A Scarlet Lifeline of Hope (98) is such a fitting title for this chapter and this story of Rahab. I thought Ann did an excellent job of bringing out so many aspects of this one!
First off, there's the reality of her profession. It ain't pretty. It's hard to even believe that she could have had faith in the godless culture that she lived in. It's not like she was an Israelite that would have grown up the Word of God … She's one women alone with the grime of too many nights on her hands, the weight of too many wounds on her heart - a women who looks up in her godless mess and sees the tenderness of God. (101)
There's so many good lines in this chapter!! It's clear that the author especially took to this story and appreciates what we know of Rahab. And that scarlet cord is her identity - that scarlet line running from the animal sacrifice covering Adam and Eve's nakedness in the Garden of Eden to the crimson markings of blood on the door frames of the first Passover to the willing drops of blood in the garden of Gethsemane - and Rahab is delivered by that singular scarlet cord and tied into the Jewish family.(102)
Here she's connecting the dots between the Old Testament sacrifices and festivals to the ultimate fulfillment of the Law through Jesus' sacrifice.
Isn't the family tree fascinating? Who Rahab goes on to marry, the son she has who later marries Ruth, where the family tree continues with King David that leads to Jesus … The great - grandmother of Christ many times removed - former prostitute, pagan, and profligate - Rahab finds herself the only other woman besides Sarah to be noted in the heroes' hall of faith.(103)
There is such comfort found in this record of Rahab. "Nobody, no sin, should lead to despair when the cure of God's sovereign, almighty grace is engaged."
Nobody and no situation - no sin, no mess, no decision - meets the diagnosis of despair. Because there's God's cure of amazing grace. (103) I love that line!
Rahab is a great example of God's grace that shows no sin is too great for God to cover. She was surrounded by unbelief and yet she was brought to faith despite the odds, for God is great!
1 comment:
For this one, I just need to highlight some of my favorite lines. I agree with you, Rachel, that this chapter is full of great ones.
p.101 - "God is never limited by lack or restricted to the expected." So true! God shows it again and again in scripture and in history and in my life! And yet so often in my prayers and in my worries and fears, and even in my hopes, I restrict God to what I'm expecting.
p.102 - God is "the relentless rescuer of prodigals." We ought more often to "believe that God is where you doubt he can be." This brought to mind some family situations where evidence is being brought to light that loved ones may be falling away. Who am I to say that God is not already at work in these hearts, relentlessly reaching out to rescue them? In fact, knowing what I know about God, he IS reaching out to them! My human nature doesn't see how things could possibly turn around, and speaking from that mentality could lead to a conversation that is less-than-loving or less-than-hopeful. Lord, give me the courage to speak, and give me the words to do so!
p.104 - the only cord worth reaching for: What a wonderful analogy. Life DOES feel like an impossible tangle! So many cords dangling there and you don't know whether to trust any of them. Will it break if I hang on it? Will it be loose, and let me fall while holding on to it? Will it let go a little, then catch, then let go again, then catch, so I will never know whether I'm falling or holding steady? But the Jesus-cord is always there. It's always strong and steady and fixed firmly to heaven. Jesus, may we always reach for you first thing - better yet, may we never ever let go!
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