Whenever there are moments of judgement in the Bible they always stand as a background for an expression of grace. Grace is undeserved favour. We cannot appreciate grace if we do not appreciate the judgement that we naturally deserve. The story of the great flood (Genesis 6-9), for example, serves as the background for the salvation of humanity through Noah and his ark. So too the terrible judgement upon the Canaanites serves as the backdrop for God’s purpose to show grace to humanity. This is beautifully prefigured by the story of Rahab who was a cult prostitute living in the most dangerous fortress city of Canaan. She wasn’t saved because she was better than other inhabitants of Jericho. On the contrary, her livelihood was a core part of the problem. And yet there is no hesitation to spare her. That this willingness to save her was divinely sanctioned is confirmed by the fact that she is listed in Hebrews as a hero of the faith! (Hebrews 11:31; see also James 2:25.) Moreover, she is even included in the genealogy of Christ! (Matthew 1:5) Matthew, the former corrupt tax-collector, must have been encouraged to discover that she was an ancestor of Christ, so he does the opposite of hiding it. Rahab stands as a sign that God “does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Repentance and faith are the ‘scarlet cord’ that assures anyone and everyone that they may be saved by the blood of Christ. His death was the ultimate moment of divine judgement in which the grace of God shines to all.
Thank God for the grace he has shown to you and pray for those who haven’t received him yet.
Read Joshua 2
