Day 8: Rahab

Her name means storm, arrogance, broad or spacious. She is known for her occupation as a prostitute but most importantly her unwavering faith in the God of the two spies whom she sheltered. She brings to life the ever so popular saying, "God qualifies the unqualified". She was not deserving to be associated with the God of Joshua. She was a prostitute after all. Yet she knew so much about this God. She says to the 2 spies that she sheltered, "The Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below." Furthermore she demands the 2 spies to swear that they will

protect her as much as she had protected her. And in their response the 2 spies vowed to keep her safe. What they told her to do she did without hesitation. Two things comes to light from this encounter that she had with the spies. She was both clever and wise. She could bargain with the 2 spies. Their lives for her life, they said. Because of her line of business, bargaining and negotiating were a necessary skill for her business to be profitable. And she used that skill with the 2 spies. They had to promise her some sort of incentive for protecting them. Their lives for her life. Bargaining and negotiating is an art and a skill to possess. I was watching an investment programme on TV and after presenting their idea, 2 entrepreneurs asked for £130 000 for a 10% share of their company. One of the investors gave them an offer of all of the money for 35% stake in the business. They declined the offer without making any counter offer or negotiating. She was shocked that they didn't make a counter offer. She expected them to. This is the advice that they get from the investor, "Always negotiate offers." Another interesting aspect about Rahab is her faith. Did she not for a second question how a scarlet cord tied to the window on the side of the house would be able to save her and her household? What went through her mind as she saw the Israelites surrounding the city? Was this scarlet cord the only thing that was going to save her? She only had to wait. Was the waiting enough? Oh yes, these are the same questions that we have whenever faced with a promise that seems too good to be true. Will it truly happen? Should I do anything to assist the process? Is obedience to this command enough? Yes it's enough. All we have to do is to trust God and work our faith. This faith granted Rahab a footing in the wall of faith. Her name is noted down as a hero of faith. There was nothing out of the ordinary that she did. She trusted God and that qualified her. It is not what we are in possession of or our titles that qualify us but our faith in the Most High. A prostitute was qualified, flawed and all yet she found favour in God's eyes. May you also find favour before the Most High God. May God qualify you and use your somewhat unfavorable traits to work for your good. Anna writes, "God doesn’t wait for us to become spotlessly clean or totally mature in our faith in order to use us. Instead, he takes ordinary, willing people and accomplishes the extraordinary, both in their lives and in the lives of those around them. As he did with Rahab, he promises to use us, and through that experience to perfect us."