The turning of a heart
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. –Joshua 6:22-23 (NIV)
It’s not uncommon for the casual Old Testament observer to assume that the Israelites got all the breaks while the other nations were always and only objects of God’s wrath. Yes, God did administer justice on unrepentantly wicked people groups. He also found ways to bless His people of promise, oftentimes in spite of themselves. But a careful reading reveals a more nuanced story than that.
Rahab was a Canaanite woman with a shady reputation. But she believed what she had heard about the God of the Israelites. So she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy out the city of Jericho. Then she made a bold request, which the spies agreed to on behalf of Joshua, the people, and God Himself.
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 6:25 (NIV)
Rahab and her family were spared from annihilation. They were then integrated into the nation of Israel. She would go on to became part of the lineage of Jesus. How’s that for God showing favor to someone who was not a native-born Hebrew?
With an unorthodox battle plan, the Israelites went on to conquer the city. God gave very specific instructions on what to do with the people and property they found there. After that victory, the stage was set for a successful military campaign across the region. Joshua proceeded to send out a small battalion against a much lesser opponent. The result was a stunning defeat. Joshua was devastated. What could have possibly gone wrong?
“‘In the morning, present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe the Lord chooses shall come forward clan by clan; the clan the Lord chooses shall come forward family by family; and the family the Lord chooses shall come forward man by man. Whoever is caught with the devoted things shall be destroyed by fire, along with all that belongs to him. He has violated the covenant of the Lord and has done an outrageous thing in Israel!’” –Joshua 7:14-15 (NIV)
Achan got greedy following the win at Jericho. He rebelled against the commands of God, took some of the spoils for himself, and cost the lives of thirty-six men when they went out to take Ai. From the largest tribe of Israel, the tribe from which kings would emerge, including Messiah, Achan lost his name, his life, and his family because he failed to trust and obey God. What a waste.
Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The Lord will bring trouble on you today.” Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. –Joshua 7:25-26a (NIV)
Two characters from very different backgrounds who each had a choice to make. God made a promise to Abraham and He was bound to keep that promise. But God doesn’t just deal with nations; He deals with individuals. And when He deals with individuals, He sees the heart. A faithless heart will get left out, no matter its lineage. And a faithful heart will enjoy the favor and blessing of God, regardless of the bloodlines. It doesn’t matter where you’ve come from, only which way you’re headed.