“When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”-Joshua 2:11
When Rahab declared that Israel’s God was Lord over both the heavens and the earth, she had just walked down the aisle so to speak and became born again.
In her mind, it was quite a logical decision to make.
Because if Hashem rules over both the heavenly and earthly realms and there are no other realms to inhabit, then the only conclusion one can come to is that the God of Israel is the only God one needs to declare allegiance to in one’s life for all time and forever.
Rahab placed her faith in the Lord, and it was credited to her as righteousness.
Her decision to trust Hashem was both simple and practical.
From a practical perspective, she was well aware that Israel’s God had literally destroyed all enemies who dared oppose Him.
And she was also aware the Lord had given her homeland to the Israelites (it was common knowledge at this time).
So it just made sense to her that she didn’t want to be on the losing side of the Holy War when it began.
She knew the certain and horrible results of being an enemy of God.
Also, keep in mind this was NOT a false conversion even though the two spies were understandably cautious about accepting her kindness.
Here’s where the big lesson for us comes into play.
How do we know for a fact that Rahab’s conversion was legit?
Because she backed it up with actions homie.
She put her own freedom and life on the line.
She even lied to the government authorities.
And she helped the spies to escape.
Of course, she did want something in return for her conversion.
She wanted her whole family to be spared.
Rahab had grasped an important truth that every human being had better come to terms with before it’s too late.
Submit to the God of Israel or be destroyed.
The destruction may not happen right away and it may not be a physical destruction here on this planet but rest assured, whether it takes place this side of heaven or not, destruction is a certainty.
Another important takeaway is that if God rules over both the heavens and the earth, then we shouldn’t be lopsided and place too much emphasis on our heavenly rewards after our deaths.
God is here now and is active in your life now.
Let’s not forget God is the Lord over both our earthly life as well as our spiritual life.
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