Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

3. this is the last that we hear of Rahab in the history of Israel, but it is clear that she was savedfrom death by grace through faith as she heeded the meager and logical conditions levied by the men ofGod who kept their word and rewarded her melted, faithful heartE. Aftermath1. the epilogue on Rahab’s story states that she continued to dwell among the Hebrews for the restof her life and she actually became something of a Jewish heroine because she responded to the nation ina way that most did not2. one legend argues that she became the wife of Joshua himself and this romantic sentiment isprobably behind the shifted translation of her occupation from harlot to harmless innkeeper 413. we are more interested in what inspired Bible writers had to say about her however, and herplace in two passages that extol related but different and sometimes controversial virtues is noteworthya. the Hebrew writer describes her as a woman of great faith (Hebrews 11:1-2, 30-31)b. but lest anyone perceive that Rahab is an example of the theory of salvation by idle faithalone, James calls her as evidence that justification is also by works (James 2:14, 24-26)II. Some ApplicationsA. Harlotry1. although it might seem that Rahab was an innkeeper, it is also evident that her inn was of aspecial and sinful sort, being a den of prostitution which has plagued mankind and marriage for almost aslong as both have existed2. fornication and adultery are filthy enough, but the attachment of greed to lust simply doublesthe iniquitya. sex outside of marriage is a sin, a very common sin and one accepted, encouraged andcelebrated at almost every level of modern society, but it is still a sin–a sin that results in disease, shame,embarrassment, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, violence and eternal torment if unrepented (Hebrews13:4)b. God desires that you somehow rise above both greed and lust (First Thessalonians 4:3-8)c. Paul recommends that young people “flee also youthful lusts, but pursue righteousness,faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (Second Timothy 2:22)1. proximity to fornicating minds will draw you closer to sexual immorality yourself2. flirting with adulterous opportunities is like taking fire to your chest and you will getburned (see Proverbs 6:27)3. if harlotry is selling oneself sexually for money, is it not also true that those who perform inlicentious movies, television scenes and music videos are likewise guilty of prostituting themselves?a. and what of those who pose suggestively in men’s magazines, sometimes completely nakedand other times clad in immodest attire?b. and what of those of us who pay to see them and gaze upon their prostitution so that wemight feel the thrill of lust and the yearning that results?4. Christ did not buy us back from the devil so that we might bring the tempter along with us(First Corinthians 6:15-20)B. Melted Heart1. we respect Rahab in spite of her harlotry, which she surely abandoned upon entering Israel, andbecause she confesses to having a melted heart2. the melted heart has no more rebellion in it, no more desire to kick against God’s goads andrefuse to obey him3. the melted heart is cut to the quick by the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (seeEphesians 6:17)4. hearts today are slightly wounded when tragedy strikes or great fear arrives–when one feels asense of loss or is threatened with premature mortality by a criminal, storm or diseasea. faith sometimes results from going face-to-face with eternity, but it does not always endurewhen the hardship is relievedb. true faith comes from hearing the word of God (cf. Romans 10:17) and submitting to theneed to mourn over one’s sin and seek out Christ as the author of an answer (Acts 2:36-41)C. Salvation by Working Faith172! Jeff S. Smith