PODCAST
God Is Merciful
April 10th, 2018
Joshua 2:12-24
The basic purpose of spies in time of war is to gather information about the enemy that will inform strategic planning. The spies of Jericho were indeed gathering information. But it was not for the purpose of strategic planning. The Lord already had promised that Jericho and the surrounding land would be given over to Israel. The information gathered by the spies was to help convince Israel that the Lord had indeed given them the city.
While the kindness of Rahab was crucial to the survival and mission of the spies, the victory already promised by the Lord was not dependent on the help of a prostitute. The mercy of God to spare Rahab and her family was not a reward for helping Israel conquer Jericho. The mercy of God was in response to something much deeper than Rahab’s simple kindness. Her kindness was the result of a repentant heart that recognized the one true God. Like the city of Nineveh, the story of Rahab reminds us that God is merciful to those who change their ways and walk in the way of the Lord.
Author: Grant Christy
