Rahab (Joshua 11). the Samaritan Woman (John 4). the Sinner of the City (Luke 7)
I WISH to bring these three women before you as witnesses to the fact that the gospel of the grace of God presents to us shelter from God’s judgment, satisfaction of heart, and peace of conscience.
Rahab lived in a city whose judgment had been determined by God, and whilst no living power on earth could avert that destruction, yet He Who had so decreed Himself prepared the way of escape, and made it known by certain men called spies, who entered the city, and, though not publishing the fact, communicated to a few a way of protection. Rahab’s house became the place of refuge; and whoever was inside was safe, whoever was outside was under judgment. This was before the work of destruction began. The ways of God have a uniformity about them. He always prepares a place of safety before any judgment takes place. This was His way when He judged the world by water. Noah built the ark for the saving of his house, and at the same time was a preacher of righteousness. What he had heard from God had taken such effect upon him: he believed all that God had said. It was no mere assent as to the work of Christ and the judgment of God, which is so common today. An assent is an effort of the mind, and even wicked people assent to all you can tell them, without the least effect being produced in their consciences. This can be applied to the one who has not yet believed in the glad tidings of God’s grace, and the Spirit of God is pressing it in their souls. The encircling hosts of Jehovah’s army compassed the doomed city of Jericho, causing terrible consternation to the inhabitants, and though they fought against the Lord’s host (Josh. 24), they were unable to turn them. So must it be with all who reject the offer of God’s salvation; but how different the conditions of those within Rahab’s house. These had had the assurance of safety. All could be calm and quiet in the time of judgment.
So with the believer now. Having heard by faith, he has appropriated the work of Christ. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, not by the reading of a newspaper. Joshua 2:1919And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. (Joshua 2:19) declares the place of safety for the one who takes a place inside. Whosoever was inside was under shelter from God’s judgment all outside were under judgment. Reader, how do you stand? Inside or outside is the question! Face the matter before God, consider it well; no time to lose. The judgment of God is hastening on to the doomed world. With all its innovations, there is not one which can stay that judgment. In the days of the flood, when “wicked men said to God, Depart from us,” He took them at their word and left them for judgment. Never say to God, “Depart.” He may go and never return and then the lake of fire is your everlasting portion. Yet in the midst of this mocking He provided a place of safety. The door of the ark was not closed until the last sound of the voice of the “preacher of righteousness” had died away. Then the Lord shut the door. He shut Noah in and all the millions of unbelievers out, and out forever! But a scarlet line hung out of Rahab’s window, which had already been the means of salvation to the spies and marked the place of safety for others―figures of the precious blood of Christ, which gave to God the right and title to save each and all. Then Rahab, who found shelter, found also a resting-place amongst God’s people (Josh. 6:2525And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. (Joshua 6:25)) and a place in relationship with the king (Matt. 1:55And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; (Matthew 1:5)). She is one of the four women in the genealogy of the King. She was indeed brought out from destruction and brought into the place of blessing.
The Samaritan woman comes before us a poor, distressed soul, but, after the “Prophet” had reached her conscience, she finds unbounded satisfaction in the same blessed One Who relieved her of her burden. Who had demolished with one blow all the fabric she had woven around herself by the threads of an ancient relationship with God’s people. She had her notions of worship and stuck to them; perhaps you do the same. Let me tell you that “God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.” Don’t rest on the church of your forefathers. Rest on Christ. Rest on no church, no minister, but on the finished work of Christ. A finger-post points the way, but has never put one soul on that way. This poor woman, overjoyed with her new-found treasure, leaves her water-pot, and seeks others to share the joy with her. It is a true sign of conversion when we wish others to enjoy the blessing. Whatever God gives always returns to Him; so He is always a gainer by anything He does. “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” The doing of the Father’s will was His meat. Oh, would it be so with us!
Now, the “sinner of the city” receives of the hands of the Lord forgiveness, salvation, and peace. What a scene opens to us as we look within Simon’s house. The blessed Lord, full of grace and truth, is there; also a proud Pharisee, who thought but little of Him who had come under his roof; and a poor sinner, in her sins, but who knew them and felt the burden of them. Reader, let us ask if you ever shed one tear over your sins. Ah! you may say we all feel sorry about our misdeeds. That may be; but my question is deeper than that. Have you been before God about them and wept bitter tears? I do not refer to the effeminate weeping of the flesh, when some thrilling anecdote is related by the evangelist. I mean the pressing home on the conscience, by the Holy Spirit in quietude, God’s judgment of sin and the sufferings of His beloved Son in expiation of yours.
The Pharisee lost the blessing, his pride hindering his acceptance.
It is in such characters as these three women that the triumph of God’s grace is seen. Reader, have you found shelter from God’s judgment? Have you had personally to do with Christ? Has he pronounced to you personally, “Thy sins be forgiven thee, go in peace”? What comfort to a poor distressed soul!
J. S. B.