Ministry is all about people, and when the Lord lays a calling on your heart it will involve or effect people in some way or another, because it is human beings whom God came to save through Jesus Christ. So, what are you supposed to do when the Lord calls you to a task that will involve working with an unreceptive, or even hostile, group of people? The answer is you need to pray for the Lord the lead you to a key individual who is already on the inside of the group you are trying to reach.
It probably comes as no surprise when I tell you this, because you have already observed this principle in life. For example, you have likely noticed how people acquire a good job by knowing someone on the inside of a company or workplace. Whether you like it or not, none of us is an island unto our self, and if you want to get anything accomplished – including ministry – you have to know the right individuals, and that begins by making an effort to meet new people. Sooner or later you will find a key person who can open doors and make things happen.
I once led a young man to the Lord, not knowing a whole lot about his background. I soon discovered that he had a past with drugs, and was a drummer in a heavy metal band. After receiving Christ, he made a radical turn around, and displayed a great hunger for all that God has to offer. Seeing this, I began spending time with him, answering his questions and making an effort to disciple him; and I started to discover that he literally knew hundreds of people. When I found this out, I had him begin introducing me to some of his friends, and before long we began a Bible study in his home for those of the heavy metal crowd.
When you are entering unfamiliar territory in a calling, it is best to identify an inside man, or one whom the Bible calls a peacemaker. This was the strategy used by Joshua’s men when they first spied out the land of Canaan.
Entering a Hostile Territory (vv. 1-4)
1 Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.” 3 So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.”
Joshua told the two men to go and “spy secretly” (v. 1). They were to go in secret, because they were entering into hostile territory and would be met with resistance should they be discovered. Note how the king of Jericho demanded their capture, revealing his disdain.
Whenever you are getting ready to enter the land to claim what God has promised, you must keep in mind that not everyone will share your enthusiasm. When you begin taking new territory for the Lord, you begin to upset comfort levels; as you are accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit, who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). People will resist change, they will resist the Lord, they will resist repentance, and they will resist your ministry efforts; so keep in mind that you probably should not go out broadcasting your big plans to everyone whom you encounter.
You will be entering into hostile territory and you will begin meeting with resistance, because – whether you realize it or not – you have chosen to engage in spiritual battle. Notice how Joshua sent the men to especially spy out the city of Jericho (v. 1). He did so because it was an impregnable stronghold, and a base of operations for the enemy. Whenever you begin advancing and claiming territory for the Lord, you too will encounter strongholds of resistance; and these strongholds will be spiritual in nature, and ultimately commanded by your enemy, the devil.
Spiritual strongholds take hold in people’s minds. Neil Anderson defines “strongholds” as fleshly thought patterns that were programmed into a person’s mind when he or she learned to live independently of God.(1) As people attempt to defend their sinful beliefs, and maintain their decision to live apart from God, they will resist you tooth and nail. Be encouraged, however, that you can overcome, for 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Resistance will sometimes come from the least expected place; so, take the time to check things out, strategize your approach, and proceed with caution. Notice how the two spies were strategic in their approach. They went to the house of a harlot (v. 1). There is no need to consider ulterior motives here. One reason why they went to a harlot is because prostitutes were known to have operated inns, and they needed a place to spend the night.(2) However, the primary reason why they approached Rahab is because her “profession would cause her to be rather knowledgeable about public affairs.”(3) She would have known a lot of people, and understood their personal dealings. The two spies sought out Rahab for detailed intelligence; and you too need to gather good intelligence before you will know how to do spiritual battle.
God’s Reputations Precedes (vv. 8-13)
8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: “I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, 13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”
In looking back at verses 4-7, we learn that when the king’s soldiers showed up demanding that Rahab hand over the two men, that she had already hidden them in between some stalks of flax (v. 6). She then misled the soldiers saying they had already escaped her house and had fled the city, thus sending the soldiers on a wild goose chase (v. 5).
We see here that as soon as the solders had departed that she spoke to the two spies saying that she “heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea” (v. 10), stating that “as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted” (v. 11). When entering hostile spiritual territory, you need to stay on the “down low” as much as possible, but keep in mind that the Lord’s reputation has already proceeded you. God will have already been working in the hearts of key individuals who will be able to help you in occupying the fortress, and thus gaining authority over the entire land.
A key individual is known as a “person of peace,” and this man or woman will surface in response to the work and movement of the Lord, as he or she hears of God’s incredible miracles. In the New Testament gospels we can see how the miracles of Jesus resulted in His fame being spread abroad. Matthew tells us, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and . . . great multitudes followed Him” (Matthew 4:23-24a, 25a).
In the book A Passionate Life, Mike Breen and Walt Kallestad tell us that “Jesus often used the power of God in miracles to reveal the person of peace. Praying for the sick and seeing a miraculous healing may reveal the person of peace. That person may be the one who was prayed for, or they could even be someone standing on the sidelines as an observer.”(4) For example, Mark tells the account of a leper who approached Jesus asking to be healed. Jesus answered his request, and Mark says, “He went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter . . . and they came to Him from every direction” (Mark 1:45). This leper who was healed couldn’t contain his joy, and he became such an advocate of Jesus, that people were drawn to Him from near and far.
The “person of peace” is someone who has acquired a healthy fear of the Lord leading to wisdom (Psalm 111:10) and repentance (Job 28:28). Rahab said, “And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted . . . deliver our lives from death” (Joshua 2:11a, 13b). The Lord will call you and send you out to proclaim a message of judgment and life. Judgment on those who continue to deny the Lord, and life to those who will receive Christ. An example of the message of judgment and life can be seen in Romans 6:23, which says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The person of peace will be one who is receptive to the message of life in Christ.
The Individual of Peace (vv. 14-21)
14 So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.” 15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. 16 And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.” 17 So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, 18 unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. 19 So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.” 21 Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.
Rahab was a “person of peace.” Hebrews 11:31 in the Holman Christian Standard Bible says, “By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.” Allow me to take a moment to discuss in more detail the reasoning and methodology for identifying the person of peace.
The biblical method for finding a “person of peace” was done by entering into someone’s house. Back in verse 1 we saw how the two spies went into Rahab’s house. This same practice was utilized in the New Testament. In Luke 10:5-6 Jesus instructed His disciples, “But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.” The term “son of peace” is synonymous with the “person of peace.” In biblical times it was customary to invite weary travelers into one’s home, and the disciples were to use this invitation as a means whereby to share their faith.
As the disciples entered into homes, Jesus said that “your peace will rest upon it.” He meant that they should stay in these homes teaching and preaching the gospel. This could only happen if they encountered a “son of peace,” or one who was receptive to the gospel. If the members of the household were completely unreceptive then the disciples could reasonably assume that there was not a person of peace in that house. Jesus stated that at that point, “Whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet” (Matthew 10:14).
A “person of peace” is strategically positioned by the Lord. Notice how Rahab’s house was right on the city wall (v. 15). Liz Curtis Higgs says, “Rahab’s house was hard to miss, nestled as it was against the town wall at the gate.”(5) And as already observed, her chosen profession afforded her opportunities to know a lot of people. A “person of peace” will open his or her home – or heart (Revelation 3:20) – to the preaching of the gospel, and will be a key person in introducing you to others who are open to the Lord, and who might serve as allies in your mission.
When trying to identify a “person of peace” look for someone like Rahab, who is a prominent person within a city, area, or a group where you are feeling called to be a witness. This individual may be someone who has connections with numerous others, and sometimes with significant members of society. A “person of peace” will also be open to the gospel of Jesus Christ and possess a repentant heart, and perhaps even already be a believer.
As a “person of peace” Rahab became a great benefit to the two spies, hiding them from the soldiers and then lowering them down the side of the wall on a rope from her window in order to save their lives (v. 15). She even informed them of the safest place in which to take cover until the coast was clear, telling them to flee to the mountains (v. 16). You need such a person in your life when pursuing a calling or mission. You need someone to point out which people will help you and which will hurt you; and in return you are to provide the “person of peace” with life.
In verses 17-18, the two spies told Rahab, “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down.” The oath to which they referred is the one in which Rahab pleaded with them not to harm either her or her father’s household (vv. 12-13). The scarlet cord was a promise of their oath, and a promise of life.
W. A. Criswell said that the theme of blood atonement runs throughout the entire Bible as a scarlet thread. In reference to Rahab, he stated that “the men of Israel promised life and safety, both for her and her father’s house, if she would bind a scarlet cord in her window . . . Rahab and her family were spared because of that scarlet cord, ‘The Scarlet Thread of Redemption’.”(6) Redemption began with God’s grace being poured out on Rahab, signified by a scarlet cord; and Matthew 1:5 reveals that through her lineage the Savior of the world would be born, as she was the great grandmother of King David.
The scarlet cord of Rahab represents redemption by blood, and that redemption is available to all by the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:28). In return for that individual’s help you are to provide the “person of peace” with abundance of life (John 10:10): life in Christ, by the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38); life in the Spirit, who is the “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:2) and the Spirit of liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17); and you are to assist the “person of peace” in finding life-giving relationships within the body of Christ (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Time of Reflection
Has the Lord called you to reach a certain group of people? Maybe He wants you to start a home Bible study at a nearby trailer park, or begin a sewing club with some women in the community. Are you struggling for an opportunity to establish a relationship with those individuals? If so, then you need to begin praying and watching for a “person of peace.” That individual will be your mediator and go-between to help you establish a connection with others.
Perhaps you are here this evening and you are trying to figure out how to make a connection with God. Isaiah 59:2 tells us we are separated from God by our sins. If we have not had our sins forgiven then we can’t approach Him on our own, but there is one who can, and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus is our “person of peace” who can get us on the inside. 1 Timothy 2:5-6a says, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all.” If we will just accept Jesus as our go-between, by receiving Him as our Savior and Lord, then we will be forgiven of our sins, and be able to stand before the Father blameless and perfect in His sight.
NOTES
(1) Neil T. Anderson, The Bondage Breaker (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2000), pp. 60-61.
(2) Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, Power Bible CD.
(3) William H. Morton, “Joshua,” The Broadman Bible Commentary, ed. Clifton J. Allen (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1970), p. 309.
(4) Mike Breen and Walt Kallestad, A Passionate Life (Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries, 2005), p. 227.
(5) Liz Curtis Higgs, Bad Girls of the Bible (Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press, 1999), p. 156.
(6) W. A. Criswell, “The Scarlet Thread of Redemption,” Holy Bible Baptist Study Edition, New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1991), p. 1837.
