I shuffle the papers on my desk, looking through the stack of resumes for the next interview of the day. It has already been a long day, as I interviewed one applicant after another for the available positions. I was tasked with finding qualified applicants to complete the team of the lineage of the Messiah. So far today I have spoken to a prophet, a shepherd, and a king. Who is next?
As I read the resume for my next interview, I shake my head in disbelief. Where did these people come from? I am pretty sure that the help wanted ad warned that only qualified people should apply. Who does this lady think she is? I hardly believe that being a prostitute would qualify her for THIS job. Besides, who ever heard of a woman on the team? Well, I better get this over with so I can get out of here for the day.
As Rahab enters my office, I set aside her resume and rise to shake her hand. She has a firm handshake and seems to be quite comfortable with me, even though we are strangers. I ask her to be seated and begin the interview.
Me: Thank you for taking the time to come in for this interview. After reviewing your resume, I just have a couple of questions. Don't worry, this won't take long. So, where are you from?
Rahab: Up until recently I had lived in Jericho my whole life. My entire family is from there.
Me: Oh, well, that might be a problem. You mean that you are not one of the children of Israel?
Rahab: Not originally, no.
Me: What do you mean, "not originally"?
Rahab: Well, I was not born into any of the tribes of Judah, but I live among the Israelites now.
Me: Well, isn't that convenient? In looking through your resume, I see that your prior experience is listed as "prostitute". Is this correct? I don't even want to ask what your duties were. Do you have any other experience? What else have you done?
Rahab: I helped the Israelite spies scope out the city and then escape unharmed.
Me: Why would you do that? Wasn't Jericho your hometown? Whatever would possess you to help out the enemy?
Rahab: I had heard the stories, you know, of all of the wonderful things that their God had done for the Israelites when they left Egypt. I was actually so afraid that I felt as though my heart would melt.
Me: So you helped them out of fear?
Rahab: Oh no, although I admit that I was more afraid than I had ever been in my life. No, the reason that I helped them was because of their God. When I heard the stories of what He had done, I knew that their God is the God of heaven above and on the earth below.
Me: But weren't you afraid of the King of Jericho? I mean, he must have had the power to have you killed. That would have made me very afraid. After all, you can't see the God of the Israelites, but you must have been able to see your king and his messengers.
Rahab: I knew that the God of the Israelites was more powerful than my king, and that He would help the Israelites to conquer us.
Me: How could you know this?
Rahab: I had faith.
Me: Faith?
Rahab: Yes, I had confidence in the power of their God, even though I could not see him. I decided to stick with the winning side!
Me: So what happened next?
Rahab: I helped the spies to escape the city, and in exchange, they saved my life and that of my family when the city fell.
Me: Wow, that is quite a story. However, I need to check out the handbook for the qualifications of this job. I'm pretty sure we are looking for people who are much more important in their previous positions. You are not even an Israelite by birth. Also, your previous job would seem to be a bit questionable. Finally, you are a woman. Hold on while I look this up....
So, I take out the handbook, looking for a reason to tell this applicant that she does not qualify. She certainly does not fit the picture that I had in my mind for the position of ancestor to the Messiah! I turn to the qualfication page and am stunned to see only one word - FAITH.
My mind reels. This is so hard to comprehend. Someone could be given a position this important with just that one qualification?
Me: Rahab, I am pleased to offer you the job as great, great (and so on) grandmother to Christ. As we have discussed in this interview, you were obedient to a God that you did not know, all because of your faith. You had assurance of something you could not see, confidence in what you hoped for. You are indeed a Hero of the Faith.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
