Can God use sinners while they are still sinners?
Some would probably say a resounding “no!” However if this is true, we have a very serious problem with an incident that occurred in the Bible.
This particular incident has had more than its share of comment, criticism, and speculation. Those who reject the biblical record say it proves a variety of conclusions. Some use it as an attempt to reject the Bible completely.
Prior to Israel entering the promised land, Joshua sent spies to scout the land just across the border. Eventually, they entered a house. Rather than write the event, here is a quote of the incident from the Bible:
“Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as scouts secretly from Shittim, saying, “Go, view the land, especially [a]Jericho [the walled city].” So they went and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab, and lodged there. 2Now the king of Jericho was told, “Behold, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to spy and search out the land” So the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, because they have come [as spies] to search out all the land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them; so she said, “Yes, two men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.” (Joshua 2:1-4)
Why would a prostitute risk her life for two strange soldiers from Israel across the border?
There are a variety of reasons offered by those who reject the Bible (mostly because the woman was a prostitute), saying the spies would not have trusted her. Apparently, they knew she was a prostitute. We are not given every detail, but this woman protected the Israelite men at the risk of her life. For some reason, apparently God’s intervention, she risked her life to protect the men. (Please continue the incident through verse 24)
Why does this incident speak volumes today?
There is perhaps several reasons as to why she protected the spies. But the root cause of her actions was God’s purpose.
God’s primary purpose for this being in the Bible is that God wants us to understand one of the most important principles and basic truths that all of us must have. Not only the present believer, but every potential believer in Jesus Christ. What is it that God asks of all those who are called by Him to salvation, and every believer until He returns?
It consists of one word:
Faith!
What was her name? It was Rahab
The prostitute was given the gift of FAITH. It was by the gift of faith that she had been given that she risked her life to protect the spies.
“Rehab remains as an example of a woman who, who because of her faith was not only pardoned, but was raised to a position of honor. Rahab was raised to a position of honor among the people of God. She married into a respected family of one of the chief tribes, and found a prominent place in God’s history of salvation as the great-great grandmother of David. She is commended in the NT for her faith (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25)” - NSAB Commentary.
Is there any wonder everything in our lives revolves around just one word?
FAITH
“ But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” - Hebrews 11:6