New Beginnings

New Beginnings

Most of us associate the New Year with a chance to start over, a time for resolutions, or another opportunity to get things rights. The Bible contains many accounts of God giving people a fresh start. Let’s look at one example.

Three Strikes – Are you out?

1st Strike: Prostitute – A forbidden way of life.

• Leviticus 19:29 Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness. 

2nd Strike: Canaanite – A people under a death sentence from God.

• Deuteronomy 20:16-17 But of the cities of these people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: 17 But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee: 

3rd Strike: Resident of Jericho – The first city in the Promised Land captured and destroyed.

• Joshua 6:21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. 

Who are we talking about? Rahab, the harlot from Jericho.

• Joshua 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. 

Joshua had sent two spies into Jericho to evaluate the situation before the Nation of Israel invaded. Why did the spies stay with a prostitute? The bible doesn’t say exactly why, but we can reason that Rahab’s home was a convenient place to observe what was going on and to get away quickly if needed (the Bible does tell us her house was in the wall of the city) and because she was a prostitute, strangers coming into her home would not be expected to raise suspicion.

Despite her lifestyle and circumstances, Rahab had come to faith in God. She had heard about the parting of the Red Sea. She had heard of Israel’s previous military victories. Scripture clearly declares her faith in God.

• Joshua 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. 
• Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 

And what were the results of her faith in God?

• Her family was saved! 
• Joshua 6:23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. 
• She became an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ!!! 
• Ruth 4:21-22 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David. 
• Matthew 1:5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 

Note: Don’t let the different spellings for Rahab and Boaz confuse you. This is very common due to the Old and New Testaments being translated from Hebrew (primarily) and Greek, respectively.

God has used (and will use) the most unlikely people in the most incredible ways. A Canaanite prostitute from Jericho became an ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ because of her faith in God and making the right decisions when God gave her the opportunity.

Our God loves us with an amazing love. He wants us to have faith in Him. He gives us the opportunity to make the right choices and experience His blessings. Make a new beginning. Trust Him. Allow God to use you for His Kingdom purposes.

If you are a Christian that has fallen away, run back to God’s arms. If you have never accepted Christ as your savior, find a Christian to show you scripture (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8 and 10:9-10) and explain the meaning of the prayer below. Then pray for God to save you by His grace. Find a Bible believing church in your area. Get involved! Serve God with all your heart.

Prayer for Salvation (The Ultimate New Beginning)

• Jesus, I know that I am a sinner that needs a new beginning. I understand that my sin has separated me from You. I believe that You (God) came to earth and lived a sinless life as a man (Christ) so You could die on a cross to pay the debt for my sins. I understand and believe that You rose from the dead to defeat death and bear witness to eternal life in Heaven. Father, I beg You to forgive my sins, I accept and confess You as Lord and Savior of my life. Come into my heart. I want to be Your child. I trust and accept You. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

Closing Prayer

• Father, no matter where we are in our walk, we all fall short of the perfection You demand. I thank You that through Your Son Jesus, we can be made perfect in Your sight. I confess the sin in my life and ask You to wash me clean. I am so thankful for the many new beginnings You have provided as You continue to transform my life. I love You and praise You. In the name of Christ, Amen.