Journey to Christmas With the Midwives of the Messiah

by Sharon W. Betters

TODAY’S TREASURE

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 62: 1-2 ESV

Dear Friends,

Rahab joins us on our Journey to Christmas and she immediately introduces us to a colorful, dramatic, and eye widening story of sex, war and redemption. God plucked Rahab out of a culture steeped in numerous other gods and sexual perversion. In her life we see a woman totally transformed by her trust in the God of Israel. Her remarkable response to the plea of the Israelite spies to help them stuns us, knowing the price she would pay if caught. Later we will welcome Ruth, the Moabitess, on our journey and we will see a similar response to God’s faithfulness. Both women turned their backs on everything they knew and chose to trust the God of Israel with all of their lives. Both women must choose to trust God to make a way for them into a tight knit ethnic community that viewed outsiders with suspicion.

However, I imagine the suspicion toward Rahab trumped any suspicion Ruth experienced. Rahab, a beautiful, strong-willed, colorful Middle Eastern woman, turns from the wickedness of her people and turns toward the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Let’s learn from this midwife of the Messiah!

Treasured by Him,

Sharon

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT

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Get to know Rahab through reading: Matthew 1:1-6, Hebrews 11:31, Joshua 1-2

Read Chapter 2: Harlots and Heroines, The Midwives of the Messiah

Listen: Harlots and Heroines – Rahab, which can be found on the MARKINC.org website under “In His Grip.”

Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.

Contact Sharon with comments or questions at d ailytreasure@markinc.org.