RPG Adults
THE MISSION FULFILLED
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
Joshua 2:1-24
Matthew 1:1-5
“And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab;
and Booz begat Obed of Ruth;
and Obed begat Jesse.”
THE MISSION FULFILLED
The safe return of the spies was all important in that mission. They hid in the mountain three days and were not discovered. They then returned to Joshua and reported the success of their mission. They told of the faint hearts of the inhabitants of Jericho and all of Canaan. They affirmed that, truly, God had given them the land and delivered the inhabitants into their hands. They were also in agreement about the safety of Rahab. She later married Salmon, believed to be one of the spies. Her name is in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
The time had come and the first step to enter Canaan had been taken. Jericho was the first city set for capture. It was God who made this possible as He had promised from the time of the calling of Moses. He had put fear in the hearts of the inhabitants so that there was no more strength in them to fight back. Faith in God and the mediation of Christ is the hope of salvation for everyone who believes in Him. Here is a comment by Matthew Henry that sums up the episode,
“It was by faith that Rahab received those with peace, against whom her king and country had war. We are sure this was a good work; it is so spoken of by the apostle, Jam 2:25; and she did it by faith, such a faith as set her above the fear of man. Those only are true believers, who find in their hearts to venture for God; they take his people for their people, and cast in their lot among them. The spies were led by the special providence of God, and Rahab entertained them out of regard to Israel and Israel’s God, and not for lucre or for any evil purpose. Though excuses may be offered for the guilt of Rahab’s falsehood, it seems best to admit nothing which tends to explain it away. Her views of the Divine law must have been very dim: a falsehood like this, told by those who enjoy the light of revelation, whatever the motive, would deserve heavy censure.”
THOUGHT: “Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.”
PRAYER: Father, may I ever be assured of Thy saving grace.