Neal continued our Joshua series, looking at the fall of Jericho.

Please note that the last couple of mintues of the preach were not recorded.

This week we looked at Joshua Chapter 6 with particular reference to Israel facing the Walls Of Jericho – We also looked back at the story of Rahab as the two are interlinked throughout the whole story.

Rahab recognised who Jehovah was and declares “For the Lord Your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth below” – This is from a Gentile and a prostitute from Jericho. This is a revelation by the Holy Spirit and the whole story Of Rahab is a wonderful story of God’s redemptive power and salvation. She recognises who God is and what he can do and knows that Jericho will fall – compare that to the Israelites declaration after they had sent spies into the land.

Numbers 13 vs 31-33 – The people of the land are too strong – The land devours its inhabitants, the people are strong and there are giants in the land – we seemed like grasshoppers in our minds”.

One a declaration of faith – the other of faithlessness!!

The taking Of Jericho was 100% God and 0% Man – there was no way they could take the city without God’s intervention- Jehovah shows Joshua and the Children of Israel just how powerful he is if they will only follow his instructions and have faith -God defies our thinking – His ways are not our ways and his thoughts not our thoughts – He is Jehovah and is king of heaven and earth.

We are told in Hebrews 11 vs 30 that By faith the walls of Jericho fell – who are you going to have faith in? Yourself and your plans or God and his plans? Who is God again – ask Rahab!

Rahab is mentioned in Hebrews 11 vs 31 – By Faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient because she welcomed the spies! – One of only two women mentioned in Hebrews 11 – how amazing that she is in here as Great Men and Women of faith – alongside Abraham, Moses, Noah, Joshua and others!

However it gets even better if we read Matthew chapter 1 as Rahab in mentioned in the messianic line – vs 5 –

Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse and Jesse the father of David the King….. through to Jesus….. Rahab was always part of God’s plan and her story is amazing and wonderful -no one is too far from God that they cannot be saved and redeemed!

I love this quote from a commentary “ The lineage is composed of men and women, adulterers, prostitutes, heroes and gentiles – and Jesus is the saviour of them all!” – Love this!

So what of us and the Jericho’s in our lives – How do we approach them? Are we like the children of Israel or are we like Rahab?

So often we use our own intellect to try and work things out which limits what God can do – he tells us his thoughts are not like our thoughts and his ways are not like our ways?

We hear so often – I can’t see a way out of this situation, What can God do for me, There are no options here, this is impossible and more often than not “Why Me?”

God is trying to teach us to have faith in him in all situations and circumstances – I love this quote from Matthew Henry talking about the walls of Jericho –

“This situation was to try the faith, obedience and patience of the people, to try whether they would observe a precept which to human policy seemed foolish to obey and believe a promise which in human probability seemed impossible to be performed. Thus by faith and not by force the walls of Jericho fell down. It was to encourage the hope of Israel with reference to the remaining difficulties that were before them. The strongest and highest walls cannot hold out against Omnipotence.”

We need to remember – the strongest and highest walls cannot hold out against Omnipotence!

Let’s be like Rahab who recognised who Jehovah was and the power he has

For The Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.

Questions

Salvation comes to Rahab in the unlikeliest of situations - Discuss how this worked – and the far reaching repercussions of her life.Romans 8 vs 28 Says that all things work together for good to those that love God – It doesn’t always feel like that does it – How do we learn to have faith in all circumstances.Have a look at James 2 vs 25 – Rahab is mentioned again regarding faith and works – Discuss how this works in practice?When we face difficult situations do we look at the circumstances or the God of the circumstances? Does our view of who God is needs to change?