A Way Out

Out of a Window

8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea [c] for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. [d] 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 12 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death."

14 "Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land."

15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. 16 Now she had said to them, "Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way."

17 The men said to her, "This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear."

21 "Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. -Joshua 2:8-21

This passage describes when Rahab, a Jericho woman, found two Israelite spies and hid them in her home. When we first read this, we might think- "Great story! This is the stuff detective stories are made of." But, let's think about those spies, put ourselves in their shoes. They weren't planning on getting caught. They were in a really tight spot. Two guys, against the whole Jericho army? They never would've stood a chance. What were they going to do? In this instance, God lowered them out of the window. They were in a really tough situation, and they got out of it. Not with fanfare or grand miracles, but a simple pact with a Jericho woman and a scarlet cord let out of the window.

Sometimes we're in tough situations, and maybe we're looking for a door to open and let us out easily... but maybe instead God is lowering us down a window. It's not a glamorous way to get out of a tight spot, but it works just the same... and isn't it fitting from a God who teaches humility?


Out of the Tomb

1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"
4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "

8Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Unlike the former account, this is an account of a way "out." However, I don't think it's as much about Jesus' way out as our way out. Jesus was coming back into the world, not for Himself, but to prove the "way out" that He gave to all of us. For Him, I'm sure He was happier in heaven surrounded by angels, sitting on His throne. He came to proclaim what He had done, to show that He had died for their sins... that they were forgiven. That Jesus had provided their "way out."

Jesus is our ultimate "way out" of tough situations, although sometimes it's difficult to remember that. If we can go back to a kingdom perspective, in the whole grand scheme of things, including the earth and everything around it, we will recognize that we have no troubles too big, no burden too heavy, nothing that is too great for Him, nothing that He hasn't already provided for or taken care of. Will we have troubles? Certainly. Will some of us lack things? Sure. (You will always have the poor.) But one thing, the most important thing, that we will never lack is the promise of eternal life through Jesus... a way out of our sins.


Out of this World

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. —Proverbs 31:30

While this verse may not seem to relate much at first, I had to include it. It was in the ODB reflection this morning, and it was a verse I needed to hear. I feel like there are a whole lot of expectations for brides... one of which is that you are supposed to look "stunning," "beautiful," etc on your wedding day. So much so that even I am getting nervous- feeling the pressure to look my best. Well, this is one girl that's happy there will be 11 other gorgeous people to take the attention off of me, especially adorable Flower Princess Sylvia. And quite honestly right now I don't as beautiful as a "blushing bride" is supposed to be. I admit it's probably partly because Brad's been sick lately, and it's hard for me to go a week without a kiss and still feel beautiful.

But God is faithful and provides a "way out" in a metaphorical sense from the traps that society lays for us- the traps of vanity and beauty and charm. God says, "These are passing. Focus instead on what can't be destroyed... the fear of the Lord." God's faithful to provide a way out of all difficult situations, although we might have to look for alternative points of departure (a window), broaden our view to a kingdom perspective (the tomb) or think metaphorically (the world).