WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.560 Our reading is Joshua 2. 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:09.740 Joshua chapter 2. 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:17.219 Then Joshua, son of Nun, secretly sent two spies from Shittim. 00:00:18.019 --> 00:00:21.440 Go, look over the land, he said, especially Jericho. 00:00:21.820 --> 00:00:27.260 So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:34.079 The king of Jericho was told, look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land. 00:00:34.460 --> 00:00:37.539 So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab. 00:00:38.120 --> 00:00:44.000 Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house because they have come to spy out the whole land. 00:00:44.840 --> 00:00:48.000 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. 00:00:48.900 --> 00:00:53.680 She said, yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 00:00:53.679 --> 00:00:57.880 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. 00:00:58.439 --> 00:01:00.240 I don't know which way they went. 00:01:01.060 --> 00:01:02.079 Go after them quickly. 00:01:02.659 --> 00:01:03.939 You may catch them with them. 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:12.780 But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof. 00:01:12.780 --> 00:01:19.719 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan. 00:01:20.460 --> 00:01:23.799 And as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. 00:01:24.799 --> 00:01:29.920 Before the spies laid down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, 00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:36.659 I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, 00:01:37.180 --> 00:01:41.180 so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 00:01:41.740 --> 00:01:48.620 We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt 00:01:48.620 --> 00:01:56.379 and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 00:01:56.379 --> 00:02:02.739 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you. 00:02:03.079 --> 00:02:08.099 For the Lord, your God, is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 00:02:08.979 --> 00:02:16.539 Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family because I have shown kindness to you. 00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:25.280 Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters and all who belong to them, 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:28.120 and that you will save us from death. 00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:32.219 Our lives for your lives, the men assured her. 00:02:32.699 --> 00:02:39.460 If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land. 00:02:40.259 --> 00:02:46.599 So she let them down by a rope through the window, but the house she lived in was part of the city wall. 00:02:46.599 --> 00:02:51.620 She said to them, Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. 00:02:52.099 --> 00:02:56.859 Hide yourselves there three days until they return and then go on your way. 00:02:56.860 --> 00:03:06.960 Now the men had said to her, This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless when we enter the land, 00:03:07.320 --> 00:03:12.040 you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down. 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:17.540 And unless you have brought your father and mother and your brothers and all your family into your house, 00:03:17.760 --> 00:03:23.800 if any of them go outside of your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads. 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:28.439 We will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, 00:03:28.880 --> 00:03:32.380 their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. 00:03:33.300 --> 00:03:38.260 If you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear. 00:03:39.340 --> 00:03:42.500 Agreed, she replied. Let it be as you say. 00:03:43.040 --> 00:03:45.240 So she sent them away and they departed. 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:48.439 And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. 00:03:49.240 --> 00:03:59.120 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them. 00:03:59.920 --> 00:04:01.540 Then the two men started back. 00:04:01.980 --> 00:04:09.060 They went out of the hills, forwarded the river and came to Joshua, son of Nun, and told him everything that had happened to them. 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:15.960 They said to Joshua, the Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands. 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:19.220 All the people are melting in fear because of us. 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:21.620 This is the word of the Lord. 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:30.060 So, Joshua, all about the God who saves. 00:04:30.819 --> 00:04:36.459 And today we're going to look at Rahab's faith and our faithful God. 00:04:36.459 --> 00:04:40.759 Now, as a society, we love a good spy story. 00:04:40.859 --> 00:04:49.180 I don't know if you are one of those, whether it's John le Carré or Robert Ludlam, whether it's Jason Bourne or James Bond. 00:04:49.620 --> 00:04:55.459 You can be sure that spy stories will hit the bestseller list, will be a blockbuster movie. 00:04:56.259 --> 00:04:59.399 And Joshua, too, when we get into it, has that kind of drama, doesn't it? 00:04:59.419 --> 00:05:00.319 There's a secret mission. 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:01.879 There's deception. 00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:07.759 There is Rahab almost as a double agent working against her own people. 00:05:07.879 --> 00:05:10.579 There are daring escapes recorded. 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:13.519 But it's important for us as much as there's a wonderful story. 00:05:14.040 --> 00:05:16.719 Joshua is not trying to entertain us. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:20.159 The spies are not the main event. 00:05:20.279 --> 00:05:23.279 They're not the real heroes of the story. 00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:26.599 Rather, Joshua wants us to meet Rahab. 00:05:27.879 --> 00:05:34.319 And it's really interesting that if the story of Joshua is about the next stage of God's redemption plan, 00:05:34.919 --> 00:05:39.019 of the people entering into the promised land by conquest, this is an optional story. 00:05:39.099 --> 00:05:45.479 It doesn't seem to add anything other than, really importantly, to highlight her faith. 00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:52.720 And especially, as we'll see, her confession of faith in verse 8 to 14, which is the centre of this chapter. 00:05:53.160 --> 00:05:57.080 But again, even Rahab is not the ultimate hero. 00:05:57.580 --> 00:06:06.220 No, Joshua, as prophet, as preacher, wants us to recognise that the title of hero belongs, as it always does, to God. 00:06:06.220 --> 00:06:14.860 The God who is faithful to his covenant promises, the one who uses his power to save his people, 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:23.460 the one who is full of grace to Israel and to those outside of Israel who will put their trust in him. 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:31.320 The story of Rahab is also a story of faith and loyalty that's being tested. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:37.319 Today we're going to focus on Rahab's faith so that we can see more of our God. 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:43.459 But her story, in a sense, is where we will find parallels with ourselves. 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:49.379 And if you're following along in the mornings, maybe we'll see a parallel to Peter's letter. 00:06:51.480 --> 00:06:55.600 Rahab faces a test of loyalty. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:07:01.520 Which king will she submit to? 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:05.600 Will it be the king of Jericho or will it be the king of kings? 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:10.260 She is in a life or death situation. 00:07:11.260 --> 00:07:15.020 And she must decide where her allegiance lies. 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:25.020 Now I want us to think about the fact that every day, as Christians, we have our own tests of loyalty. 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:37.780 Will we be loyal and obedient to God in the way that we live and speak and act towards those in our houses? 00:07:38.660 --> 00:07:41.760 In our workplace, tests of loyalty. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:43.720 Will we be honest? 00:07:44.700 --> 00:07:46.980 Will we work with integrity? 00:07:47.920 --> 00:07:50.260 Will we serve others? 00:07:51.379 --> 00:07:53.560 Tests of loyalty in our speech. 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:57.160 Will we pass on that piece of gossip? 00:07:58.199 --> 00:08:03.939 Will we tell that joke even though we know it's not really appropriate? 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:09.959 Our loyalty will be tested over our resources that God has given us. 00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:11.500 How am I using my time? 00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:12.939 Is it for myself? 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:15.620 Or is it for God and his people? 00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:17.699 Is it to serve others in my community? 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:22.979 Our money can be a test of loyalty. 00:08:24.539 --> 00:08:27.219 Will I keep it and spend it and dream of how to spend it? 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:38.259 Or will I think about how to give sacrificially as the Bible calls us to in light of God's great mercy towards us? 00:08:38.259 --> 00:08:42.639 To serve the local church and then to serve the wider church? 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:44.620 Tests of loyalty all the time. 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:50.200 So how can we pass those tests should be an important question for us. 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:56.139 And where is hope for us when we fail those tests? 00:08:56.139 --> 00:09:05.740 And the answer to both those questions is to look to God's love for us expressed in the sending of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:12.299 So let's get into our story and let's think about the faith of Rahab. 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:15.779 Let's see first of all faith as loyalty. 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:21.639 There is perhaps a surprising switch of focus in the book of Joshua chapter 1. 00:09:21.639 --> 00:09:26.019 Attention was on Joshua, God's chosen leader. 00:09:26.319 --> 00:09:29.480 Chapter 2 in a sense couldn't be much more different. 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:35.919 Here the focus is on Rahab and she is foreign and she is immoral and she is from a pagan nation. 00:09:36.939 --> 00:09:44.480 But nevertheless the spies arrive sent into the land and they stay in what appears to be her home which was a hostel. 00:09:45.439 --> 00:09:50.799 Obviously a public space because word spreads about the arrival of the spies. 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:52.579 His word comes to the king of Jericho. 00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:53.199 Verse 2. 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:57.539 Look, some of the Israelites have come to spy out the lands of the king. 00:09:58.120 --> 00:09:59.219 Sends messengers. 00:09:59.819 --> 00:10:02.359 Can we imagine the knock on the door? 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:08.159 Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house because they've come to spy out the whole land. 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:09.799 So here's a point of drama. 00:10:09.939 --> 00:10:11.959 First real moment of tension in the story. 00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:13.579 What's going to happen next? 00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:16.839 And we need to recognise this is high risk for Rahab. 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:20.639 This is her potentially being guilty of treason. 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:25.899 If she is aiding foreign spies she is engaged in double agent activity. 00:10:26.460 --> 00:10:30.440 Working within Jericho for the downfall of Jericho. 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:36.040 And so Rahab in that moment has to show where her loyalty lies. 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:43.560 And what she does she shows new and higher loyalty because she's hidden the spies on the roof and she deceives the men who come. 00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:45.879 Yeah, they've gone already. 00:10:45.959 --> 00:10:48.699 You need to go chase after them. 00:10:49.959 --> 00:10:58.000 Perhaps you know the story of Corrie ten Boom and her family in the Netherlands. 00:10:58.199 --> 00:11:02.239 They hid German Jews from the Nazis. 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:07.399 They built or had built a secret hiding place within their house. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:23.459 And when explaining why, Corrie said that they answered to a higher authority and they were aiming to protect life against the threat of Hitler and Nazi Germany. 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:25.500 There's parallels. 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:31.579 But the point of the drama here isn't for us to consider the ethics of what Rahab did. 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:38.379 The Bible wants to draw attention simply to her faith and the strength of her faith. 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:41.600 That's why she's commended in Hebrews 11. 00:11:43.060 --> 00:11:49.540 And we see our story in Rahab's story in this way. 00:11:49.539 --> 00:12:06.039 When we hear the gospel, when we hear the good news that our creator God has so loved a sinful, rebellious world that he has come in the person of his son Jesus. 00:12:06.179 --> 00:12:12.599 That Jesus has been sent to show the love of God by dying on the cross in the place of sinners. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:16.740 Taking the judgment of God that sinners like us deserve. 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:20.840 Dying and then rising to secure our forgiveness and salvation. 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:24.139 That's a call to new allegiance. 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:28.620 We are called to submit to Jesus as Lord. 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:35.060 It's a new allegiance because naturally we say I am Lord and King of my life. 00:12:35.540 --> 00:12:39.420 But now we are called to say Jesus is Lord. 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:43.000 And so like Rahab, we have this point of decision. 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:48.860 Do you, do I today bow the knee to Jesus? 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:51.059 Do I respond in faith? 00:12:52.740 --> 00:13:01.679 And when we respond in faith, the Christian life then is about growing in love and service and obedience to Jesus. 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:05.879 And all the while the world wants to squeeze us into its mould. 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:11.679 And so there's temptation to give off being loyal to Jesus. 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:18.220 The devil wants to tempt us away from faith towards sin. 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:22.080 And our heart becomes a spiritual battleground. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:29.340 And so there is that constant challenge for our faith to stand. 00:13:29.559 --> 00:13:32.500 How can faith stand firm? 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:37.139 Well that takes us to the heart of this chapter. 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:40.019 And to Rahab's new heart. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:42.539 And to her confession of faith. 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:46.259 So the confession of faith is what we'll look at now. 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:48.320 And we know this is the centre of the story incidentally. 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:51.500 Because there's a dramatic pause. 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.580 Verse 7. 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:54.200 Let's read verse 7. 00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:56.379 The men set out in pursuit of the spies. 00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:59.180 And as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. 00:13:59.900 --> 00:14:00.340 Significance. 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:01.940 They're locked in. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:03.900 There's no way out. 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:08.640 And that tension doesn't resolve until verse 15. 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:11.340 So she let them down by a rope. 00:14:11.940 --> 00:14:12.759 In between. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:15.460 The gates being shut in the way of escape. 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:15.879 In between. 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:18.440 We discover what Rahab believes about God. 00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:20.840 And how that influences our actions of faith. 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:26.720 And one important point is that faith looks to God. 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:31.600 We must not presume when we come to our faith being tested. 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:33.580 To presume on our own personal strength. 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:39.160 To presume because we've passed previous tests. 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:41.200 That this time we won't fall into temptation. 00:14:41.320 --> 00:14:42.620 This time we won't fail. 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:49.179 Always and every day we must trust in the God who is faithful to his covenant promises. 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:52.299 The God who gives grace in our weakness. 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:56.220 The God who is strength sufficient for us. 00:14:57.159 --> 00:15:02.080 That God who by his spirit is with us and for us. 00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:05.240 So when it comes to the confession of faith. 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:10.539 We see that Rahab has come to discover four truths about God. 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:16.240 First in verse 9 we see her understanding of God's promise. 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:21.819 I know that the Lord has given this land to you. 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:25.500 This place where Rahab lives. 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:29.980 She knows that land has been gifted to Israel by God. 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:34.440 And that's part of the promise that was made to Abraham. 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.940 Genesis 12, Genesis 15. 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:40.639 That was a promise again given to Moses in Exodus 3. 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:44.720 It stands behind the purpose of redemption and rescue from Egypt. 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:46.759 That God would take them to this land. 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:48.159 To the promised land. 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:50.580 And Rahab comes to understand that. 00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:56.680 And the only way to understand how this new tiny nation of Israel that's never fought in any battles. 00:15:56.800 --> 00:15:58.700 Is able to march in victory. 00:15:58.920 --> 00:16:01.879 Is because of their great God. 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:05.120 And his great promises. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:07.200 That he must be faithful to. 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:09.400 So she knows about God's promise. 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:11.820 She also knows about God's power. 00:16:12.920 --> 00:16:14.200 Verse 10. 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:27.759 So there's two aspects that she's come to hear about by reputation. 00:16:28.400 --> 00:16:30.980 God has redeemed his people from Egypt. 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:35.379 There's the reference to the Red Sea being dried up and parting. 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:37.020 So Israel can walk through safely. 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:39.560 And the Egyptians are drowned. 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:43.079 And the enemies of God are being defeated. 00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:44.799 Sion and Og. 00:16:45.359 --> 00:16:48.479 People who stand against God and God's will and God's people. 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:51.559 They and their nation have also been destroyed. 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:53.479 And the result. 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.539 Verse 9. 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:59.639 People are melting in fear. 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.219 Verse 11. 00:17:01.739 --> 00:17:05.119 When we heard it our hearts sank and everyone's courage failed. 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:08.599 This is no ordinary army that Jericho is facing. 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.719 This is God's army. 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:11.500 This is God's power. 00:17:12.679 --> 00:17:17.179 She also recognises God's majesty. 00:17:18.199 --> 00:17:19.599 Continuing in verse 11. 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.339 Everyone's courage failed. 00:17:21.459 --> 00:17:22.199 Because of you. 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:27.939 For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 00:17:28.679 --> 00:17:32.399 God is all present and all powerful. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:36.019 So different from the gods of Egypt and the gods of Canaan. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:38.179 He's not regional and small. 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:41.279 And this of course is a key aspect of Old Testament worship. 00:17:41.939 --> 00:17:43.699 Key aspect of New Testament worship. 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:45.459 Of all true worship of God. 00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:48.039 There is only one true God. 00:17:48.919 --> 00:17:50.959 And he has no rivals. 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:54.719 And there are no limits to his kingdom or territory. 00:17:54.719 --> 00:17:59.179 And he demands exclusive worship. 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:02.019 And Rahab understands this. 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:06.560 And as she puts those three truths together. 00:18:07.820 --> 00:18:10.120 There's one more thing she understands about God. 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:13.080 And it's God's mercy. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.600 In verse 12 and 13. 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.560 This is amazing. 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:21.679 Now then please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family. 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:23.619 Because I have shown kindness to you. 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:27.519 Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:29.799 My brothers and sisters and all who belong to them. 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:31.240 And that you will save us from death. 00:18:31.919 --> 00:18:32.579 Who's Rahab? 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:35.359 Rahab is a pagan outsider. 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:36.899 And what's happening? 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.639 She's seeking. 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:42.399 And ultimately she's finding grace from God. 00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:46.919 Undeserved loving kindness from God. 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:49.879 She claims this covenant of protection. 00:18:50.639 --> 00:18:53.500 And that brings her into Israelite society. 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:56.619 And that brings her under God's covenant love. 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:58.699 So those promises made to the people of God. 00:18:58.779 --> 00:19:01.019 They'll be her promises too. 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:03.599 She appeals to God to be spared. 00:19:03.699 --> 00:19:05.699 For her family to be spared. 00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:06.839 And what's she doing? 00:19:06.919 --> 00:19:11.439 She's making the powerful, promise-keeping, faithful God her only hope. 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:16.959 Spy stories. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:17.579 If you've read them. 00:19:17.679 --> 00:19:20.859 They often have a tell us what you know scene. 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:25.579 Where one group interrogates another. 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.839 Where on Rahab's case. 00:19:26.919 --> 00:19:31.359 We have this wonderful, positive testimony of faith that emerges. 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:35.099 The heart of her faith. 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.159 The heart of our faith. 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:38.079 Is a God of love. 00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:41.279 Seeking to save the lost. 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:45.220 Seeking people from all nations. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:47.000 It's a reminder from the Old Testament. 00:19:47.439 --> 00:19:49.559 Of God's global mission. 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:52.599 That he is building at a church from all people. 00:19:52.939 --> 00:19:53.980 And all nations. 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:56.120 And all for his glory. 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:58.579 One more thing. 00:19:58.640 --> 00:20:01.839 I think it's vital that we recognise from Rahab's story. 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:08.819 And I think especially this is a challenge for folks who've been around church for a long time. 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:12.400 But maybe not considering themselves Christians. 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:17.500 It's important to recognise that knowing facts is not enough. 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:20.960 Faith acts on those facts. 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:25.539 Knowing God is real is not enough. 00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:29.579 Faith makes God our refuge. 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:36.599 Those truths that we know, perhaps that we've grown up with for years or decades, 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:40.039 need to become truths that we live by. 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:46.679 That they might transform our hearts and our worship. 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:55.640 As we think about the story of Rahab in this section and her confession of faith, 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:59.840 our minds are drawn to Jesus. 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:04.180 When we come to discover Jesus in the New Testament, 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:10.299 we find here is God revealed in his son and he is full of power. 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:15.220 Jesus who keeps God's covenant promise, 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:21.039 who establishes the new covenant in his body and his blood, 00:21:21.159 --> 00:21:23.619 sacrificed for his people. 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:29.139 Jesus who shows the mercy of God at the cross, 00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:33.039 dying in the place of sinners. 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:37.859 Jesus who shows us the majesty of God in his resurrection, 00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:39.980 in his return to glory, 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:44.639 in that now he rules and reigns as king of kings. 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:52.319 The example of Rahab teaches us that if we are to pass the test of faith, 00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:54.240 when our loyalty is tested, 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:57.859 how will we remain faithful under pressure? 00:21:58.259 --> 00:22:01.559 We need a high view of Jesus. 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:12.059 We need to confess and to believe in God's love expressed to us in Jesus. 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:17.299 To recognise at those points of temptation, 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:20.299 at those points of challenge, 00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:22.879 that knowing Jesus, 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:25.740 having the approval of Jesus, 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:29.700 receiving honour from Jesus is better 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:34.299 than folding and going down that other road. 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:40.519 I just finished John Owen's classic book called On Temptation. 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:44.400 A relatively short book and a relatively easy book to get into. 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:46.900 If you have the time, I could recommend it. 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:51.980 His basic theme in that book, 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:58.680 One, we must watch and pray so that we do not fall into temptation. 00:22:58.839 --> 00:23:03.099 So we must beware complacency and apathy 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:08.200 and drifting from the faith and the God that we confess. 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:13.360 And we must cling to the Lord Jesus as our only hope. 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:16.019 He is the Lord we confess. 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:20.599 He is the Lord we run to and cling to 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:23.440 in order to live a life of faith. 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:28.039 Now, back to the drama at hand 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:32.900 and let's see Rahab's faith and action. 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:35.299 Verse 15. 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:37.700 Remember, the city gates are shut. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:40.059 So the spies have no way out. 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:42.819 The spies really are in Rahab's hands. 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:45.960 What happens next? 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:50.700 If this were a spy drama 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:53.960 written by Lucari or someone else, 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:56.099 the tension heightens again here. 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:58.059 There's two ways it's going to go. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:02.240 Either Rahab will do the double cross 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:04.519 and hand the spies over to the king of Jericho 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:07.220 or there's going to be a high-risk escape plan. 00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:08.259 That's typically how it goes. 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:10.559 And here we see the good news, 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:12.980 a demonstration of Rahab's faith 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:16.579 with the safe escape of the spies from Jericho. 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:19.319 She let them down by a rope through the window 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:21.440 and she said to them, 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:23.539 go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:25.200 Hide yourself there for three days 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:27.579 until they return and then go on your way. 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.960 So they go down by a rope 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.359 and they follow Rahab's direction. 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.160 They're kept safe. 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.420 And back to Rahab's faith, 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:35.140 if there's one more act 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:38.759 that is important for her, 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:41.779 if she is to ensure her salvation, 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:45.480 she must stay quiet 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:48.880 and not speak about the plans of the spies. 00:24:49.820 --> 00:24:52.180 She must, verse 18 and 19, 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:55.580 gather her family into her house. 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:58.419 Her house becomes a safe house for her family 00:24:58.419 --> 00:25:00.879 and she must tie that rope 00:25:00.879 --> 00:25:05.119 outside of her window. 00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:08.779 And we know that she does all three. 00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.720 Verse 21, 00:25:10.399 --> 00:25:12.159 she sent them away and they departed 00:25:12.159 --> 00:25:15.179 and she tied the scarlet cord in the window. 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:18.400 And then we turn to Joshua 6 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:20.340 and the fall of Jericho, 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:23.140 we discover Rahab and her family are saved 00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:26.080 because she tied the cord 00:25:26.080 --> 00:25:31.480 so they knew where Rahab and her family were. 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:34.100 So Rahab here in this part of our story 00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:35.740 is now a part of God's church. 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:38.940 She has expressed her faith 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:41.940 and now her faith is seen in more action. 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:46.559 And it's significant that her loyalty to God 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:50.600 leads her to care for God's people 00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:53.220 at great personal risk to herself, 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:58.400 to show concern for God's mission 00:25:58.400 --> 00:26:02.320 at great risk to herself. 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:05.799 She understands that Israel against Jericho 00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:07.259 is not about politics. 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:09.140 It's not a power play. 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:12.040 It's about God's promise being worked out. 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:14.780 It's about the next stage of redemption history. 00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:18.000 And she identifies herself with God's people 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:20.040 and with God's plans. 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:22.840 And the spies are then now her people. 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:24.960 They're now her spiritual family. 00:26:25.060 --> 00:26:28.580 And so she puts faith in action to protect them. 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:32.280 And so very practically for ourselves 00:26:32.280 --> 00:26:33.680 in a local church, 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:36.580 can we find ways to put our faith 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:40.099 into action for others in the church? 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:44.259 Perhaps others who have physical needs, 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.199 practical needs. 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:49.099 Perhaps others who need a word of encouragement 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:52.159 to keep on going, to persevere. 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.919 Perhaps others who need an expression 00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:57.439 of God's love and kindness. 00:26:58.439 --> 00:27:01.039 Can we think and pray and act 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:02.460 to show our faith? 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:06.340 One last thing to say, 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:09.900 and this is about faith and encouragement 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:14.340 from verses 22 to 24. 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:16.680 This is the point in the story 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:18.400 where the spies return. 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:23.500 Again, if you've read any spy stories, 00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:26.279 crucial to a lot of those plots 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:29.259 is of spies going in, 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:31.319 a report or a document 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:33.559 being smuggled out at high risk, 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.779 being brought back to headquarters. 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:38.000 And this is often the turning of the tide 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.759 in the storyline. 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.879 And in a sense, 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:42.119 it's what we see here. 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:44.539 The spies come safely back to Joshua. 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.460 And here's the report 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:47.359 that's delivered in verse 24. 00:27:47.899 --> 00:27:49.460 The Lord has surely given 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.879 the whole land into our hands. 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:53.840 All the people are melting in fear 00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:56.100 because of us. 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:57.180 The Lord has given 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:58.600 and melting with fear. 00:27:59.860 --> 00:28:01.900 Have we heard that somewhere before? 00:28:02.760 --> 00:28:03.880 We have, haven't we? 00:28:04.280 --> 00:28:08.220 We've heard this in Rahab's own words. 00:28:08.820 --> 00:28:10.080 This report comes straight 00:28:10.080 --> 00:28:11.200 from Rahab's mouth. 00:28:12.020 --> 00:28:12.800 That is to say, 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.500 Rahab's faith 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:17.520 has encouraged the spies' faith 00:28:17.520 --> 00:28:19.060 in God's promises. 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:21.139 meeting Rahab, 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.099 they have been encouraged 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:23.460 by God's saving power. 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:25.279 They now know for sure 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.319 God will do 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.619 as he promised. 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.159 And again, 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:31.059 for us as a church, 00:28:32.179 --> 00:28:34.399 do we value this aspect 00:28:34.399 --> 00:28:35.299 of fellowship? 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:38.679 That the faith of others 00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:39.919 when we feel weak 00:28:39.919 --> 00:28:41.579 can keep us walking 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:43.119 in faith and loyalty? 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.799 Think about this coming week. 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:48.519 We have a chance tomorrow night 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:48.960 on a Monday 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:50.319 to pray together. 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:51.339 Now you might feel 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:53.680 tired 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.839 or you might feel awkward 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.359 or you might feel 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:56.200 life has been busy. 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:57.920 You just might not fancy it. 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.700 But if you come, 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.680 I can guarantee 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:01.319 that you will be encouraged 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.200 to hear your brothers 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:03.079 and your sisters 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:05.019 pray for God's glory 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:06.200 and for God's church. 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:09.299 Community group on Wednesday. 00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:11.139 You might feel rubbish 00:29:11.139 --> 00:29:11.740 and out of sorts 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.720 and the day's been hard, 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.599 the week's been hard. 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:13.859 Again, 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.779 you might not fancy it, 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:16.039 but I can guarantee you 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:17.299 that if you show up, 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:19.420 God will encourage you 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:20.960 as your brothers and sisters 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:23.039 are speaking the truth 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.559 to one another 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.539 from God's word 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.659 as they're praying 00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:26.519 for one another 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:28.200 and for you. 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:30.019 We need others 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.480 sometimes 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:32.220 to strengthen our faith 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:34.940 when we feel weak. 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:39.660 And it's also important 00:29:39.660 --> 00:29:41.380 for us to see again, 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.059 and we've been seeing it 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:42.519 in 1 Peter, 00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:44.160 that faith has this 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:46.320 future look to it. 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:48.320 Here come the spies 00:29:48.320 --> 00:29:49.120 and they're full of faith. 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.299 The Lord has surely 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:51.640 given the land 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:53.580 into our hands. 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.279 For them, 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.840 their faith 00:29:55.840 --> 00:29:57.980 would be reaching its goal 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.380 at the promised land 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.600 and they were confident 00:30:00.600 --> 00:30:01.120 in God. 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:02.080 For us, 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.440 our faith, 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.080 our future 00:30:04.080 --> 00:30:05.559 is eternal glory. 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:06.539 It's the new heavens 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.120 and the new earth. 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.519 It's being with Jesus, 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.140 our Lord, 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.080 forever. 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.640 Do we have faith 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.640 that God's promise 00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:14.200 in Jesus 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.660 will never fail? 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:17.900 Do we recognise 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:20.160 that we can trust him? 00:30:20.820 --> 00:30:22.080 When Jesus cried out 00:30:22.080 --> 00:30:22.680 on the cross, 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:23.700 it is finished. 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.380 He made the plan 00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:25.059 of salvation 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:26.220 was finished. 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.220 So by faith, 00:30:27.320 --> 00:30:28.759 our future is secure 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:29.720 because our salvation 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.580 is secure. 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.500 This is Joshua's 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.519 powerful sermon. 00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:36.160 Joshua means 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:37.000 God saves. 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:39.259 Joshua was the author 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.079 and Joshua, 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:40.900 God saves, 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.900 is the title. 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.839 And we get a beautiful 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:44.059 picture of God's salvation 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:45.000 in the life of Reha, 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:45.680 a beautiful picture 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.460 of the gospel. 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:48.119 Here is God's powerful love 00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:49.799 that comes to a pagan outsider, 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:50.920 someone known 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:52.140 for wild and moral living, 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:53.359 but God's grace 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:54.460 finds her. 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.539 It leads to a changed heart 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.460 and changed loyalty. 00:30:57.599 --> 00:30:58.500 It leads to actions 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.420 that show that God 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.160 is her Lord. 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:02.680 And she helps 00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:03.240 and encourages 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.519 the faith of others. 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:08.019 And we can learn 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.660 from Rahab 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.180 that if we want 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:10.400 a faith that stands 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:11.660 up to interrogation 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.820 and opposition, 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:15.360 challenges to loyalty 00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:16.120 in Jesus, 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:18.160 we need a faith 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:19.660 that sees and submits 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.880 to Jesus 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:22.560 as Lord, 00:31:23.040 --> 00:31:23.600 powerful, 00:31:23.820 --> 00:31:24.600 promise-keeping, 00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:25.700 majestic, 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:27.080 merciful Lord Jesus, 00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:28.419 that we would make 00:31:28.419 --> 00:31:29.699 him our rock 00:31:29.699 --> 00:31:32.139 and our refuge. 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:36.259 of peace. 00:31:38.360 --> 00:31:38.660 judgment 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:38.800 from 00:31:38.800 --> 00:31:39.840 Jesus 00:31:39.840 --> 00:31:40.000 also 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:41.480 Johnson 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:41.840 and 00:31:41.840 --> 00:31:41.960 times 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:42.460 from 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.000 to 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.320 be 00:31:43.320 --> 00:31:45.660 tomorrow 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:45.720 to 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.100 be 00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:46.880 ujemy 00:31:47.800 --> 00:31:48.420 to 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:48.540 la 00:31:48.540 --> 00:31:49.240 altre 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:49.680 Cry 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.500 I 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:50.820 and 00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:51.140 I 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:51.420 season 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:53.440 nisse 00:31:53.560 --> 00:31:53.740 효 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.360 continue 00:31:55.040 --> 00:31:55.960 to 00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.640 la 00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:57.100 mortgage 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:57.540 Israel 00:31:57.620 --> 00:31:57.860 it 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.280 dub 00:31:58.280 --> 00:31:59.080 ovat 00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.880 resistance 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:01.259 Luis