Ode to a Patriarch and a Prostitute.
- Christine DiGiacomo
- 5 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Your Defining Moment.
We all have them - opportunities when the course of life is altered.
podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/1feecab4/ode-to-a-patriarch-and-a-prostitute-james-no10
Enter the patriarch and the prostitute, and their defining moments...
James writes of their great faith in God that led both to make big, obedient choices. "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. James 2.21-26
When we read about the life of Abraham, we recall that he was a sinner just like you and me; he grew tired of waiting for God to make good on His promise of 'making him into a great nation' and took matters into his own hands. Enter Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maid, with whom he had relations and produced Ishmael; and through Ishmael's line, Islam. In time, God did indeed make good on his promise to Abraham, and gave him a son, Isaac, at the age of 100. But then, of all things, God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22)1, and in obedience, Abraham took his teen-aged son, bound him and laid him on the altar...but, then God provided a ram instead.
*Something important to note here:
the Bible does not leave out the unsavory or sinful parts of people,
not even the heroes of the faith---
We call it The Realness Factor - another evidence for the truth of Scripture
--Entrance Stage Left--->Rahab. Yes, you read that correctly above--Rahab practiced the world’s oldest illicit profession in what was probably the world’s oldest city, Jericho, living along the city wall. Jericho was established nearly 6,000 years before Moses came and has been excavated at least four different times, starting in the 1800s. (fascinating evidence for those who want historical proofs of the Bible’s accuracy)
After the death of Moses, the new leader of the Israelites, Joshua, sent out spies to check out the land; the king of Jericho learned about it and sent his henchmen to take care of the spies. Rahab hid them, and exacted a promise that when Israel conquered Jericho, her and her family would be spared.2 That was Rahab's defining moment. Joshua kept his promise to her when the city was conquered > Joshua 6.
Have you ever had a "defining moment" like these two -- when it comes to faith in God? You see, I believe that every one of us gets visits from God, opportunities to reach out for him, and change the course of our lives forever. Each time, we decide which direction we will go. Sometimes, a defining moment comes at a time of great difficulty, such as terminal disease. Some even turn to God for a time--and then afterward, when things are well again, we marvel at modern science, forgetting God. (I've seen this quite a few times; we pray like crazy for someone to be healed, and God is gracious; then the person credits something else. My heart aches for God, when it happens. What - you don't think God feels, has emotions? hmmm) Sometimes it is the tragedies of life that wake us up and make us search out truth->purpose->God.
Take my dear friend, Sandy, whose daughter was murdered by her son-in-law. When she was standing in the morgue touching her lifeless daughter, she cried out to God to come . . . and. He. did. This was her defining moment. Sandy has never turned around since, but has continued to seek Him and grow her faith. Choices.
Other times, God visits us as the ‘top of our games’ when we know inside we are still made for something more, and we realize that something more is God.
We reach out for him,
we reach out for that wooing of the Holy One,
and that becomes our Defining Moment.
But always we make the choice.
Rahab had a choice; she saw what was ahead for her family, and she chose well. In her defining moment, she chose to protect God's people, to align herself with them--and her faith changed her life. Because of her faithfulness, Rahab was grafted into the genealogy of Jesus Christ--check out Matthew chapter 1 . . . amazing! Then she was listed in the Hall of Faith located in Hebrews 11--again commended for her faith.3
God is so very gracious in his grace toward us.
Some of you who are reading this now are presently faced with a choice. What will be your defining moment with Jesus Christ? Oh, you will have one--as for when . . . well, that depends on you. Remember earlier in this chapter two, James said 'even the demons believe'--there must be action on that belief. Religion isn't satisfactory--no, it is a man-made construct and will only disappoint. In fact, so many people have blamed God because of 'the church' and have walked away from God.
But hear me--ultimately, our greatest Defining Moment is when we realize we were made for God, and enter into a personal relationship with him because of Jesus Christ.
Yesterday I attended an event in downtown Raleigh to support my friend, Timothy, who was the keynote speaker. This was not a joyous occasion by any means. Each of the hundreds who attended had a loved one who had been murdered. On his 27th birthday, Timothy's son had been killed in a restaurant by a gang member. But surely, Timothy's defining moment, or at least one of them, was yesterday when he thanked his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for saving him and for being there in the darkest night of his life. In speaking out that truth, Timothy extended the hope of Christ to all who heard him.4
God has stepped into your path today - hello, do you see him, do you hear him? He wants you to know him and love him. He wants you to know the meaning and purpose found in him alone. He wants to forgive your sins/your wrongs and set you free...make you a new person. Only God can do such a thing. I implore you: ask God to come into your life, or maybe come back into your life, if you have been distant from him for a while. This is your defining moment. ['Need help with that? Hit reply and I will help you.]
Whether your name is Abraham or Rahab, Do not let this moment pass you by.
Christine
James, no.10
1 - Genesis 22.1-19: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2022.1-19&version=ESV
3 - Hebrews 11.31: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011.31&version=ESV
4 - North Carolina Victims Assistance Network - Memorial Garden - The Brick Dedication Ceremony was so honoring. www.ncvan.org
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