Reflections on "Hanging Out with Rahab" Joshua 2: 1-21; 6: 15-25

The two texts read told the story of the fall of Jericho and the role Rahab played in it, both of which are great sermon topics.  

A surprise for me -- I knew it was the Sunday we were ordaining and installing Elders and Deacons, but in my mind I did not try and connect the sermon to that part of the service, including picking the hymn after the sermon ("the Summons," a John Bell hymn) to go with the ordination/installation part of the service.  Surprise -- the sermon ends up connecting with the hymn and with ordination/installation in what I thought was a powerful way.   Makes me wonder if my mind was on being called to service and that shaped my sermon sub-consciously, or if it was one of those serendipitous moments.  Either way, it worked well for me.

I enjoyed this sermon again.  It was one of those weeks when it seemed like an ok sermon at the Chapel service, but it became a really good sermon by the Sanctuary service.  At the Sanctuary service it hit one of those moments when everyone was still and quiet overcame the place, which generally means the sermon is hitting all cylinders.  

One of the women in the congregation asked for me to preach on Esther, in part because it's a great story about a woman.  I am not going to get to Esther, but I hope my treatment of Rahab reflects how God used women in powerful ways in the biblical story.

“Hanging Out with Rahab” February 2, 1014; Joshua 6: 15-25; Joshua 2: 1-22; OT Stories series; FPC, Troy;

Introduction: Hanging out with Rahab literally.  The two Israelite spies hang out on Rahab’s roof among the flax to hide from the Canaanite soldiers.

The two spies literally hang out Rahab’s window as she lowers them outside the wall of Jericho to escape.

Rahab hangs out the crimson cord outside her door when the Israelites attack Jericho so that she and everyone in her family who is left unharmed.

A great story about the prelude to the fall of Jericho, and the prime character, the heroine is Rahab.

Two things: What the important role Rahab plays tells us about God.

The choice Rahab makes to align herself with God.

Move 1: What Rahab's role tells us about God.

            a.  Rahab is the very first person Scripture introduces us to in “the Promised Land” (Twelve Extraordinary Women, John Macarthur, 54)

1.  Rahab was prostitute.

2.  Rahab exemplified the Canaanite culture with its emphasis on sexual promiscuity and the prominent role sex played in the Canaanite world, particularly related to the practices of the religious cults.

            3. Rahab lives in Jericho.  Jericho was in a strategic location, at the openings of two vital pathways through the surrounding mountains. Conquering Jericho would give Israel and important foothold in the Promised Land (Macarthur, 56)

            b. God delivers Jericho to the Israelites through Rahab.

1.      Spies don’t survive without Rahab.  They don’t get the job done without Rahab.

That means God's people are saved by a woman

            3.  Not just a woman, but a woman prostitute. Not a mighty warrior judge like Deborah or a royal queen.  No, Israel is saved by a woman prostitute, who would be pretty low on the list of people and their status in those times (first might be king; then a man; then a woman; and lower than that even, a prostitute woman)

c. Biblical story does not shy away from Rahab like her presence was a random event best forgotten.

            1.  Rahab's name will be mentioned in the genealogy section of the Gospel of Matthew.

            2. The genealogy that reveals the lineage of Jesus.

            3.  Rahab also gets mentioned in the Letter to the Hebrews.

            4. She uses her as an example of how her faith saved her.

            5.  James uses her as an example of how one's works save.

            6. As an aside, the early church battles over the issue of works vs. grace.

            7.  Rahab makes both lists.

This story of the spies in Jericho reveals the mysterious God who chooses to use the unexpected person in surprising ways.

A God who might even use you!

Move 2:  Rahab chooses to join with God.

    a. Maybe it was a calculated gamble

          1.  Canaanites were not the best group around.

           2. Maybe her life situation was as bad as a prostitute she was willing to do anything.

            3. Maybe she was the Israelites as more powerful than the Canaanites and cast her lot with them.

            4. In retrospect, it worked out well for her family.

b.  But listen to what Rahab says:

            1.  I have seen and heard what your God has done – how God has rescued you from Egypt.  How God is with you now.

            2.  I have heard about your God, and I choose to follow your God. 

            3.  And not just follow in a little way, but I am going to risk my life to help God and God’s people. 

            4. Wow. What a faith statement.

            5. What a powerful model for discipleship.

            6. And because she chooses to align herself with God, she helps God save the Israelites and she saves her family.

.

            5. The God of salvation revealed through Rahab the Canaanite, prostitute woman.

Conclusion:   I have seen and heard what God has done, and I choose to follow.

Hanging out with Rahab might be good for all of us.