“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.” – Hebrews 11:30-31
In the book of Joshua, we read the story of the entry of the Israelites, whose parents had been slaves in Egypt, into the promised land. After Moses’ death, Joshua led God’s people into the land God promised to Abraham, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Joshua sent two spies into Jericho before he led the people across the Jordan river, so that spies could check out the land and the city and assess it for a battle plan. Rahab, a local who lived in the walls of Jericho, hid and protected the spies, lying to her king and sending the king and his soldiers on a wild goose chase. She had heard of the success God had given to the escaping slaves, and of God’s miracle drying up the Red Sea so that the people could cross over and escape Pharaoh’s army.
Rahab embodied Jesus’s words in John 10:38: “Believe the works, that you may know and understand.” Rahab saw the miraculous work of God on the behalf of His people and God worked in her to demonstrate faith.
In a church I went to, there was a woman whose father suffered in pain in a hospital for a long time. Her family wondered why God kept her father alive for so long, suffering so deeply, in pain before God took her believing, faithful father home to be united with Him in heaven. Yet at the end of his life, a loving, sacrificial, caring, faithful, prayerful family was able to witness to the medical staff who cared for him. A nurse who cared for her father became a believe in Jesus because of their care and witness.
The woman thought, “THAT is why God has kept my father alive; now He will let him pass in peace.” Her father continued to live but didn’t get better enough to be released from the hospital. After several more days of continued love, yet another nurse came to faith in Christ! After the second hospital staff came to know Jesus through the witness of faith of this man’s family, he died peacefully in his sleep and now lives with Jesus.
The cloud of witnesses that surrounded him in his last weeks and days were a witness to Jesus and His love. Their faith in God and love for people that stems only from Him who first loved us showed two different staff the truth of a God who loves.
Through God’s miracles in the wilderness, Rahab was brought to faith in our Lord in Jericho. Through God’s work in this man’s life, and in the lives of his family, two medical staff were brought to faith in Christ. Even when we don’t know it is happening, God can use us as heroes of the faith. You never know when God will use unlikely or difficult circumstances to share the good news of Jesus with others.
Questions
- How have you seen the work of God in your life?
- How has God worked in your life in ways He promises to be present, such as Word and Sacraments?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the gift of faith in my Baptism. Thank you for coming to me, Jesus, in Your body and blood, forgiving and strengthening me, uniting me with the cloud of witnesses you have surrounded me with. May others see Your light through my love. Amen.
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