CONTENTS This Chapter contains that memorable history which is handed down to gospel times, with such honourable testimony of the harlot Rahab. Joshua having sent spies from Shittim to Jericho, Rahab in faith received them into her house, concealed them, and before she sent them away in peace made... [ Continue Reading ]
The alarm of the king of Jericho was very natural. He and his people had heard of Israel, and of the Lord being among them. Remember God's promise. Deuteronomy 2:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
The history of this woman forms so interesting a subject in the gospel, that we cannot be too particular in attending to all the circumstances the Holy Ghost hath been pleased to give us concerning it. If whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, certainly this claims v... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle James had it in commission from the Holy Ghost, to tell the church, that the harlot Rahab was justified by works, but then it was, as he observed, the works of faith: meaning that her belief in the God of Israel, was not a cold inactive faith, but a faith that was so well founded, throug... [ Continue Reading ]
What a wonder working God our God is! Jericho is one of the cities devoted to destruction: and yet in this place there is a precious soul to be gathered to his people! Compare Joshua 6:26 with 1 Kings 16:34. In Jericho there is a woman of ill-fame, an harlot: and grace singles her out for the illust... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe what views she had of Jehovah, that the grand security she desired was an oath of appeal to him! Where should she have learned this? Was not God her teacher? Isaiah 48:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
How earnest are the feelings of natural affection! Are we not taught by this instance to be very anxious for the everlasting welfare of our relations after the flesh, and to feel somewhat of Abraham ' s longing for the salvation of Ishmael. Genesis 17:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
I pass over all the several particulars of the agreement between Rahab and the spies, to call the Reader's attention to the interesting circumstances to which Rahab was enjoined by the spies, as signals between her and Israel. In the scarlet thread which the men of Israel gave Rahab, is there not so... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! do not fail to discern Jesus as the hiding place of his people, when both law and justice pursue them. The Psalmist took great comfort in this view. And why may not you and I? When Jesus hides his people, he manifests himself. Psalms 32:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is very sweet to exercise faith in God's promises, and to enjoy his mercies by anticipation. Reader! remember that is not faith which hath in possession: it is not to trust God when the promise is realized. But that is faith which depends upon God when we see not how things will go, but believe t... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS PAUSE, my soul, over this chapter, and contemplate the several parts of it, and beg of God the Holy Ghost, who hath caused it to be written for thy instruction, to be thy teacher. Do not I behold, in the instance of Rahab the harlot, the testimony of that blessed doctrine, that where si... [ Continue Reading ]