth are two examples of people who encountered God through the Israelites and were drawn into His family.

Rahab was a prostitute from the land of Canaan. She lived in the thick of an idol worshipping culture. No one had ever come and told her about God. This makes her declaration that "the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below" such an incredible statement of faith (Joshua 2:11b, NLT). Rahab came to know God because she had heard stories of God parting the Red Sea for the Israelites, and of their unexpected defeats of powerful, neighbouring kings (Joshua 2:8-11).

Ruth also came from an idol worshipping people. She was from Moab (Ruth 1:4). She too made a powerful statement of allegiance to the God of Israel when she told Naomi, “Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” (Ruth 1:16b, NLT)

It’s not clear exactly how she came to have this faith, but we can imagine that perhaps she learned the basics from her mother-in-law. However it happened, she set her gaze on the One True God and never looked back.

How do we know that God approved of having these foreign women in the family of Israel? They were both given the privilege of joining the lineage of Jesus! From these former idol worshippers came the Saviour of the world.

God has always longed for all the nations to be part of His family. He will always welcome with open arms those who forsake their gods and follow Him with all their hearts.

Apply...

As you take time to look deeper into the lives of Rahab and Ruth, the unlikely missionaries, reflect on these questions in relation to your own life...

Do you share the heart of God, and desire for all people to be part of His family?

What could you be doing to draw the nations – across the street and across the world – to Jesus?

Extra challenge! Read through the rest of the story of Ruth to see what happened between her statement of faith and her inclusion into the lineage of Jesus!