Can you imagine having your worst sin recorded into the Bible for all to read, and not just once but for times? Suppose it actually became part of your name? That’s what happened to Rahab, “Rahab the prostitute” is what she is called over and over again. Prostitution in Old Testament times was not considered a victimless crime and was punishable by death. Yet here she is, “Rahab the prostitute.”
Obviously God choose and uses unlikely people. He used a young, ruddy, inexperienced boy named David to kill the giant goliath. He used a shepherd and fig tree keeper called Amos to speak to kings. He used an impetuous, uneducated fisherman named Peter to start the church. So, if He uses a pagan prostitute to save the lives of Joshua’s 2 spies, who are we to complain? She was unlikely a candidate as David or Amos or Peter. She was a Canaanite, not even a Jew. As such she was under God’s curse, not blessing. She was a woman, and women were not respected in Canaan. Jewish men would pray every morning, thanking that that He didn’t make them a woman. And as if that isn’t bad enough, she is a prostitute. Couldn’t God have done any better when looking for someone to help the spies and become an example of faith for us? It seems God goes out of His was to contact this woman and include her in His eternal plan.
You see, God values what the world rejects. God values and uses what world rejects. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things– and the things that are not– to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. Do you ever feel unworthy, unqualified, not good enough to serve God? If you do, then you’re in the place where God can start using you. He chooses those who have nothing to offer so they will depend on Him and He will be glorified in what results. He uses us for the same reason. You may not be a prostitute, yet in God’s sight you are no better! God chooses the weak in this world to be strong in Him. That’s me! And that’s you as well!
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Are you guilty of judging others by first impressions, before you really get to know them?
Do you make quick first decisions about a person by their initial impression?
Have you ever been wrong?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India, Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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