He is God of the Whole World
We tend to forget that God has always been God of the entire world. He was never simply the God of Israel. He chose Israel to be an example for the rest of the world. Exodus 19:5-6 explains, “Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” The NIV words it perhaps a bit more clearly when it says, “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine…” They were set up as special, but not as alone for all the earth is God’s. Indeed, all the earth descended from the eight people who walked off the ark after the flood. Though the people were scatter across the world, they took with them the truth of the one true God, His mighty works, creation, and the flood. We can see this clearly when we study anthropology of ancient cultures. Every culture has a flood story. Every culture has a creation story. As we read through our own Bible, we see people who were not Hebrews who knew the Lord. We have people like Melchizedek who was a priest of God so revered that Abraham gave him his tithe. Moses’ father-in-law was called a priest though he was not a Hebrew, and the Levitical priesthood had not yet been established.
In today’s reading, we hear the story of a woman of questionable occupation and certainly a nationality that stood as an enemy of Israel. Still, verses 9-11 show more courage and faith than many of the Israelites showed during their time in the wilderness. The fame of God Almighty was not confined to the nation without a permanent home. She admits that her people, though enemies of God, feared Him. She has heard the stories and witnessed enough to convince her that this God was the One True God and the pieces of stone and wood her people worshipped were nothing but decoration.
We know only bits and pieces of Rahab’s life. What we do know has been debated. Some believe she was a prostitute while others claim the word which was translated could have implied she was an innkeeper. However, her occupation isn’t what is important about this woman. Her faith is. It is not for her former life that God rewarded her so greatly but for her choices which spoke of her faith. This woman who was once an enemy of God became the ancestor of Jesus. Let us never forget the non-Israelite women in Christ’s lineage. Rahab was of Jericho. Ruth was of Moab. Tamar was a Canaanite, and Bathsheba most likely was a Hittite like her husband. God does not only care about those who wear His name on their hearts. He cares for the world. None are beyond His watch, nor are they beyond having the opportunity to turn their hearts to Him. Rahab saw the miracles and believed in the God. Ruth felt the love through her mother-in-law and believed. Let us never count anyone out. Rather, let us always strive to be God’s hands and feet for those who may not know, may not yet believe, or may even still hate the name of the Lord. There are none too far gone, none too unworthy, and none whom God does not extend the invitation to. Can we say the same?
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
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