It doesn't sound quite right, does it, that the Chris­tian church should listen to a prostitute? Of course, she was a converted prostitute, and it is her faith that God wants the Israelites to know about, in order that it may be an encouragement to them and to Christians throughout the ages — also to us in this month of October when we remember the great 16th Century Reformation in western Europe. That Reformation stressed salvation by faith, faith in the great promises of the Word as given to the church. How Luther struggled to live in the faith of this Word and to give the Word back to the common peo­ple. Think of his song, "A Mighty Fortress is our God" emphasizing faith in the Word.

In the setting of the text quoted above Israel is about to enter the land of promise, Canaan. This has been their goal for these many years. It is the land of the promise of grace, and therefore not merited. Wasn't Canaan the cursed son of Ham? How will Israel now acquire this land of the cursed one? Only by the promises of grace. But even then Israel has to fight for it, as they did against the Amalekites, Amorites, Sihon, Og and others. But even in their fighting their main weapon has to be confidence-in God's promised grace, not in their own ingenuity, or wisdom, or mere brute strength.

This is also the way in which the Christian church must always live. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith in God's unfailing promises to His people. We have responsibilities, which, of course, can only be assumed by grace. But we have to assume them, nevertheless. The church is to be a militant church at all times, waging war against the powers of evil both outside and inside of the church. She has to practice what she sings, "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus, Ye Soldiers of the Cross" and "Onward Chris­tian Soldiers, Marching as to War." In these battles she must constantly learn to trust in God's promises alone, as given in the Word. She has to live by the Word.

Israel is now ready to enter the land of Canaan in full battle array. The first object of attack will be the stronghold of Jericho, with its well-nigh impreg­nable walls. In order to obtain all the information they can, they send out spies. The spies must try to discover where the strength and weakness of the enemies lie, and where they may be most easily at­tacked. The spies, having entered the city, naturally want to remain unnoticed. And so they go to the house of a prostitute, a "public" house. If anybody has seen them enter her house they will surely con­clude that they were some "customers" for this woman. We know the history, how she hid them under the thatched roof of her house, protected them when the police of the city of Jericho came to her house, and how she later let them down the wall to escape. But before they were let down the wall Rahab had gone to them on the roof of the house and given them her testimony of faith. "I know that the Lord has given this land to you" she affirms to them. These spies who, no doubt, are afraid knowing that their lives are in great danger, hear from this woman the calm assurance that the Lord will be with them and the people of Israel. Surely, this is the "last" thing these men expect. These are the ways of the Lord, who often does wondrous things.

After a few days the spies return to Israel on the other side of the Jordan. With what kind of report? Information about the city, the army, the strong­holds and the fortified walls? Nothing of the kind. They have only one report, the faith of Rahab, with all her convictions and courage, the faith that said, "I know." Also the information that the fear of Israel had fallen upon the people of Jericho and that their hearts were melting away.

It is this kind of report that God wants His people to hear, the report of faith that said, "I know." And the people of the covenant must hear it from an out­sider.

All this speaks volumes to all of us. The true Chris­tian church is today, as always, a militant church. We're on the way to the heavenly Canaan. But all the way we have obstacles to overcome and enemies to face. Often they seem to be overwhelming, and the cause of the church seems to be weak. Many peo­ple are deeply concerned today, also in the Christian Reformed denomination. There is danger that we proceed and live with the principle of the spies of Israel; we begin to rationalize, make calculations, ap­proach problems only with human reasoning, rely on our own strength and let our feelings be controlled by the way we see and understand particular prob­lems and situations. The church is troubled by fears, worries and unbelief. Through all the ages the Lord gives to the church the testimony of Rahab. She believed what God had said to Israel and that He was going to do what He had said.

Do you think you can listen to and learn something from her? We surely should. We must trust that the cause of God in Christ will always prosper, because His promises are given to His people. He will save those who live by faith in Him and His Word. That was the testimony of Rahab — and the message of the Reformation.

The converted Rahab surely had only fragmen­tary knowledge of what it means to be saved by grace, and of the basic principles of God's great mer­cies and forgiving love.

The Scriptures, however, not only speak about her faith and trust in the work of the Lord, but also of her activity of faith. In Hebrews 11 she is listed with the heroes of faith. James in his epistle also speaks of her. He does this in connection with the subject of faith and good works, setting forth the idea that true faith also is accompanied by works. As proof he quotes two people, Abraham and Rahab. James could have mentioned dozens of other Old Testament saints. Besides Abraham, the father of all believers, he cites only this "outsider." Matthew also mentions Rahab, as the mother of Boaz, which tells us that she became one of the blessed ancestors of Christ. How would we like to have a converted prostitute as one of our ancestors? The Lord Jesus does. Don't "pull up" your nose at that. That's what the Pharisees did. The church of Christ is "made up" of people who are sinners saved by grace alone and confirm this faith in the Lord with love and works of faith.

Rahab has a very important place in the Bible as a saved sinner, with a genuine faith in God's great program of saving His people, and with works that proved her faith.

It is this great truth that was reemphasized in the Reformation. Faith in the Word and promises, faith in being saved only by grace and with works that follow as proof of this faith. Many of our Reforma­tion fathers showed that they had this faith, and many of them sealed their confession of it with their own blood.

Today we still sing about them, in the words: "Faith of our Fathers, living still in spite of dungeon, fire and sword." The song and memory should speak to us in an age of lethargy, lack of interest in spiritual matters, and complacency. People who have the faith of Rahab and our Reformation fathers compose the real church of Jesus Christ. It is that kind of people that the Lord will use to build His church until the end of time. That kind of church God will always bless.

And isn't it interesting that we read that Rahab received these spies with peace. The people of Jericho are terribly upset, their hearts melting with fear, we read. But Rahab, who "risked" her life and surely would have been killed had she been discovered, with her faith and its resulting work, had peace and calmness of soul. What a blessing on that kind of trust and activity! But then, that's what the Lord always gives where that kind of faith is found.