Joshua 1-5: A Scarlet Cord of Surrender

How did the men sent to spy out Jericho know that Rahab would have a receptive heart towards God's people and why would a person with such a reputation be used rather than some upright citizen?   Rahab knew who she was but she had seen God's power at work as well.  She was not embarrassed to hang a scarlet cord from her window to win God's favor.

God's standards are so different from our own.  Both the Old and New Testaments are littered with heroes from dubious backgrounds.  In addition to prostitutes, there are murderers, adulterers, liars, cheats , people who would shake their fists in anger at God, and even those who would deny him.  How can a pure gospel be spread by such people.  Or perhaps the questions should be how can the gospel be spread by any one else?   Who better to understand God's forgiveness than those of us with a tainted past?  Perhaps all of our failures serve as a means to soften our hearts towards the others God would touch as well.  God's not too impressed with our feeble efforts, we all fall short and we all have a shot at redemption.  Thank God, his standards are not as high as our own or none of us would be saved. 

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. - Acts 10:34-35 KJV

We're all tainted, we're all guilty.  If we are really honest, each of us could hang a scarlet cord out the window as a sign of surrender.

2010 Post - Joshua 1-5:  Be Strong and Courageous