Today’s meditation is taken from 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups.” (MSG)
Paul was making an appeal to the Corinthian believers to examine themselves consistently to make sure that their faith in the Lord is firm. Note that these words of Paul were not to those outside the church, but to those who were believers inside the church.
There are many who claim to have faith in God, but this faith is not evident in the way they live. While there are those who are wandering away from the faith, there are others who appear to have faith in God, but have in reality forgotten what it is to remain in this faith. We are living in times when most of the prophecies in the bible pertaining to the last days are being fulfilled. The Lord Jesus promised us that just as He was taken up into the heavens, He will so come in like manner. Let us therefore be aware that the coming of the Lord Jesus is close at hand. Jesus left a warning when He said these words in Luke 18:8, Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (ESV) which means that there is a possibility that many will falter and lose out on their faith.
To have faith means to believe that there is a God who created us that He is mindful of all we do, and that He will reward each one according to their work when He comes. Faith is to have these basic foundations firmly established as we live our lives here on earth. It is sad that many profess they have this faith, but by their deeds they do not in any way reflect this faith in God.
As we study a couple of important incidents that happened beyond the Jordan, we will be able to learn a lot from the lives of two significant people who are mentioned in these incidents.
Rahab’s perception of God
We read in Joshua 2:10-11, “We heard how GOD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt, and what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you put under a holy curse and destroyed. We heard it and our hearts sank. We all had the wind knocked out of us. And all because of you, you and GOD, your God, God of the heavens above and God of the earth below.” (MSG)
These were the words of Rahab who lived in the city of Jericho. Rahab did not lead a good life, but this was the testimony she gave about God as one who is God of the heavens above, and the God of the earth below. The people of Jericho had heard about the wonders that God performed for the Israelites beyond the Jordan, and everyone in that city were filled with dread of the Israelites. However, Rahab who lived among them decided to put her faith in the God of the Israelites, instead of allowing fear to rule her heart.
Rahab’s appeal
Read the words of Rahab as found in Joshua 2:13, “Promise me that you will save my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families! Don't let us be killed!" (GNB)
Rahab put her faith in God, and this she revealed by her deeds. When the men of Israel came to spy on the land of Jericho, Rahab protected them. She believed that the God of the Israelites was able to save her, and therefore she was willing to risk her life when she took care of the spies.
We see that Rahab was sure that the city of Jericho would be destroyed by the Israelites, but she also believed that God was compassionate, and that He could keep her, and her family safe when the destruction came. If we think about Rahab’s life, she was a prostitute, and most assuredly her parents, siblings and family members may not have approved of it. We are not even sure if they were in talking terms with each other. Nonetheless, when Rahab understood who God really was, she also developed a burden for the welfare of her family. She could have asked that she alone be kept safe in the time of crisis, but she pleaded for her entire family to be kept safe.
There are so many who claim to have faith in the Lord, but sadly all that they want to give to God is just an hour on Sunday, and are content to do so. We must compare our faith with that of Rahab, and analyze ourselves to see if our faith is alive or dead. Does our faith motivate us to work as it did to Rahab? There are so many of us who are concerned only about ourselves, and we fail to be burdened for the members of our family who are yet to be saved. There are many who claim to have faith, but are unable to show love to others. If we have truly experienced the love of God, then we will be able to demonstrate love even to those who hate us. However, if we cannot forgive, forget, and love others the way God wants us to, our faith is certainly questionable.
Joshua’s instruction about Jericho
These were the words of Joshua as found in Joshua 6:17-18, “The city and everything in it must be totally destroyed as an offering to the LORD. Only the prostitute Rahab and her household will be spared, because she hid our spies. But you are not to take anything that is to be destroyed; if you do, you will bring trouble and destruction on the Israelite camp.” (GNB)
When these words were declared to the Israelites before the destruction of Jericho, there was one man named Achan who did not obey this command.
We read in Joshua 7:1, “But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.” (ESV)
This Achan had been part of the journey through the wilderness, and had partaken of the manna that was given to the Israelites. He had good knowledge of how God parted the Red Sea when the Israelites fled from the Egyptians. Moreover, Achan had also seen firsthand the wonderful way in which God parted the Jordan so they could make their way to the other side. Also, Achan had witnessed how the mighty walls of Jericho crumbled as the Israelites went around singing praises to the Lord. It was this Achan who took what was forbidden things, and hid them amongst his belongings. Though he was part of this multitude of Israelites who believed, Achan chose to disobey because he lacked that faith.
There are sadly so many who claim to be believers, but covet, and take things that are not rightfully theirs. Money that is being given to the ministry, the glory that is due to God alone have been taken, and used for selfish gain and popularity. As believers let’s be cautious that if we claim to have faith we should reveal it through our works.
Joseph’s faith was firm
If you observe the life of Joseph, he was able to overcome all kinds of hardships only because He feared God. His brothers sold him, but that didn’t make Joseph bitter towards them. Joseph was falsely charged, and thrown in prison, but he did not try to justify himself. Even when he was forgotten, and left to languish in prison, he did not become bitter. As Joseph waited patiently on the Lord in His time the Lord elevated him. There is a sure reward for those who walk by faith and in the fear of the Lord.
As we read in 2 Corinthians 13:5 we should introspect to find out the kind of faith that is found within us. Though Rahab was not an Israelite, just on the basis of what she heard about the God of Israel, she put her faith in God, and revealed it through her works. On the other hand Achan was from the tribe of Judah, which translates as ‘praise’ but did display this faith through his deeds.
There are a lot of things that are being done in the name of praise, and sadly God is not pleased with much of it. It is crucial that we be found in those places that truly glorify God failing which we too can lose out on our faith.
The call to sanctification
When Achan took what God forbade him to take, the outcome was that the whole of Israel had to face a huge defeat at Ai. Joshua and the elders of Israel wept before the Lord unable to understand the reason for this humiliating defeat.
This was God’s reply as found in Joshua 7:13, Tell the people of Israel, "Tomorrow you will meet with the LORD your God, so make yourselves acceptable to worship him. The LORD says that you have taken things that should have been destroyed. You won't be able to stand up to your enemies until you get rid of those things. (CEV)
As Joshua declared these words from God to the Israelites, I am certain that Achan too must have heard it. Achan could have confessed his sins, and may be God would have had mercy on him. We see that Achan’s faith was so dead that he continued in his rebellious ways with no fear whatsoever, or the thought that God was watching him. It seems that Achan wanted to not reveal his sins unless he was found out and exposed.
We are cautioned that God is aware of all that we do. These are evil days when many proclaim that they are believers, but are living a hypocritical lives that is contradictory to the faith they profess. If our worship is such the Lord will not approve of them. People may applaud us, but we will miss out on God’s approval. We should pray that God should remove any such people like Achan who by their sinful lives will bring punishment on all of us.
Achan is found out
Achan was found out and was exposed in that assembly of Israelites.
We read about this in Joshua 7:19-21,"Achan," Joshua said, "the LORD God of Israel has decided that you are guilty. Is this true? Tell me what you did, and don't try to hide anything." "It's true," Achan answered. "I sinned and disobeyed the LORD God of Israel. While we were in Jericho, I saw a beautiful Babylonian robe, two hundred pieces of silver, and a gold bar that weighed the same as fifty pieces of gold. I wanted them for myself, so I took them. I dug a hole under my tent and hid the silver, the gold, and the robe." Joshua had some people run to Achan's tent, where they found the silver, the gold, and the robe. (CEV)
Rahab lived in the city of Jericho which was defiled, and was about to be destroyed. On the other hand Achan was from the tribe of Judah and lived among the people of Israel, and one who knew who God was. However, Achan was not able to maintain his faith and standing before God. Achan faltered in his faith which resulted in defeat for all of Israel.
We live in times when men such as Achan should be warned to repent, or else they have to be excluded failing which we too cannot have victory. These people who have the spirit of Achan should be identified, and they must be removed from our midst. Let us ask God for discernment to not be misled, and thereby lose out on our own faith in God. Allow God to change all those dry and lifeless situations in our lives, and pray earnestly that God will take away from our midst all those who function with this spirit of Achan. If we pray earnestly, the Lord will answer, and bring life-giving revival amongst us.
Rahab looked up, but Achan looked downward
We read in Joshua 2:6, “But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof.” (ESV)
Rahab hid the spies who came to her for help on top of the roof among the stalks of flax.
We read in Joshua 7:21, “when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” (ESV)
Achan on the other hand took all the things he coveted after, and hid in in the earth inside his tent.
While Rahab looked upward toward God, Achan’s eyes were on earthly things. God and His Kingdom are eternal, while the earth and all that is in it is temporary. The question is have we set our eyes on the eternal God, or are we caught up with the earthly and temporal? Based on this answer we can analyze to see if we do have faith or not.
Rahab’s honor and Achan’s disgrace
We read in Joshua 6:25, “But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.” (ESV)
Notice how Rahab’s name is remembered even to this day, and one who was outside of Israel was brought into the fold because of her faith in God. Also Rahab’s entire family was saved from that terrible destruction that befell Jericho.
We read in Joshua 7:26, “And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor.” (ESV)
Those who were outside the Kingdom of God were brought in by their faith in God, while those who were inside the Kingdom were expelled because of their lack of faith. Let us check to see if we have the right kind of faith that comes from the fear of God. This fear of God is evident in the words we speak, the things we do, the thoughts we entertain, and the things we seek after. Our faith must be displayed in the way we reverently live our lives, and we should set right those things that prevent us from being established in our faith.
I have presented two people before you, Rahab and Achan. The question is whose faith do we want to model? The coming of the Lord Jesus is close at hand, and let us be reminded that He comes to reward every man according to their deeds. Let us hold on to our faith, run this race faithfully, and receive the crown of righteousness that God has in store for us.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
