In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and the woman told them “as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that you will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token. And that you will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death”, and in chapter two and verse fourteen of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how “the men answered her, Our life for yours, if you utter not this our business” where we read,
And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if you utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.
The verse reads, “And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if you utter not this our business.” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the men answered her” which means “and the two men from Israel responded to her, the Rahab”, “our life for yours” or “our, the two men’s, living and ability to live in exchange for yours, Rahab’s living and ability to live”, “if you utter not” which means “whether, in case and on the condition that you, Rahab, do not declare, reveal and proclaim” “this our business” or “this, the saving of the two men’s lives, speech, word, occupation and matter”. Joshua or the writer shared how the two spies from Israel told Rahab that because she was to save their active living, they would save hers, as long as she did not speak of this matter.
The verse goes on to say, “And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.” Joshua continued with the words, “and it shall be” or “and it, the following, will exist”, “when the LORD” which means “at the time and moment Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “has given us the land” or “has granted, bestowed and assigned the region, territory and district to us, the two men and the people of Israel”, “that we will deal kindly” which means “that we, the two men and the people of Israel, shall fashion, accomplish, make and produce goodness, pity and faithfulness” “and truly” or “and firmness, faithfulness, truth and reliableness” “with you” which means “toward you, Rahab”. Joshua or the writer shared how it would happen at the time and moment Jehovah God granted and bestowed upon the people of Israel the territory of Jericho that the people of Israel would produce goodness and faithfulness toward Rahab.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how there was an agreement made between Rahab and the two men from Israel. The two men agreed to save Rahab’s life because she saved theirs. If she tell anyone about the two men, when they took over the city of Jericho, they would treat her with kindness. God desire is to save people, not condemn them. (See John 3:17) When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be resurrected from the grave after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will help us know the truth and the way we are to use His wisdom in the salvation He offers to us and others.
Next time the writer or Joshua shares how, “she let them down by a cord through the window”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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