As I study the book of Jude, small 25 verses right next to Revelation, out of the necessity of his theme to contend for the faith, I must understand the stories he reminds his readers about. These stories compare the false teachers, he writes to warn about, to old testament individuals, groups that were condemned and/or faced God's judgment. The first group Jude takes his audience to is Israel. Freshly rescued from Egypt after watching God's miraculous 10 plagues. Those who just crossed the miracle that was the Red Sea. Of this Israel, Jude says, "But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the LORD, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
This reminder is of a familiar story to people who'd know it well and they would be able to relate to it and the point Jude was making. As we read this story found in Numbers 13-14 we react in frustration toward those who did not believe God. We even feel bad for Joshua and Caleb who paid alongside the majority even though they, Joshua, and Caleb believed. With the majority, unfortunately, these two would have to wait 40 years while those who did not believe died off.
Do we ever stop to think, that delay, those consequences on a rebellious people was God's longsuffering on a people in the direct focus of God's destruction in Canaan? We examine all that Israel lost in the 4o years of their consequences of roaming the wilderness. We forget the faith being forged in those in Canaan this delay offered God's longsuffering toward.
After the original group of doubters died off, God would ready the people to take the land. Joshua and Caleb were being prepared in that 40 year period. They were not the only ones being readied for God's purpose. Israel's consequence for disbelief was God's longsuffering on those in Cannan who might come to faith in Him. There were not many who'd take advantage of this patience of God, but one would and her family would follow, her name is Rahab.
We can read in Joshua 1-3 after Moses' death and those who doubted God also died Joshua was prepared to take the people into the Promised land. As he sent spies, they were assisted by a 'harlot named Rahab." Some historians say she ranged in age, from 35-50. That would mean her faith, which can be read about in these chapters, was forged during the years that Israel wandered the wilderness, and rejected going into the land. Their rejection allowed time for Rahab to recognize their God, as the "Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and the earth beneath." Those are Rahab's words.
Let's bring this around to today. As America suffers possibly the consequences of lackadaisical Christianity, huddling in our own buildings. We neglect obeying God's command to make disciples. We have loved our soft peddled, easy-going 'gospel' and our Nation is showing the consequences. Christianity has not dominated our Nation, we have capitulated our responsibility to the Government. And we see the results.
Though many are suffering at the hands of this wicked governing, God may be bypassing our rebellion and disobedience and using our consequences to forge faith in the many "Rahabs" out there waiting to hear about the God of heaven and earth. Since many of us choose our comfort over conversations of our hope, God may be building lineage in his Kingdom and bypassing our obstinance. Oh, but like Israel, we are paying.
I'd rather be Joshua and Caleb, who lived through the consequences, but God kept them through the end because they believed Him. I want to meet the Rahab's he brings through such a time, resulting in the building of his Kingdom. If he can't use us in our obedience to birth Rehabs, those who are waiting to hear about our great God and Savior, he will use our disobedience. The former results in their salvation and our blessings. The latter results in their salvation and our discipline. We get to pick which will be our outcome. Will we be Joshua and Caleb or Israel’s unbelieving group? Rahab is being readied to hear and believe whether through our obedience or disbelief.
Comments