UNDERSTANDING TIMES AND SEASONS – RAHAB: ENTERING THE NEXT MOVE OF GOD

Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men: “I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Joshua 2:8-11NKJV

One of the most difficult decision any man could face is the decision to shift sides; moving to the next phase of life. Most times, because of our natural adaptation skills, we tend to relate with an environment so much that it becomes difficult to leave that environment to the next phase. This is owing to a lot of reasons, in all cases every phase of man’s life is already structured to take care of the needs of that season. So, when the time comes to move on to the next phase, it always becomes difficult to leave the known and embrace the unknown. However, men of understanding are known for their bold steps in making this monumental transition to the next phase for the excellency of the glory of God and to remain obedient to God’s instruction. In our series about Understanding Times and Seasons, we are about to consider another great character to further help us understand the importance and urgent need for every one of us to get on board in the area of being discerning enough to make the necessary moves in life as at when due. This episode is all about Rahab the harlot, the woman of faith that shifted sides to the Camp of God against all odds and thereby became the life saver of her family in that season. As always, God is ready to take us on a journey that will better equip us for the journey of life through this episode. Get ready for the Fire Experience!

The second chapter of the book of Joshua opened up with the instruction of the new leader of the emerging nation of Israel, Joshua, the son of Nun. He instructed two men to spy out the lands ahead of them especially Jericho. This of course was expected as the nation of Israel was gradually moving into a new season in their journey to their promised land. It was time for a lot of military actions to physically possess the land. On entering the city of Jericho, the spies had to look for a place to hide so as to successfully perform their enterprise, the house of Rahab fitted exactly into where they needed to stay without being noticed. Rahab was a harlot, her kind of business made her to be well positioned in the city wall so as to attract new customers as they enter the city.

Wherever you already accessed in your mind, it is impossible for your body not to arrive there!

Although she was an harlot, her enterprise did not blind her mind from discerning accurately the doings of God in that season. She displayed a clear understanding of spiritual issues, her ability to understand times and seasons made her to make her findings and as a result chose to believe in the God of Israel and was ready to shift sides as soon as the opportunity comes up! we must understand that our first step in moving into God’s next plan for our lives will always be that we make a mental shift into that new territory. Wherever you already accessed in your mind, it is impossible for your body not to arrive there! This is the reason why we must be ready keep increasing our mental capacity to accommodate each of the new seasons of God for our lives. Remember, it all starts with a change in your mindset, are you ready for the next shift?

Man’s first step in moving into God’s next plan will always be to make a mental shift into that new territory.

GOD seemed to be listening to the heart desires of Rahab. God is not a politician, He is more of a business man. He knows how to direct our paths in a timely manner towards the success of our life goals when they align to His plans and purposes. Rahab was influential in Jericho; since leadership depends less on titles but rather depends heavily on influence, Rahab became God’s access point of entry into Jericho! Who would have thought God would go for a harlot? God is the creator of all, and He is in love with all mankind, He only have issues with our sinful lifestyle. These are two different issues, this is why God will never mix up these two things and therefore, God is ever ready to bring back home any child that is ready to come back to Him even while still in sin, once there is willingness to leave the sinful lifestyle, God will always draw such soul back to Himself! This illustration explains why God went for Rahab!

God knows how to direct our paths in a timely manner towards the success of our life goals when they align to His plans and purposes.

So, God strategically placed Rahab in Jericho even though she was an harlot, to fulfill divine tasks knowing fully well that she might repent and be saved. It was left to her to read the signs and as a result choose sides. Luckily, Rahab made the right choice! So, when the Spies arrived, she immediately identified that moment as the time she was waiting for; the right question to ask at this point is this: at that point when the right opportunity comes loitering around your side, are you prepared and discerning enough to declare that challenge as the right moment to step out? Again and again, we have seen how great men of faith in the bible passed through this pivotal phase of identifying the right moment to move! When David met Goliath, he knew that was his entrance into the purpose of God for his life; here again, when Rahab took in the spies, she understood that the right moment had come for her to shift sides and move into the next move of God. Be wise!

Leadership depends less on titles but rather depends heavily on influence.

Rahab further proved that she understood times and seasons by striking a memorable deal with the Israelite spies. Her words in the following verses explained her action: “Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers , my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.” Joshua 2:12-13. She knew that Jericho would soon be on fire, she quickly shifted sides to Israel and therefore became the Saviour of her entire family! She lobbied not just for her life, but for her family, what a lady! Just as Rahab understood that the destiny of her entire household depended on how swift she was, in making the right decisions and therefore went all out to ensure that she successfully do the needful, believers of today must also understand that, a lot of destinies lies in our care!

The secondary purpose of man is that man was made for others!

PASTOR IFE ADETONA

Until you start to realize that your failure in bringing your God-given solutions to the problems of this world is the reason why we are still in this mess, you will never be ready to move into action! Someone needs you desperately to survive. In the words of my discipler, Pastor Ife Adetona, the secondary purpose of man is that man was made for others! Rahab might not have been able save the whole city of Jericho, but the fact still remain that, she saved the exact ones under her influence and capacity to help, her immediate family! You don’t have to save the whole world or solve all the problems of this world; just by solving the problems of a certain age group or set of people, you have contributed largely in making the world a better place for people! That is exactly what Jesus would do if He is to be living in mortal flesh in this season and age. Be like Jesus, Save our world!

Until you start to realize that your failure in bringing your God-given solutions to the problems of this world is the reason why we are still in this mess, you will never be ready to move into action!

Finally, as expected, Rahab directed the spies to safety and thereby kept her part of the deal. Later in the book of Joshua chapter 6, when it was time for Jericho to fall flat before God’s people, Joshua commanded the two spies to go into the city and bring Rahab’s household to safety as earlier agreed. In that way, Rahab saved her life and also the life of her household! This was the entrance of Rahab into the community of God’s people. God always reward faithfulness! Since Rahab walked through the unexpected and successfully navigated her way into the Camp of the God of Israel, God not only took her in as a daughter, she became one of the direct ancestors of the Lord Jesus Himself! If there is anything God will never forget, then it must be: the faithfulness of man! Remain faithful in His will! Have you been blessed by this episode? Then share your testimony in the comments section below, don’t forget to drop your email so you can be notified once we drop a new episode. Thanks for visiting The Fire Place!