When did a Canaanite prostitute show more faith than a Jewish man?

God said that all nations of the world would be blessed through Abraham. (Genesis 12:1-3)

Within the Jewish story of the Hebrew Scriptures are pictures of God reaching out to Gentiles. A Jewish slave girl led Naaman, the Syrian general, to the prophet Elisha who healed his leprosy and brought him closer to the true God (2 Kings 5). Jonah was sent to Nineveh, the stronghold of the hated Assyrians. The Queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s wisdom and came from Africa (1 Kings 10). Ruth came from the cursed Moabites to become the ancestor of David, the line of Jewish kings and ultimately Messiah.

Rahab

The exodus from Egypt and conquest of the Promised Land forty years later showed God’s victory over the false gods of Egypt and Canaan. In this powerful demonstration of the greatness of the God who remembered and kept his covenant with Abraham is the story of Rahab the Canaanite prostitute. (Joshua 2; 6; 7)

Achan

She was put in contrast with Achan, a Jewish man who had no concept of the character, power, and desires of God.

She was a Canaanite prostitute and he was from the tribe of Judah, the tribe of David and Jesus.

She and her family should have died but survived and prospered. He and his family should have prospered but died.

Her nation died without her. His nation prospered without him.

She hid spies from her king on her roof. He hid loot from his God under his tent.

She heard about the God of Israel and feared him. He saw God’s miracles and did not fear him.

The thread hung from her window was the same color as the blood on the posts at Passover.

She lived and was listed as a hero of the faith in Hebrews, chapter 11. He died and his name became a symbol of destruction.

Do you ever fail to live up to your spiritual potential?

When have you been surprised by the spiritual successes of others?

In this post I have been influenced by the observations of Duvall and Hays. Grasping God’s Word. 2001, page 298.