This month's memory verse

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called 
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Listen to the Podcast

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Sunday, Dec 6 Sun
Dec 6
Genesis 21:1-3
 Monday, Dec 7 Mon
Dec 7
Genesis 22:7-8, 13-14
 Tuesday, Dec 8 Tue
Dec 8
Genesis 28:13-15
 Wednesday, Dec 9 Wed
Dec 9
Genesis 37:27-28, Genesis 50:19-20
 Thursday, Dec 10 Thu
Dec 10
Deuteronomy 5:6-7, 21-22
 Friday, Dec 11 Fri
Dec 11
Joshua 2:9-11
 Saturday, Dec 12 Sat
Dec 12
Ruth 1:16-17, Ruth 2:8-9

An Unlikely Rescuer

Key Verse | Joshua 2:11

No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.

Joshua 2:9-11

9“I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. 10For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea* when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed.*11No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.

Footnotes

2:10a Hebrew sea of reeds.
2:10b The Hebrew term used here refers to the complete consecration of things or people to the Lord, either by destroying them or by giving them as an offering.

Devotion

Today’s story is about people in need of rescue. The two spies needed rescue from the local officials who were hunting them, and Rahab needed to be rescued from the coming destruction of Jericho.

For a little backstory, Joshua led the people of Israel towards the Promised Land. Before they entered in, he sent two spies to go check out the city of Jericho. This was a dangerous task, but the Lord kept them safe. He led them to Rahab, a woman who feared the Lord and was able to help them escape from the enemy king. 

Rahab seemed like an unlikely person for God to use to rescue the Israelite spies. She wasn’t powerful. Based on her job description, she wouldn’t have exactly been considered a saint. As a citizen of Jericho, she was technically the Israelites’ enemy. However, Rahab had heard stories of the miracles God had done, and she believed them to be true. She understood that “the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.” She had faith in the God of Israel. Because of her faith, God saved her and her family when she asked for protection.

Rahab couldn’t see it at the time, but God not only used her to help rescue the spies and her own family, but he also allowed her to be a special part of his family. Many years later, one of her direct descendants—Jesus—would come to rescue his people from a coming destruction. Rahab was saved because of her faith (Hebrews 11:31), and we can be saved through our faith in Jesus.

Questions:

  1. Rahab might seem like an unlikely hero—but then, so is a shepherd boy (David), a man on the run for murder (Moses), a foreigner and widow (Ruth), a baby born in a barn (Jesus), and a host of other examples. Why do you think God chooses seemingly powerless people to accomplish his plans?
  2. How does Rahab’s story give you hope and encouragement for your life? 

Optional Family Activity:

To remind your kids that they can never hide from God’s amazing love, play a game of sardines where one person hides and everyone else tries to find them. When someone finds the one hiding, they must join them in their hiding spot. The game is over when everyone has found the hiding spot.

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