Today's readings are Joshua 2.1-24 and Acts 8.26-40.
When the Israelites are invading the promised land through the area of Jericho, Rahab summarizes the situation quite well. She tells the spies that everyone knows of the presence of the Israelites. Everyone fears them. Everyone knows God is going to bring Israel into the land. She fears for her well-being, even her life, in the conflict to come.
What do the spies tell her? They have received help from her. They in turn will guard her, protecting not only her life but also the life of the people of her household. All will be safe as long as they act in good faith, not departing from her home during the time of the invasion.
This plan is consistent with what Israel did throughout history. People are always invited to join with the people of Israel, to become part of their nation, to seek shelter and protection within their boundaries, to be adopted into the people of God. Yet those people never find protection on their own terms. God adopts us into His kingdom on His terms.
It seems when we are told we need to accept someone else's terms for our own good we rebel. We don't like to be told what to do. We don't like following directions. Yet that is the way our Lord works. He has provided life and salvation. He has done it through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection on our behalf. He does not allow us a way to work to our salvation. He doesn't allow us to make up the terms. He has given the terms and done all that is required. If we don't like it, we, like the residents of Jericho, will ultimately get to deal with the consequences.
May the Lord draw us to himself on the terms he has provided, working in us the salvation that he has promised.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com
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