The above account is given by Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, who understood the Fear of the Lord. Think about it! How is it possible for a woman of non-Jewish descent, to have such an awareness of the power and might of God? In Part 2 of our overview of the Joshua generation, we will consider the Fear of the Lord at work among the enemies of God. Secondly, through Rahab, we will examine the plan that God had for the Gentiles. This account holds deep meaning for our day.
 
Nothing can stand before the Armies of God
There are seasons where it seems like the enemy is in the ascendancy. He demonstrates his prowess while seeking to intimidate the people of God into a state of paralysis. Goliath dominated Israel until a faithful shepherd boy named David took him down with a sling (1 Samuel 17:49).
 
David, at another time, saw the enemy as an overwhelming force, only to see him quickly removed (Psalm 37:35-37). The key weapon cited in this account is Peace (v37). Pharaoh and the might of Egypt were destroyed as Moses led the people of God out of their prolonged captivity (Exodus 14:16). The might of Babylon under King Belshazzar was destroyed in one night as the writing came upon the wall (Daniel 5:4-6). The arrogant king who mocked God was quickly rendered to fear and trembling as God began to move.
 
The adversary will go to great lengths to intimidate and hinder the onward journey of God’s people. He knows his time is short, so he fights with every weapon in trying to keep us from aligning with God. Our part is to hear and respond to these seasons.  Do you sense we are in a time such as this?
 
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
 
The situation for Esther and the Jews was desperate. The enemy, under Haman, plotted to annihilate all Jews and everything seemed to be in his favour. Yet in a moment, everything changed.
 
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided. (Esther 7:10)
 
Remember, when God decides to move there is nothing that can stand in His way. No matter how difficult a situation may look, God is still in control.
 
Rahab and the Gentile Church
One cannot help but be amazed at seeing the hidden hand of God at work. Rahab not only understood the power that resided upon the people of God, but she also risked all she had in providing a covering of protection for the spies. This not only resulted in her life (family included) being spared, but it opened the door for her to come into the genealogy of the future Son of Man.
 
Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse. (Matthew 1:5)
 
Rahab bound a scarlet thread in her window which served as a picture of redemption (Joshua 3:21). Rahab’s discernment and obedience resulted in a vivid portrayal of the future Gentile church. In addition, it allowed for God’s sovereign hand to work in unexpected and glorious ways.
 
Message for Today
The Joshua generation of our day must know the authority and mandate that God has given. The enemy has been served notice and as a result, quakes in fear and trepidation. His attacks will intensify towards those who are like the Joshua’s and Nehemiah’s of our day. This is why we need to be strong and of a good courage (Josh 1:9).
 
How many Rahab’s are there in our world? God’s redemptive work is far more glorious than we can fathom. Is there hope and potential in prostitutes, drug addicts and others enslaved by sin? The Joshua Generation is more than just a catchphrase for the last days. There is so much to glean from the first six chapters of the Book of Joshua. In our next segment, we will consider the significance of the Jordan Crossing.