There will be more than one lesson on Rahab.

Today’s is preliminary.

But first, this thought.

One of the biggest criticisms of the Book of Joshua is the “killing” that occurs in its pages. “Genocide,” it has been called for decades. But now a new word has taken over, “racism!”

Those “Jews” expelling those “Canaanites” (more particularly: the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites) from their land! (Land which God created, and thus owns. And can give to whomsoever He pleases. Which He did, granting the land to Israel!)

“Racism,” the politically correct (or maybe incorrect) word of the hour!

Well now, here comes Rahab, the foreigner, Joshua chapter 2. (She’s also discussed in even more detail in Joshua chapter 6.) And Rahab was a Canaanite!

Here’s what I am trying to say.

Rahab the despised woman (and a harlot at that) of a filthy race of people … is saved (along with her whole family) and brought into the Nation of Israel!

This no sooner happens than a Jew (of the Tribe of Judah nonetheless … the cream of the crop) is killed, exterminated, stoned to death (he along with his family) because of sin in his life, a (by today’s standards) relatively minor infraction, at that. His name, Achan!

Now … is that racism?

Is “exclusive” Israel here being biased?

Prejudicial?

NO, she is not!

Neither is her God a “racist!”

He is a “whosoever will may come” God!

That thought first entered my mind a couple of days ago … and it was cemented there last night after the Revival Meeting … as I lay in bed pondering this morning’s lesson.

Rahab … the most unlikely candidate in the world … her people slated for destruction … is SAVED!

Achan, from one of Israel’s most prestigious lineages … is SLAIN!

Oh, the marvels of the Grace of God.

And His Judgments, too!

In my heart the age-old attack on the Book of Joshua … its bloodthirstiness … is now “moot!”

Thank you, Lord.

The color of one’s skin is not the issue.

The state of one’s heart is the issue!

Sin is the issue!

Thus Jesus, the Forgiver of sin, is The Issue, centrally so!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell