Posts
So, last night in our study, we looked at two examples of faith. One was the example of Abraham who showed faith by holding nothing back from God, not even his most valued treasure - the very promise of God - his son Isaac. He trusted that God would keep his promises.
The second illustration is from Joshua chapter 2, the story of Rahab the Canaanite prostitute who showed faith by deciding to turn from the idols of Canaan to the God of Israel. She risked her life to protect two strangers. Two foreigners. Mortal enemies even. She risked everything to protect two Israelites from the king of Jericho. (Joshua 2:1-24)
The fact that she was a Canaanite AND a prostitue would have been scandalousness enough. However, what several women from our study really wanted to know is: Given the fact that she LIED, how could God 1) bless Rahab and her family for her faith and 2) show her as a positive example in two New Testament passages -- the hall of faith (Hebrews 11:31), and in the call to faith that works (James 2:25)-- and 3) name her in the Messiah's geneology (Matthew 1:5). Isn't lying sin? How can this be? Are we to understand the Bible as a case of “situation ethics?" (e.g., lying under certain conditions is acceptable?).
At first, this seemed like one of those questions that when you hear it, you're like, uh oh. This is going to be a stumper. Of course, I'm the kind of person who takes it as a mission. As it turns, this is not as complicated as I had originally thought.
Let's take the simple facts:
1- yes lying is a sin and is condemned by God as a sin.
2 - Rahab lied to save the spies in Joshua 2.
3- Rahab is commended for her faith in the New Testament by James and the author of Hebrews.
Now, let's dig into the details - what does God's Word specifically say was she commended for:
"because she welcomed the spies" Hebrews 11:31
and "even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?" James 2:25
No where is she commended for lying. Her act of lying is not to be misconstrued as justified or justifiable, because that is not why she is called out in scripture.
She is, however, commended for welcoming and giving lodging to the spies and sending them off in safety. Keep in mind, these spies were children of the holy God of Israel. In Joshua 2 we see the whole basis for her kindness to the spies:
Joshua 2:11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
It was out of awe and reverence for the holy God of Israel.
Finally, we know that all of Old Testament heroes in the Hebrews hall of fame, including Abraham, who James mentions also, all lived lives that were not honoring to God and did not always obey or trust God perfectly. The point is not to justify sinful behavior in these figures, but rather to show that sinners just like us can be changed so that by faith we do great things for God. God does this even while we were dead in our transpasses and sins. Especially while we were dead in them.
Just like Rahab, while she was breaking God's law by sinning, God saved her and she turned away from her past. With man this is a great dilemma. With Christ, the dilemma is put to death on the cross when he died for our Rahab lies and all of our Canaanite evil deeds. When we received Him in faith, and put our trust in Him alone as our Lord and our Savior, the dilemma ended!! We were raised from dead works and total depravity to life. And each day we are being made more like Him and our faith that works grows as we remain in His Word and in His love.
I think Ephesians 2 explains it best:
Eph 2:3 "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus."
Just like Rahab.
(by the way, Pastor Betters' sermon series that he gave last Christmas on the five women who shaped Christmas includes some of THE most awesome OT gospel preaching that you will ever hear. If you have a chance to get it, I would highly recommend it!)
4 comments:
Deb, thank you for taking the time to research Caryn's question and provide for us the answer that you discovered. It's perfect really. Yes, we're sinners and we fall short every day. But by grace and mercy and the saving faith that is a gift from God, He uses us. Just like he did Rahab.
Thanks again, Deb.
Becky
Thanks, Deb for your response. We did a litlle research on our end (my mother and I) and via the Bible Knowledge Commentary, it explains that through the Providence of God, He led the spies to Rahab and spared her not only from physical death but an eternal death. It goes on to say that after she lied, she met the spies on the roof. She responded to the Word they spoke to her and then made a confession of faith. The spies told Rahab if she protects their mission, they would protect her and her family. They essentially asked her to lie. She would have been bound by law to report them.
According to the New Geneva Study Bible (edited by R.C. Sproul), the writer of Joshua neither condemed nor approved Rahab's actions. However, James approves the action in James 2:25 saying deception is a neccessary tactic in war (the commentary's words, not in James). The main point is why she protected the spies.
It is my personal opinion that deceiving the enemy may not be the same as a lie in the Biblical sense. This was War. I doubt the spies (or any spies) would waltz into a city and announce their attentions if asked.
This was certainly a doozy of a question! But by further research, I feel confident in my opinion and the fact that it is shared by other leaders in the Reformed faith.
Thanks for your input!
Caryn
Thanks Deb for researching Caryn's question. I love digging deeper into the events in the Bible. It was a good question that created some good discussion.
I love these stories of people, like us, who sinned, but by God's grace were used to be great examples. I love reading about David. God loved him even though his history is filled with murder, adultery and other sins. God has used these people to show me that, despite the many times that I've fallen, He will always be there to pick me up and use the experience to make my faith stronger. His love for us is amazing! Our trials and how we respond to them may encourage others just as Abraham and David's faith encourages me.
Thanks again for the additional insight. We have a good group.
Megan
Hi Becky, Caryn and Megan! Thank you for your input.
Way to be Bereans and test everything by the Word of God. Caryn, I love the way you and your Mom went deeper into the Bible Knowledge Commentary and other resouces! It definitely gave me a lot to think about.
When I read your comment, I couldn't help but think about how Rahab had spent her entire life on 'the other team.' When the spies came to her, they really were her enemies from a cultural perspective. BUT because she had a reverence and fear of God AND because she recognized them as God's people, she was compelled to embrace them and their God. In the short little event, she made a decision by faith to forsake everything she knew as a Canaanite. That was amazing faith!!
One more thing, I'm really taken back by how the bible links faith in God with our actions toward His people. If we say we believe in God, we will want to be with His people and we will make great sacrifices to love other believers.
That's what I was thinking.
Post a Comment