IMITATE THEIR FAITH / She Was "Declared Righteous by Works" -SHE RECEIVED THE SPIES - CONTINUE

 Suddenly, though, messengers from the king of Jericho arrived! Word had spread that spies frm Israel had come to the house of Rahab.  What would Rahab do?  If she protected those two strangersm might she not put herself and her entire household at risk?  Would not the peoples of Jericho slaughter  them all  is she sheltered such enemies?  On the other hand, Rahab could now have no doubt about the identity of themen.  If she alreayd  knew that Jehovah was a far better God than her own, might this be  her opportunity to take a stand on Jehovah's side? 

Rahab had lttle time to think, yet she was resourcefull and acted quickly. She had the spies hide among the stalks of flax that were laid out to dry on the flat roof of her house.  Then she spoke to the king's  messengers. saying: "Yes, the men did come to me, and I did know from where they  were.  And it came about at the closing of the gate by dark that the men  went out.  I just do not know where the men have gone. Chase after them quickly, for  you will overtake them." (Joshua 2:4, 5)  Imagine Rahab watching the faces of the king's emissaries. Did she wonder if they could tell her heart was racing? 

Her ruse worked!  The king's men hurried off in the direction of the fords of the  Jordan.  (Joshual 2:7)  Rahab must have breathed a sigh of relief. Using simple strategy, she had misdirected murderous men who had no right to the truth and she had saved innocent servants of Jehovah. 

Next time:  IMITATE THEIR FAITH / She Was "Declared Righteous by Works" - Concluson of  SHE RECEIVED THE SPIES

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