Pillow Talk
and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.” Joshua 2:9 NASB
I know – How did Rahab know? How did she know that these men were from the tribe of Israel? How did she know the story of the crossing of the Red Sea? How did she know that YHWH, the God of Israel, had given them the land? How could she know these things? She was not a world traveler. She was not a politician. She was not a state official. How could she know?
Scuttlebutt, that’s how. Pillow talk. Rumors. Stories. If Rahab entertained men (or even if they merely lodged at her inn), it is more than likely that she also listened to their tales. And if the two men who are spies are masquerading as traveling “clients,” it wouldn’t be long before she could put the stories together and arrive at the conclusion she expresses. Rahab’s occupation puts her in the ideal place to overhear confidences, evaluate reports and recognize impending danger.
Yada’ati – I know. She is certain that these men are not tourists. She is certain that their God is about to bring destruction. Therefore, she acts out of self-interest. “Keep me and my family alive.” She takes risks in both directions. First, she lies to her own city-king. If she is caught, her life is probably over. Secondly, she places her well-being in the hands of two strangers, strangers who really have no reason to rescue her.
But Rahab seems to know a bit more than the current political situation. “I know that YHWH has given the land to you.” Rahab knows YHWH? How? How could she know about this God of the Hebrews when no Hebrew had been in the land for centuries? How could she know about the promise to Abraham? Once more we encounter the inclusiveness of God. YHWH doesn’t show Himself only to the sons of Jacob. Just as Jethro, the Midianite priest, knew YHWH; just as Hagar, the Egyptian slave encountered YHWH, so now Rahab tells us that she knows YHWH. The Tanakh is the record of God’s interactions with His people Israel, but there are indications that God is busy with others too. God’s work in the world stretches forth among all men, even if Israel is the place where God reveals His specific plans and intentions. Rahab knows YHWH. That fact alone ought to leap off the page in surprise. Maybe, just maybe, God is doing things among people who fall far outside our consideration of appropriate spiritual relations.
Rahab concludes with a statement with far-reaching consequences. Yes, she has heard the rumors and the reports, but her decision is not based on sound bites from the nightly news. She says, “YHWH your Elohim, He is Elohim of the heavens above and the earth below.” This is a profession of monotheistic faith out of the mouth of a woman in a pagan and idolatrous culture. Rahab might as well be standing with the congregation at Sinai and saying, “Shema, O Israel, YHWH Eloheynu, YHWH ehad.” Before Rahab becomes part of the congregation, she is already expressing the faith of the congregation. We just have to listen between the lines.
Perhaps this part of the story of Rahab teaches us something about those “outside” our borders. Maybe we need to listen more intently to their expressions of desire and hope. Maybe we need to be more sensitive to the fact that God doesn’t exclude any who seek Him no matter where they come from. Perhaps the lesson here is that God is God – and all we are required to do is watch for His handiwork everywhere we happen to go – even in the house of Rahab of Jericho.
Topical Index: know, yada’, Shema, Rahab, faith, Joshua 2:9
>>it wouldn’t be long before she could put the stories together and arrive at the conclusion she expresses. Rahab’s occupation puts her in the ideal place to overhear confidences, evaluate reports and recognize impending danger.<<
G-D CALLING
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1.18)
We are so blessed. We are "overly" blessed. We are a Gospel-saturated nation. And G-d's book says "to whom much is given, much is required." Yes, Rahab was is the right place at the right time and heard the right words from the right people. Her words were (in essence) the very same words of the Philippian jailer: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And the response of the G-d's messengers were also similar "you shall be saved" and your house- those who abide with you.
Rahab heard about the G-d of Israel- the word was out and her heart was prepared and ready to receive. She believed a promise spoken by these two witnesses- you will be spared/rescued/delivered/saved.
We also have heard the stories of G-d's deliverance of His chosen ones. (Shall we review Hebrews chapter eleven,- G-d's hall of fame? Remember Moses? David? Samson? Malachi? Habakkuk? Peter's story. Paul's story. Mary's story. – What about our story? Do we have a story to tell to the nations also? A story of rescue and deliverance. A story of Redeeming blood? A love story, strangely similar, to Ruth, one who had no hope and no future apart from her blessed Kinsman-Redemeer.
The story of the prodigal father and the wandering son- so somehow "familiar" to me. For I too was a wandering, squandering son, living in the filth and stench of sin. Wallowing in the artificial happiness of this world, as do those who are strangers from the covenant-promises of Israel. I strangely identify with the idea or concept of a wandering sheep or errant son.
All these stories, after awhile- become incarnate. They are fleshed out in the very one who reads them. I see my "self" in each of these. I am the leper who was cleansed. I am the thief beside the Crucified ONE. I am the blind man who cries: "Yeshua- Thou Son of David- have mercy on me." I am Lazarus- the one who was dead and now raised to walk "in newness of life."
How is this happening? The very same way it "happened" to Rahab the harlot. I also have been in the ideal place to overhear confidences, evaluate reports and recognize impending danger. I have heard the "good news" of a Savior. ONE who has come to rescue and to redeem. ONE who now lives to receive, regenerate, restore and renew. –
Have you seen this man? G-d's messengers report -He is a Friend of sinners. Is this true?
So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Acts 10:34-35.
So thankful that YHWH is YHWH, and that His objective is for every man and woman to come into relationship with Him.
Mighty YHWH, you are the true revealer of hearts and You seek out those who long for more than what this life can give. Blessed be your mighty Name!
I have heard the voice of the LORD from some surprising directions and from some amazing sources. Not only did He get my attention; not only did I receive His message, but He offended my mind to reveal my heart.
Hi Roderick,
“He offended my mind to reveal my heart.”
That’s a very curious expression. I’ve never heard it before but it caught my attention. Could you unpack it a little bit more to help me understand just exactly what it means and when it would apply. (Not asking for personal examples…just general ones.)
Thanks!!
Judi,
The phrase (for the record), “God offends the mind to reveal the heart” does not originate with me. Like most things in my life it is borrowed and adapted. The author I retrieved it from had something else in mind when he said it. I will not comment on his point-of-view, but will gladly illustrate mine.
In general my point is that God will allow someone or something to offended us and in so doing our character, motivations, and intentions (heart) are often revealed. It is always easier to focus on the person or things that are offensive. We find others to agree with us and form alliances with them; or in some cases a church or new religious movement. What is not so easy to focus on is the truth of our heart. That’s because our tendency is to hide, mask, spin, or cover up the issue. We become the great pretenders; we play to the audience and deflect its attention elsewhere.
Honest investigation begins with true introspection. We must challenge our own heart before we challenge the heart of others. The judgement of the LORD is about restoration. Yes, but where is it initiated (Jer 25:29, 1 Pe 4:17)? The judgements – mehel l’hara – do not have the appearance of anything resembling pleasant, good, appropriate, fair, or profitable. Yet, because God is the One driving it becomes very telling. Revisit Habakkuk and see how God permits the Babylonians to overrun Judah. The Prophet is extremely offended. While there might be a degree of punitive justice being levied, I argue that much more the Beloved is revealing the truth about His people’s infidelity and narcissism. Why? He wants so much for them to repent – to turn and come back to Him.
This makes sense when we consider the enormous error of Israel’s idolatry, but it might seem a little overkill when we are striving to honestly walk in the ways of the LORD. However, in my own life I have and still do experience this principle. So, when in the course of my life I am offended I seek to first understand what the offense reveals about me (this is a work still developing in me), before I seek to judge, correct, or confront the offender. Many times I am the one who needs to repent.
In relation to Skip’s article today I believe this is relevant. When one holds to a theology that requires servants of the LORD to first be clean and pure (sexually and otherwise) before they can be used by Him for His purposes, then it is offensive to consider that God chose an active prostitute (a madam perhaps) to redeem a household, provide for His people, and be included in the genealogy of the Messiah. What does the offense reveal and of whom is it revealing?
Hi Roderick,
Thanks for taking the time for such a lengthy and detailed explanation. It makes a lot of sense. It also puts the pressure on “we the people” to look at ourselves before we judge others. Amen to that.
God has been giving me an ever increasing awareness of my need to do just that…OFTEN.
Funny how things link together, huh? Have been struggling with this with one of my adult children over the last 7 months. It seems that the response toward G-d and others when He “offends the mind to reveal the heart” has visible and sometimes tangible results. In our situation, there are two opposing responses in the conflict. There is a palpable mental and emotional deterioration where the response is rebellion, and denial of the truth, whereas an acknowledgement of G_d’s authority and the truth in the matter is creating a mental and emotional strength and peace amidst the struggle and pain. Thanks for your insight Roderick!
Would this be a good time or place to remember “salvation is to the Jew first and also to the Greek?”
“For G-d so loved the world?” “Whosoever will may come?” I am grateful to G-d, this is so. Yeshua said to her, “First, let the children eat all they want. It’s not right to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; (two words that fit together so nicely) yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” (Mark 7.28)
Let’s open this to discussion. Why do people (both Jew and Gentile) today- reject Christ as the Messiah? It’s a mystery to me. Is it a matter of ignorance? (they just don’t know?) or is it a matter of distraction?- are we so busy- we don’t have time for G-d? Sports? Television? Fitness? Does G-d “matter” to anyone today? Do we (today) need a Savior? -Why?