The Watford Church of Christ Podcast
We are on a journey to that future life exploring the incredible plans God has for us on earth to love Him and to love others. Join us on this journey!
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Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 473 | New Thing Series — Part 28 | “Rahab’s Future” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab’s future.
“Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.” (Matthew 1:2-6 NRSV)
The genealogy continues all the way to, “Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.” (Matthew 1:16 NRSV)
Rahab’s future
We know almost nothing about Rahab and her family after they are rescued from the assault on Jericho.
We know that she appears in the genealogy of Jesus.
This means several things. She got married and she became a mother.
Someone put it like this:
God redefined Rahab —
from a fallen woman to a chosen woman,
from a bad girl to a bride,
from a mess to a mother and
from prostitute to progenitor of the Messiah.*
For Reflection
When we are baptised into Christ we are redefined by God. We become his children, part of his family. Our identity changes from stranger to friend. Our status changes from lost to found. Our future changes from horror to hope. Our destiny changes from hell to heaven.
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.” (1 John 3:1-2 NRSV)
Why not take some time today to pray to thank God for redefining you? Ask him to make clear all the ways in which he has changed your future.
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
*(https://lisaappelo.com/lessons-from-rahab-in-lineage-of-jesus/) Lisa Appello
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 472 | New Thing Series — Part 27 | “Rahab’s Obedience” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab’s obedience.
“The men said to her, “We will be released from this oath that you have made us swear to you if we invade the land and you do not tie this crimson cord in the window through which you let us down, and you do not gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your family. If any of you go out of the doors of your house into the street, they shall be responsible for their own death, and we shall be innocent; but if a hand is laid upon any who are with you in the house, we shall bear the responsibility for their death. But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be released from this oath that you made us swear to you.” She said, “According to your words, so be it.” She sent them away and they departed. Then she tied the crimson cord in the window.” (Joshua 2:17-21 NRSV)
“So the young men who had been spies went in and brought Rahab out, along with her father, her mother, her brothers, and all who belonged to her—they brought all her kindred out—and set them outside the camp of Israel.” (Joshua 6:23 NRSV)
Rahab’s obedience
We cannot be certain as to the origin of the significance of the crimson cord, if there was one.
In itself it is insignificant. A piece of cord is not an important object. Except, that it is — in this context.
Can you imagine how carefully she tied it to the window? I'm sure it was the tightest knot she ever made.
I wonder if she had some scarlet cord handy? Perhaps she had some blue or green cord. That was not good enough. She not only put the code in the window, but made sure it was the right colour.
Did she risk people asking her why she had put the cord out of her window? How would she explain it?
Her obedience was immediate, precise and courageous.
Her face was demonstrated in this obedience. What saved her was not the chord, but her faith in the God who revealed the significance of the cord for her salvation.
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.” (James 2:24-26 NRSV)
For Reflection
We are baptised into Christ as an act of obedience. Something very profound and significant happens in our baptism, but it is not magic. Sins are washed away not because we get wet, but because we have faith in God. He saves us because we trust him to do so.
Why not take some time today to pray to thank God for your Salvation and ask him to continue to live a life of trusting obedience?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Friday Jan 26, 2024
Friday Jan 26, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 471 | New Thing Series — Part 26 | “Rahab’s Family” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab’s family.
“The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the LORD that you in turn will deal kindly with my family. Give me a sign of good faith that you will spare my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” (Joshua 2:12-13 NRSV)
“Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house, and bring the woman out of it and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.” So the young men who had been spies went in and brought Rahab out, along with her father, her mother, her brothers, and all who belonged to her—they brought all her kindred out—and set them outside the camp of Israel.” (Joshua 6:22-23 NRSV)
Rahab’s family
Rahab prioritises her family, not herself. She sees her opportunity for salvation as something she wants others to experience.
Just about the highest value for a woman in ancient society was in terms of her relation to husband, father and children. So her concern for her family is, in this passage, presented as making her ‘righteous’ (see the Proverbs 31 woman, with parallels concerning family, industry, flax and crimson clothing).
‘The term for family is literally ‘house of the father’. This appears in the Bible as a description of an extended family governed by the eldest male. Members of a family often lived together in a cluster of dwellings… Rahab requests a sure sign (Heb. ʾôt ʾĕmet) that this deliverance will be accomplished. The sign is the oath that she wants the spies to swear for the protection of her family. It is important to see the solidarity of the family, a concept that in this case ensures blessing and salvation for many in addition to the believer. As an oath of fealty, this covenant would bring Rahab’s family into Israelite society…Rahab and her family here ceased to be Canaanite and became part of Israel’s family. Rahab is acting as spokeswoman and agent for the family. A female, rather than a male, leads this extended family and her faith delivers it.’ Tyndale
“And whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8 NRSV)
“And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 NRSV)
For Reflection
Rahab could not control her family — it was up to them whether they joined her in her house at the time of Joshua’s attack on Jericho — but she gave them a chance.
Why not take some time today to pray for your family? Include extended family, including any who live abroad, those you don’t see very often or others you find difficult. What could you do to give them a chance to share in your salvation?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 470 | New Thing Series — Part 25 | “Rahab’s Kindness” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab’s kindness.
“As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any of us because of you. The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the LORD that you in turn will deal kindly with my family.” (Joshua 2:11-12 NRSV)
Rahab’s kindness is a new thing
Rahab has “dealt kindly” with the spies. In return she asks them to ‘deal kindly’ with her family
The word ‘kindly’ is a very rich word. It is the Hebrew word ‘hesed’.
‘hesed’ is a covenant word expressing a commitment to faithfulness
God uses the word of himself when speaking to Moses
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love (‘hesed’) to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”” (Exodus 34:6-7 NIV11)
God is saying, ‘I am the hesed God. You can count on me to keep my covenant.’
Ḥesed is found nearly 250 times in the OT and is hard to translate. Usually a composite of English words is used: grace, mercy, compassion, steadfast love and so on. Bernard of Clairvaux described it as the “love that will not let us go.”
Note in the Exodus passage how his love is lavished on thousands while the punishments for sin only last to the third or fourth generation.
These are the first things God says to Moses from within the cloud, as he prepares to give the law to Moses the second time. The very giving of the law a second time is an act of ḥesed love.
hesed is not so much about a state, but a relationship. It makes sense in the context of family and community bonds.
For Reflection
Rahab has demonstrated hesed (kindness) and wants hesed to be shown to her family. She wants in on the family of God who she trusts to show her hesed because that is at the very core of what God’s family is all about. The same is true for us in the New Testament:
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7 NRSV)
Why not take some time today to reflect on some of the ways God has been lavishly kind to you in your Christian life so far?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 469 | New Thing Series — Part 24 | “Rahab’s Reward” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore what Rahab’s reward.
“Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”
“Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.” (Joshua 2:17-21 NIV11)
Rahab’s reward is a new thing
She acts in faith
Her actions have no precedent
Her actions were courageous.
“Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her.” So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother, her brothers and sisters and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.
Then they burned the whole city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’S house. But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day.” (Joshua 6:22-25 NIV11)
For Reflection
Rahab’s stands as an inspiration to us in our faith because she did not ‘deserve’ her reward. She was not an Israelite, had not history of YHWH worship and a limited understanding, if any, of the covenant and commands of the LORD. Yet, she recognised God doing a new thing, paid attention, accepted it, and, courageously, fitted her future into what God was doing.
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
IntroductionWhy are we looking at Rahab as part of this 'a new thing' series?She is the first non-Isrealite in the genealogy of Jesus:
“and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,” (Matthew 1:5 NRSV)
It doesn't get much better than that!There are several 'unlikely' people in that list.There are several reasons she should not be in that list, but they are the same reason she is in the list.First, a review of what happens in Joshua 2 & 6Joshua 2.1-24Joshua 6.17Joshua 6.22-25
1. She is a Gentile
God's desire has always been for everyone to know him
“I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”” (Genesis 12:3 NRSV)“And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” (Isaiah 56:6-7 NRSV)
Jesus saw this as pertaining to his own day
“and he said, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer’; but you have made it a den of robbers.”” (Luke 19:46 NRSV)
Paul recognised the significance of the arrival of the Messiah
“Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.”” (Romans 15:12 NRSV)
Rahab prefigures the hope that all modern-day Gentiles have that, by faith, we are included in the people of God.
2. She is a womanRahab as protector- In the Old Testament men are protectors; so are women. [[Abigail]] protects her husband and the men in her household from a violent death (1 Sam. 25). [[Rahab]] protects the male spies (Josh. 2). [[Esther]] protects her people, the Jews, from being massacred (Esth. 2:19 – 9:19).- She is one of two heroines in a window heading off danger: Rahab and Michal, societal opposites.
“Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the outer side of the city wall and she resided within the wall itself.” (Joshua 2:15 NRSV)“So Michal let David down through the window; he fled away and escaped.” (1 Samuel 19:12 NRSV)
Rahab as a woman of dignity'We think of the courageous life of [[Sarah]] (Gen. 12–23), the faith of [[Rahab]] (Josh. 2), the commitment of [[Hannah]] (1 Sam. 1–2), the devotion of [[Ruth]] (Ruth 1–4), [[Abigail]]’s gentle but firm rebuke of David (1 Sam. 25), the humble faith of both the widow of Zarephath (1 Kgs. 17) and the Shunammite woman (2 Kgs. 4), and the risk-taking faith of [[Esther]] (Esth. 1–10).' Blomberg, Craig . Two Views on Women in Ministry (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology) (p. 272). Zondervan Academic.
Jesus treats women with dignity- “She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.” (Luke 10:39 NRSV)- Rahab prefigures the promise of the Spirit that all are equal before God(Acts 2:17-18 NRSV)
3. She has a questionable professionRahab as host- Hosts the undesirable?- Hosts spies, people of God, beachhead of kingdom, 'temple'- Place of faith and salvation- Like Jesus in reverse - hosting those who make her life more complicated(Mark 2:15-17 NRSV)
ConclusionWhat does Rahab learn?God cares about the Gentiles (those far from God)God keeps his promises (salvation)God is powerful (more so than any earthly power)God is full of grace (no matter what others think of her, or she thinks of herself)
What do we learn?The importance of honouring the marginalised - if God does it, and Jesus, so should we. He wants them in his family.Not to look down on 'sinners', but to seek to show them the love of God.No human barrier can stop anyone from becoming a God-follower.To have vision for those (apparently) furthest from God
New Thing pointHer decision to have faith in God took her and her family on a new counter-cultural journey into uncharted territory.
'It must have been an interesting period for Rahab’s extended family, all squashed into her house, like a mini-ark, on the edge of a terrorised city, waiting for the unknown.' Amanda Kaner
Is God taking you and/or your congregation into the unknown, so as to do a new thing?Questions for reflection and discussion
Who do you personally know that is as far from God as it is possible to be?
What would it take for you to pray for their salvation and believe it to be possible?
What will help you to remain faithful and confident on God despite the uncertainties of the new thing God is doing?
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 468 | New Thing Series — Part 23 | “Rahab’s Request” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab’s request.
““Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”
“Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.”
So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.”” (Joshua 2:12-16 NIV11)
Rahab requests a new thing
No Gentiles have been ‘saved’ so far
She has no precedent for her request
She has no guarantee her request will be accepted or honoured
Her request is based on a ‘new’ God she has heard about but does not yet know
For Reflection
Rahab is bold in her request. She is shooting for the moon. The request is not only for her. It is for “my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them”. There is something inspiring about her faith. It is limited — shaky even — but bold. She cannot see the whole picture, and she has limited evidence that the outcome will be as she desires. Yet that does not stop her asking. We do not need full faith the make requests in prayer that God will hear, honour and answer. We need to ask with the faith we have.
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 467 | New Thing Series — Part 22 | “Rahab Knows” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore what Rahab knows.
“Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 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 2:8-11 NIV11)
Rahab knows that God is at work
Many have heard of what God is doing (parting the Red Sea)
Many have experienced what God is doing (destruction of Sihon & Og)
Many are worried about what is going to happen (hearts melted in fear)
But only Rahab ‘knows’ what God is doing (“I know that…”)
Rahab ‘knows’ God is doing a new thing (“…the LORD has given you this land…”)
For Reflection
It is one thing to hear about God, but an entirely different thing to recognising the relevance for our own lives. Have you heard about God moving in someone else’s life, or in a different church? Could this be a faith-inspiration for you? What is the relevance of other people’s good news for you?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Elijah, 1 Kings 19
Introduction““Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)Elijah - insight from God doing new things
BackgroundElijah the miracle-worker (rare)God’s people in a bad way - Ahab/JezebelOn the run
1. Elijah’s Past
A. CourageTo confront: Scary situation“While Jezebel was killing off the LORD’S prophets,” (1 Kings 18:4 NIV11)“Ahab went to meet Elijah. When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the LORD’S commands and have followed the Baals. Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”” (1 Kings 18:16-19 NIV11-)“Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. (1 Kings 18:38 NIV1)Confrontation on Carmel To obey — when looked humanly impossibleNo rain When alone - no churchWhat gives us the courage to act when ‘alone’?We are never ‘alone’ - Jesus is with us“remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:20 NRSV)
B. ConfirmationGod with him People repent - revival -“The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!””(1 Kings 18:39 NIV11-GK)
2. Elijah’s Present
A. Fearful (Anxious)Jezebel’s threat““May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.” (1 Kings 19:2-3 NIV11-GK)
B. ForgetfulWilderness and Cave - reference“I have had enough, LORD….Take my life…” (1 Ki 19:4)“I have been…the Israelites…I am the only one…” 1 King 19.10, 14
What can we do when paralysed by fear, regret, blame, shame, recrimination?Go back to God and his promises
C. Perfect placeFor God to do his work
3. Elijah’s FutureGod’s tenderness, patience, kindness - vv5-8God asking questions, listening, creating experiences of his power for Elijah, speaking to Elijah, directing him - vv9-15“Work with my people”
A. FocusWhen our eyes are on anything other than Jesus we damage our focusWhat shifts your focus from Jesus?We become more like whatever has our attentionFocus is how we engage with God
B. OpennessOpenness is the way we open the door to God transforming usFaith is staying open to GodTaking time to listenCreate marginWhat is God up to?In life, family, etc.Keep asking the questionOpenness is how God engages with usFocus on Jesus and all your fears melt away
Discipleship ‘A disciple is a person who has decided that the most important thing in her life is to learn how to do what Jesus said to do. . . . Disciples simply are people who are constantly revising their affairs to carry through on their decision to follow Jesus.’ DALLAS WILLARD
Conclusion“Embrace the stillness of January; find peace in the calm before the storm of the year unfolds.”Stay focussed on Jesus - no matter what happens this yearSay open to God doing something new in your life and in this church
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 466 | New Thing Series — Part 21 | “Rahab - an overview ” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we conduct an overview of Rahab’s situation.
“Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.” (Joshua 2:1-7 NIV11)
Rahab is a fascinating character
She does almost all the talking.
She is shown as, in some ways, out-smarting the spies and the King.
She is outside society yet has inside knowledge of God’s plans
She is on the edge of town (inside the city wall) and closer to the purposes of God.
She has an immoral trade going on under her roof, but is open to the moving of God in her life.
She has control over the spies’ lives and yet recognises that they have power over her destiny.
She saves the spies, but is saved by them.
She is in Jesus’s genealogy (Matthew 1:5)
She is an inspiration of faith (Hebrews 11:31)
She is considered righteous (James 2:25
For Reflection
What do you hope to learn from Rahab? What ‘new thing’ is God doing in her life? What parallels can you see between her and your own situation?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/