Month: December 2023

Rahab, Jael, and a Champion in Judah

(Part 1)

Had she been caught, they would have killed her. Maybe even through severe torture. She flat out lied to the security forces, hid spies in her house, and risked her own life by placing crucial information in their hands, while leading to the destruction of her own people.

Why Did Rahab Do It?

Because she saw what God did for Israel and understood that He is sovereign; and because she wanted to save herself and her extended family.

Her story is documented in Joshua 2. Verse 5 tells us that while the spies were hidden on the roof of Rahab’s house, she misled the king’s men and endangered herself while diverting the danger from the spies.

She then made some exceptional statements (v. 9-11): “I know that God has given you this land; we are terrified of you; we heard what God did for you at the Red Sea and across the Jordan, and fear has melted our hearts.” And most importantly: “I know who your God is. His name is YHVH, and there is no one above or below Him.” In short, He is in control of everything.

Rahab made the spies swear that she and her household will be safe, and in verse 16 she even gave them strategic instructions, taking further risk.

It sounds like all the inhabitants of Jericho heard what God did for His people, and that everyone’s heart melted. But only she believed (Heb. 11:31) and did something about it. Rahab chose to join her lot with people who until then were considered her enemies.

Thus, from the margins of society and from living on the outskirts of the city – on the wall – she crossed into the heart of consensus. She later married Salmon, a leader in Judah, bore Boaz (Mat. 1:5), who married Ruth, and became part of the Messiah’s lineage.

I read her story and think of possible “Rahabs” who might live today in Gaza or in south Lebanon.

Father, there are somewhere people who, in these crazy times, see what even we cannot see. Please open their eyes and show them that You gave this land to your people (v. 9). May Your fear fall upon them and their hearts melt, until they will be ready to choose You and acknowledge that You alone reign in heaven and on earth (v. 11).

Jael

The Kenites (her tribe) were allies of Hazor, one of Israel’s enemies. After Barak and Deborah defeated Hazor’s army, the enemy’s commander – Sisera – fled to the Kenite’s territory. He stumbled into Jael’s tent, who did a Rahab-like deed (Jud. 4:21-17).

Sisera asked her to protect and lie for him (v. 20). However, Jael probably knew that the battle was lost, so she too made a bold decision. She used the simplest means at her disposal: water, milk, a peg, a blanket. She didn’t need more than that to crush the enemy’s head.

Now I think of possible “Jaels” in south Lebanon and Gaza.

Father, empower those women and men, who are willing to choose and strike, even though the means they have are simple. I think of the inhabitant of Gaza who had to leave their home. What do they have left now? A tent, a peg? Maybe a blanket and a cup of milk? But they haven’t lost the ability to choose. With these simple means they can cross the road, relay vital information to the IDF and tell the soldiers in a tank where kidnapped children are hidden; or bewildered Holocaust survivors, who once again endure the horror of Israel’s hatred; or people who woke up early one Saturday morning about two months ago, to go for a run or breathe fresh air, and have since lived in foul-smelling tunnels.

Awaken in them the courage required to offer a cup of milk and a blanket to a kidnapped baby or adult within their reach, and also to decide that they themselves deserve something better. Father, make them raise their eyes higher, above their fear of other humans. Replace this fear with fearing You. Reveal Yourself to them so they may see You. I ask it in Yeshua’s name.