FHBC Sermon Notes

 Now that Moses has died, will Israel still receive the promises of God. But God's promises rely on no man, but on God himself.

When you look at the whole of Joshua from a human perspective, one might ask why this chapter is in the book.  It doesn't seem necessary in the plot of the story. The spies don't seem to really have gathered any good info. But this story is absolutely critical, not only to Joshua but to the entire Old Testament. In God's plan the spies didn't go to find military info, it instead was to find Rahab. This is not an account of spies but of God's grace and wonderous deeds to seek and deliver his prommises to those that do not deserve it. 

1. God certainly, absolutely, and powerfully acts to fulfill His promises. (2:1, 22-24)

Through the last could of weeks it might seem like this is a broken record, but this is the central fact of all of Joshua and indeed the whole OT. We see this first of all in the report of the spies. Their report reveals three promises. 1. That God's promises are certain. To them the outcome was already past tense. 2. The absolute nature of God's promises. Not only was time inconsequential, but neither was the breath of the promise. 3. The power of God's promises.  All the people would simply melt away, so great was the heat and power of God's promise.  

These promises come to us through Jesus. We are promised eternal life. Through his death and resurrection, we will also be raised. Walking in his steps we have nothing to fear. 

2. God mercifully and graciously grants salvation to those who properly fear Him. (2:2-21)

Genesis 12:1-3 To understand why God is interested in this prostitute Rahab, we must look back to His original promise to Abraham. Through Israel ultimately ALL the nations would be blessed. This promise finds a partial fulfillment in Rahab.  She would be in the lineage of Jesus himself.  Her bloodline would be in his veins.  Through the spilling of that blood all nations receive the promise of salvation. 

Matthew 1:1-5: 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,

4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon,

5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,

 

Galatians 3:13-14

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us-for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"-

14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

This story is not just the story of some random prostitute, but it is our story. 

But this promise must be demonstrated in a saving faith. 

     A. We express saving faith when we...

• confess God's absolute supremacy. 
• acknowledge that we rightfully deserve God's wrath. 
• plead with God to show us mercy. 
• submit ourselves to God's character and will.  Hebrews 11:31

We see all of the things in the words and actions of Rahab. She shows us the essence of faith in the Old Testament.  But the good news in this... God is the one who saves!

     B. God makes provision for our salvation. 

       The scarlet cord in this story is much like the sign of the Passover lambs blood on the doorpost, and ultimately the blood of Jesus our full and eternal Passover lamb. Because his blood was shed, we have salvation. If you are reading this and do not know fellowship with our awesome Lord, know that these promises are for you too, if you will simply receive it.