Rahab and Ruth
These women from old testament times have many similarities.Both were gentiles, unacceptable into the congregation of Israel according to law. Both wouldn't pass, if law was the parameter! But, both found grace in the sight of the Lord; He justified them. Also, they found more grace (great favour) as their names find place in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
"Matthew 1:5 NKJV
Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,"
We know that Rahab, was a harlot and she was a gentile_a Canaanite woman. But her life was changed when she sheltered the spies sent by Joshua and spared their lives. She was aware how great our God is, as she rightly says that, "
"Joshua 2:11 NKJV
And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath."_ we know later her life was changed and lived a honorable life. Yes , God's grace has the power to change and turn every sinner, when they believe in the God of heaven and earth. Yeah, sin had not reined in her.
Another person in our discussion is Ruth.
She is a Moabite_a non-Jew!! People who are Christians for generation can understand very little about the hardships this woman would have faced!!
Yes her everyday existence would have been very very difficult. But I really love the way that she assures herself of the faith in the Living God as she says to her mother in law Naomi,
"Ruth 1:16-17 NKJV
But Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. [17] Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me."
She didn't take a U_turn or V_turn. She would not return to her household of unbelievers- she was determined in that. She had found parents, brothers and sisters in God's kingdom, as she had accepted Naomi's people as her own.
Lord Jesus assures those who have left their household for His sake, that He will repay them, hundredfold
(See also Matthew 19:29 NKJV)
"Mark 10:29 MSG
Jesus said, "Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land---whatever---because of me and the Message will lose out. They'll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land---but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first."
We find a negative example too- Lot's wife, who turned back and became a pillar of salt, which stands even today,
"Genesis 19:23-26 NKJV
The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar. [24] Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. [25] So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. [26] But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt."
I am sure if Ruth would have lived in our present age, she would have sung,
"I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, No turning back"
"I will follow You, I will follow You, I will follow You my God
I will follow You, I will follow You, I will follow Your testament.
"Though none go with me still I will follow
No turning back, No turning back"
Ruth and Rahab are examples of people who were determined not to leave God and His people!!, yes God's grace does that for anyone who believes in Jesus ... And she had found favour from God.
Even today Jesus is looking for New Covenant Rahabs, Ruths, Josephs, Daniels, Shadrachs, Meshachs, and Abed-Negos,
who are fully devoted to Him.
Hallelujah, Jesus Our Saviour.
These women from old testament times have many similarities.Both were gentiles, unacceptable into the congregation of Israel according to law. Both wouldn't pass, if law was the parameter! But, both found grace in the sight of the Lord; He justified them. Also, they found more grace (great favour) as their names find place in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
"Matthew 1:5 NKJV
Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,"
We know that Rahab, was a harlot and she was a gentile_a Canaanite woman. But her life was changed when she sheltered the spies sent by Joshua and spared their lives. She was aware how great our God is, as she rightly says that, "
"Joshua 2:11 NKJV
And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath."_ we know later her life was changed and lived a honorable life. Yes , God's grace has the power to change and turn every sinner, when they believe in the God of heaven and earth. Yeah, sin had not reined in her.
Another person in our discussion is Ruth.
She is a Moabite_a non-Jew!! People who are Christians for generation can understand very little about the hardships this woman would have faced!!
Yes her everyday existence would have been very very difficult. But I really love the way that she assures herself of the faith in the Living God as she says to her mother in law Naomi,
"Ruth 1:16-17 NKJV
But Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. [17] Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me."
She didn't take a U_turn or V_turn. She would not return to her household of unbelievers- she was determined in that. She had found parents, brothers and sisters in God's kingdom, as she had accepted Naomi's people as her own.
Lord Jesus assures those who have left their household for His sake, that He will repay them, hundredfold
(See also Matthew 19:29 NKJV)
"Mark 10:29 MSG
Jesus said, "Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land---whatever---because of me and the Message will lose out. They'll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land---but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first."
We find a negative example too- Lot's wife, who turned back and became a pillar of salt, which stands even today,
"Genesis 19:23-26 NKJV
The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar. [24] Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. [25] So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. [26] But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt."
I am sure if Ruth would have lived in our present age, she would have sung,
"I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, No turning back"
"I will follow You, I will follow You, I will follow You my God
I will follow You, I will follow You, I will follow Your testament.
"Though none go with me still I will follow
No turning back, No turning back"
Ruth and Rahab are examples of people who were determined not to leave God and His people!!, yes God's grace does that for anyone who believes in Jesus ... And she had found favour from God.
Even today Jesus is looking for New Covenant Rahabs, Ruths, Josephs, Daniels, Shadrachs, Meshachs, and Abed-Negos,
who are fully devoted to Him.
Hallelujah, Jesus Our Saviour.
