1-2-11

Day Two.

I posted separately what I gained from Genesis 2-5 because it was quite lengthy. The rest of my reading today was Joshua 2, Psalm 2, Proverbs2, Isaiah 2, John 1:6-34, and Acts 2

In Joshua chapter 2 we find the account of two men who came into Jericho to spy out the city. They are hidden and protected by a prostitute named Rahab.

Jericho had already been declared condemned by God and it was just a matter of time before His final judgment would be executed against it. Whether the people in Jericho “felt” condemned or not did not matter because everything and everyone in the city would be destroyed. However, they were aware that something was not right and did not feel fully confident nor peaceful, and yet did nothing to change their spiritual circumstance. Although they sense the end was near, they remained hardened until the very end.

God first spoke of the judgement of Jericho more than 470 years earlier. (Genesis 15:13-16). This included the 430 years Israel lived in captivity in Egypt and the additional 40 years Israel wandered in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. Rahab says the people of Jericho admit they heard about the Exodus from Egypt that took place some 40 years prior. In fact, Joshua 4:19 and 5:10 indicate that there were even a few additional days of waiting leading up to the final week when Israel would march around the city providing an additional opportunity for them to repent. Rahab represents the remnant, the few who respond the right way to the signs of God and repent, whereas the others typify the condemned who steadfastly refuse to change their ways even though presented the opportunity to do otherwise time and time again.

The great thing about Rahab is she had great faith in God. She believed Him to be Lord. She turned aside from the word's view, away from idols, and the what was popular. And because of her faith not only was her life spared but her entire family. And on top of that God blessed her to be part of the direct line of Jesus. For we read in Matthew 1:5 that Rahab gave birth to Salmon who was the father of Boaz. Boaz & Ruth had Obed who gave birth to Jesse. 

God will always bless us when we apply faith and trust in Him. Fittingly the last verse in Psalm 2 that I read today says;

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Rahab certainly did take refuge in Him!

Isaiah 2

In Chapter 2 we are still focused on the great sin taking place in the hearts of God's children and the warning of judgment that will fall.  I read it several times in NIV, NKJ, and the Message and the verse that kept standing out to me was the very last. Verse 22 says: Don't put your trust in mere humans. They are as fail as breath. What good are they? Seems simple but I am always caught up in wanting to please people. Wanting to gain some sort of status or popularity. This verse jumped out at me for that reason. God is whom I am to put my trust and in Him alone. Just as Rahab did. She did not get caught up in pleasing her people, her king. She didn't get caught up in being popular. I am sure if she had turned the men over to the king she would have been honored and praised. But she gave that up and trusted God alone. She put her trust in the one who had the power to give life or destroy it.

Help me Lord to always trust in You and You alone!