The article "Faith and God’s Promise" by Don Fortner explores the nature of faith through the biblical figure of Rahab, emphasizing that true faith is not a mere belief in one’s own abilities but a total trust in God's revelation and promises. Fortner argues that Rahab's faith exemplified a genuine belief in God, illustrated through her actions in protecting the spies and seeking mercy for her family, as noted in Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25. He further supports his arguments with scriptural references, emphasizing that Rahab's faith rested in the commitment of God’s messengers and the promise of salvation represented by the scarlet cord, paralleling believers' reliance on Christ's sacrifice for eternal security (John 10:28, Romans 8:32-39). The practical significance of this doctrine connects believers to the assurance of their own salvation and the necessity of persevering in faith within the protective grace found in Christ, mirroring Rahab’s actions during the judgment of Jericho.
Key Quotes
“Faith is not simply believing or believing God for something; faith is believing God's Word, trusting God's revelation.”
“Rahab's faith was not an empty, unfruitful, meaningless profession of faith. She believed God and proved that she believed him by her works of obedience.”
“Just as the Israelites were to stay in their houses while God judged Egypt, so Rahab and her family had to stay in her house while God judged Jericho.”
“Abiding in him, we are safe from the wrath of God. But if you go out of this house, you will perish without mercy.”
What does the Bible say about faith and God's promise?
The Bible emphasizes that faith is not mere belief but a trusting response to God's revelation, illustrated by Rahab's faith in Hebrews 11:31.
Hebrews 11:31, Romans 10:17
How do we know that Rahab's faith was true and not just superstition?
Rahab's faith was evidenced by her actions in protecting God's messengers, proving it was genuine and not merely a belief in magic.
James 2:25, Joshua 2:12-21
Why is the concept of God's promise important for Christians?
God's promise provides assurance of salvation and security for believers, reminding them of His faithfulness.
John 10:28, Romans 8:32-39
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. that...: Or, that were disobedient - Hebrews 11:31Faith and God’s Promise
“By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” Hebrews 11:31
In the movie, Maverick, there is a scene in which a gambler is seen looking at a deck of cards, obviously concentrating as completely as possible. In fact, I thought, “He must be praying for an ace.” When he drew the card and won the bet, he said, “My pappy always told me that if I just believed strongly enough that I could do it, I could draw any card I wanted from the top of the deck.”
Sadly, multitudes think of faith in just that way, as though it is a magical power by which we get what we want from God. Nothing could be further from the truth. Such ideas about faith are nothing more than superstition. Faith is not simply believing, or believing God for something. Faith is believing God’s Word, trusting God’s revelation. Faith is our response to God’s revelation. As it is written, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Rahab’s Faith
Rahab believed God. She is held up before us in faith’s hall of fame, in Hebrews chapter eleven, along side Abraham, Moses, and Joshua, as an eminent example of faith (v. 31). James uses her, side by side with Abraham, as an example of what it means to prove our faith by our works (James 2:25).
Rahab’s faith was not an empty, unfruitful, meaningless profession of faith. She believed God and proved that she believed him by her works of obedience. She believed the report she heard of God’s salvation (2:9-10). Rahab received, cared for, and protected God’s messengers in her home, at the risk of her own life. Believing God, she also sought mercy for her household (2:12-13). Rahab hung everything upon the blood of the covenant represented in that cord hanging from her window. Rahab the harlot so thoroughly believed God that she brought all her family into her house and thus into the pail of grace!
This old harlot, who had been the shame of her family, was made, in the hands of God, the primary instrument and means of eternal salvation to her family. Rahab the harlot, believing God, obtained a place in the family tree of the incarnate Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:1-5). Matthew identifies her as the wife of Salmon (a prince of the tribe of Judah), mother of Boaz, and great-great grandmother of King David.
In the genealogy of our Savior only four women are mentioned. All four of them have a specific taint upon them. Tamar was guilty of incest. Rahab was a harlot. Ruth was a cursed, unclean Moabitess. Bathsheba was an adulteress. Thus, even in his genealogy and birth, our Savior associated himself with sinners. The Son of God came to save sinners.
God’s Promise
Rahab faith was based upon God’s promise. She had the promise of God for her security and the security of her house. If you read Joshua chapter two again (vv. 12-21), you will see that the messengers of God made a solemn promise to Rahab. They said, “You go get your family, bring them into your house, bind this scarlet cord to the window, and stay in the house. And when the Lord gives us this city, “We will deal kindly and truly with thee.’” This is our security, too. We have the promise of God. "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:28; Rom. 8:32-39; 16:20; Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:24; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 5:11-13).
Rahab’s Perseverance
Rahab was saved because she persevered in faith. She stayed in the house. God’s faithful messengers told her that if she went out of the house, she would perish with all the rest of Jericho. There was no safety in any house in the city except in that house protected by the ever-abiding scarlet cord, the house under the ever-abiding protection of the blood. Just as the Israelites were to stay in their houses while God judged Egypt, so Rahab and her family had to stay in her house while God judged Jericho. Even so, you and I must cling to Christ alone. Abiding in him, we are safe from the wrath of God. But if you go out of this house, you will perish without mercy.
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