THE MASTER OF SURPRISES
(story of Rahab)
Text: Selected
September 20, 2020
Intro:
Hebrews 12:1 International Children’s Bible (ICB)
12 So we have many people of faith around us. Their lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way. And we should remove the sin that so easily catches us.
One of the heroes of faith were going to study is - when we look at her face- we will be surprised to see makeup. Her eyelids are a light purple, her lips a vivid red. She wears a large gold hoop earring and a gold necklace hangs around the neck. Several gold rings adorn her fingers. And a shocking long- blonde hair peeks from under her head covering.
Now, I know that look in every face today.. the silent reaction seeing this kind of woman as hero of faith? But before we “judge”… this is what she said to us….
“I see by your reaction that I am not what you expected. You’re surprise by my appearance…well, let me tell you something….
GOD’S STORY IS FULL OF SURPRISES
Who is RAHAB?
Jericho was a large Canaanite fortress city, and it was directly in the path of the Israelites, God’s chosen people, who had just crossed the Jordan River. Before proceeding into battle, Joshua sent two spies into Jericho. The king of Jericho heard two Israelite spies were in the city and sent troops to search for them.
Although Jericho was a fortress, the less-fortunate people lived outside of the walls of Jericho. Rahab and her family were poor and ran a tavern right outside of Jericho’s walls. Rahab was known to be a prostitute, and many men visited the tavern. One evening, two strangers came into her establishment. She was a smart woman and realized that these men were spies.
Joshua 2:8-11 International Children’s Bible (ICB)
8 The spies were ready to sleep for the night. So Rahab went to the roof and talked to them. 9 She said, “I know the Lord has given this land to your people. You frighten us very much. Everyone living in this land is terribly afraid of you. 10 We are afraid because we have heard how the Lord helped you. We heard how he dried up the Red Sea when you came out of Egypt. We heard how you destroyed Sihon and Og. They were the two Amorite kings who lived east of the Jordan. 11 When we heard this, we became very frightened. Now our men are afraid to fight you. This is because the Lord your God rules the heavens above and the earth below!
A SERIES OF SURPRISE FOR RAHAB…
• I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I HEARD THE STORY OF GOD PARTING THE RED SEA.
• I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I HEARD THE POWERFUL AMORITE KINGS HAD BEEN DESTROYED.
• I WAS SURPRISED WHEN THE SPIES APPEARED ON MY DOORSTEP.
• I WAS SURPRISED WHEN THE ISRAELITES KEPT THEIR PROMISE TO SPARE MY AND MY FAMILY.
• I WAS SURPRISED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BLOODLINE OF JESUS. (Matthew 1:1-5)
Hebrews 11:31 International Children’s Bible (ICB)
31 It was by faith that Rahab, the prostitute, welcomed the spies
and was not killed with those who refused to obey God.
GOD IS THE MASTER OF SURPRIES
Many people express surprise that God would include a HARLOT in the bloodline of Jesus – but if you think about it, you can see that the bible is really ONE LONG RECORD OF GOD-SURPRISES.
• Noah was surprise when God ordered him to build an ark.
• In their Old Age – Abraham and Sarah were surprised when God gave them a son.
• Moses was surprise in a burning bush.
• Etc….
We all know the saying “God moves in a mysterious ways” But today it is probably accurate to say that GOD SPECIALIZE IN SURPRISING US. A God surprise
• Is unexpected and unexplainable.
• Turns the ordinary into the spectacular.
• Changes your expectations and your destiny
• Leaves no room for doubt – God is God.
As we think of God’s surprises – Rahab begins to speak again and share the wisdom of her experience.
LIFE LESSONS:
I. GOD INVITES YOU TO BE PART OF HIS STORY – JOIN HIM
Anyone who turns to God is invited to be part of His story. And that is the most amazing thing of all. God is extending to you an invitation to be part of something bigger.
Like Rahab – you can be part of that same story if you choose to join God and follow His leading.
II. GOD WANTS TO SURPRISE YOU WITH HIS LOVE – ACCEPT HIM
Rahab never expect God to love her – because she was an outcast. Even her family rejected her. But God love her and that was a surprised. She just had to choose to accept that Love.
That is a challenge for us now, if we choose to accept that love.
III. GOD ASKS YOU TO SURPRISE OTHERS WITH YOUR ACTION – OBEY HIM
What is God currently asking you to do for someone else? Don’t question Him. Don’t doubt Him. Just obey Him. You have no Idea what God might be up to. God doesn’t want your busyness – He wants your obedience.
IV. WHEN GOD PERFORMS A MIRACLE, HE IS SIGNING HIS NAME TO YOUR STORY. CELEBRATE HIM.
The life of Rahab did not start out well. She was a sinner and it was a miracle that God spared her life. She was a Canaanite and a prostitute. But the greater surprised and a miracle was that God allowed Rahab to be Jesus’ grandmother (28 generations).
Listen to this … when God looked at our broken life He saw a masterpiece.
You and I are miracle material. While others dismissed us, rejected us… God sees as a miracle.
Think about the things God has done for you. It is His way of signing His name to your story. Celebrate Him for that by giving Him your all.
God bless you all
Acknowledgement: wisdom from women in the bible by John Maxwell
