This week we continue our new sermon series on “Misused Stories of the Bible.”  We’ll be looking at a number of famous Bible stories that are often misinterpreted … and misinterpreted to such an extent that we miss the real meaning of the story.  It’s interesting because one of the stories I use in my preaching class at Reformed Theological Seminary, as an example of HOW NOT TO PREACH these Old Testament stories, is the famous story of “Rahab and Her Rope.”  And that’s our passage for this Sunday, Joshua, chapter 2. 

Now, commonly, and incorrectly, many people have read this story and focused in on the rope.  We’re told it was a “scarlet cord” and it’s easy to make the jump from the red cord to the red blood of Christ.  And we call that “leapfrogging to Golgotha” — which means you take something in this story that sounds similar to something in Jesus’ story and make up a connection between the two.  However, sometimes a rope is just a rope.  In reality, it’s a story about two spies, an undeserving woman, the God who connects them, and how both the spies and the woman respond in faith.

We saw last week that the story of Cain revolved around faith – Abel had it, Cain didn’t.  And this week, we’ll see the story of Rahab revolve around faith.  And to be honest, many of the stories in this series are going to revolve around people being put in situations that demand them to exercise faith in God.  Because, ultimately, they’re all about the relationship of our Sovereign God with His Chosen People.  And He doesn’t always choose the same people we would choose.  Rahab is a prime example of that.  Sometimes we’re an example of that too.  So, I’m guessing that you’ll find this story of faith to be very different, and very interesting, and perhaps even a little colorful.  I look forward to hearing what you think about “Rahab and Her Rope.”  See you Sunday, Dr. Dave

P.S. – If you haven’t signed up for a Community Group yet, please do so soon on Realm.  Groups will be starting up this month!