Keep Your Word

Rahab made a life-and-death decision when she welcomed two Israelite spies into her house, and gave them lodging. Initially she may not have understood the threat they posed to her home city of Jericho. But she knew that this was serious when their king sent emissaries to her, demanding that she turn over the spies, because “they have come to search out all the land.”

In spite of this warning, Rahab would not cooperate with her own king, but continued to hide the spies. She even told them that the people of Jericho believed that God would give the Israelites victory. That her people were terrified, because they knew all that the Israelites had done. They believed that Israel served the God who was “in heaven above and on earth beneath.”

Then, she bargained with the spies, promising to let them go, if they would promise to protect her and her family. The spies responded with a qualified agreement. They would agree if she would not tell anyone about the spies or the Israelite plans.

The woman told them, “According to your words, so be it.”based on their words! There were no written agreements or contracts. Just words, spoken by strangers.

There are many reasons to admire Rahab for her faith. We also can be amazed at the degree to which she trusted the words of these spies.

How would you have responded? Would you have trusted the words of these men?

The Bible warns that being trustworthy is a rare quality, declaring, “Who can find a trustworthy man?” (Proverbs 20:6). Seek to be one of those trustworthy people. Ask God to help you speak the truth, to be trustworthy. A witness to others.