A
thought by Mark Batterson (2016-09-06) from his book, Chase the Lion: If Your Dream Doesn't Scare You, It's Too Small (Kindle
Location 533). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to
Amazon.com to buy the book.)
Mark gives a
great illustration of this thought. He
says, “The Battle of Jericho ranks as one of the most significant turning
points in the Jewish storyline. It was the first victory in the Promised Land,
but the key to victory was an act of kindness. And that act of kindness is the
key to your salvation. When the Israelites sent two spies into Jericho to do
reconnaissance, they were nearly captured. It was a prostitute named Rahab who
saved their lives by risking hers. Harboring Jewish spies was akin to treason.
So before helping them escape, Rahab cut a deal. She simply asked them to
return the favor: ‘Please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness
to my family, because I have shown kindness to you.’ (Joshua 2:12) Rahab was
thinking exclusively of her immediate family. It was a present-tense request,
but it had future-tense ramifications.”
He goes on, “By
showing kindness to Rahab, those Jewish spies were also showing kindness to her
great-great-grandson David. That one act of kindness had a ripple effect across
nations and generations. According to rabbinic tradition, Rahab was one of the
four most beautiful women in Scripture. The other three were Sarai, Abigail,
and Esther. And according to tradition, Rahab converted to Judaism at the age
of fifty. She fell in love with Salmon, a Jewish man from the tribe of Judah.
They had a son named Boaz, who had a son named Obed, who had a son named Jesse,
who had a son named David.”
Later Mark finishes the story, “When it comes to the ripple effect, Rahab is exhibit A. She wasn’t just
King David’s great-great-grandmother. She’s also listed in the genealogy of
Jesus. It might sound like a stretch, but one act of kindness had something to
do with your salvation. If Rahab hadn’t saved the lives of the spies, and if
the spies hadn’t saved the life of Rahab, she would have missed the opportunity
to be part of the line and lineage of Jesus. That line and lineage would have
been cut off eighteen generations before His birth in Bethlehem. You’re a
secondary beneficiary of that act of kindness!”
So what act of kindness has had a ripple effect in your life?
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