[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during February 2026]
And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.
Joshua 2 v1 [ESVUK]
Is it not a little curious that these two men should choose such a place for their overnight stay? Surely, it is not what we would expect from men who were undertaking a mission from God.
Matthew Henry, the prominent 17th century preacher and writer, offered an explanation in his renowned Bible commentary, suggesting that Rahab’s reputation related to her previous lifestyle, now renounced in favour of providing a lodging house for travellers.[1] Be that as it may, the Bible records that her interaction with the spies demonstrated her belief in God, in the midst of an alien community.[2]
God often chooses people whom we would consider to be ill-equipped for the task in hand. Of course, he can use the skills that we have but he is more interested in our availability. It is a common adage that God does not call those who are equipped but that he equips those who are willing to serve him.
In a similar manner, God often prepares or pre-positions people in places where they will able to contribute to his purposes. The story of Esther is one such example, where she was able to rescue the Jewish nation from those who set out to destroy them.
And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther 4 v14 [ESVUK]
Another example is that of Joseph who was pre-positioned in the court of Pharaoh, ready to save his extended family from famine despite their previous hostility. Joseph recognised that God had prepared him before the need to help arose.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50 v20 [NIVUK]
Later we see another graduate of the Pharaonic school, Moses, whose earlier experiences of the royal court gave him the confidence to argue with Pharaoh and thereby save the Hebrew nation from slavery.
Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.
Acts 7 v21-22 [NIVUK]
These four, otherwise different, people had one characteristic in common. Their experiences had prepared for the task that God had for them and they were also willing to carry it out.
As you look back on your own experiences of God’s intervention in your life, can you see how he has been preparing you for what he is asking of you. Are you willing to do things his way?
References:
[1] see Matthew Henry’s commentary on Joshua 2.
[2] Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys