Mousetales - PROMISES KEPT

All the people of Israel knew that they would soon enter the land of Canaan. God promised to give them that land many years before, and now it was time to enter the Promised Land.

Joshua was the new leader of Israel after Moses died. Joshua wanted to know more about the Promised Land and especially more about the big walled city of Jericho which was just on the other side of the Jordan River. Joshua sent two of his soldiers into Jericho to spy out the land. They were to check out Jericho and come back and give a report to Joshua.

Rahab lived a sinful life in the city of Jericho. She did not believe in God, and she did not try to please Him with the way she lived. Rahab continued to do the things that were pleasing to her.

Suddenly, there was a knock at her door. The two spies were standing before her. Rahab invited them into her home, but somehow she knew that there was going to be trouble if the two men were spotted. Rahab quickly decided to hide the two spies on her rooftop. She did this just in time . . . .

There was another knock on her door. This time it was the soldiers from the King. The two spies had been spotted in their city, and the King demanded that they be brought to him. Rahab knew the spies would be in great trouble if they were taken to the King, so she decided to lie to the King's soldiers. She said, "The two men were here, but I do not know where they are now. Hurry and run after them. You will be able to catch them." The soldiers believed Rahab's lie and hurried on their way.

Rahab then returned to the rooftop where the spies were safely hiding. She said to the spies, "I know your God is the God of Heaven and Earth. He has given you our land. Promise me something . . . since I have shown kindness to you, promise me you'll show kindness to me and my family, too, when you take our city." Rahab wanted the spies from Israel to promise that she and her family would be safe when the soldiers from Israel destroyed Jericho.

The two spies said, "Our lives for yours." They made a promise to Rahab that she and her family would be safe when Israel took the land of Jericho AS LONG AS Rahab made them a promise. They wanted her to promise not to tell their business. They didn't want anyone else to know what they were doing. Rahab promised, "Let it be just as you have said." They told Rahab to tie a red cord in her window as a sign of their promise to each other.

First, God promised to give the people of Israel the land of Canaan. Did God keep His promise? YES - the people of Israel crossed over the Jordan River, defeated Jericho, and moved into the Promised Land.

Second, the two spies promised Rahab that she and her family would be protected from destruction when the people of Israel took the city of Jericho. Did the spies keep their promise? YES - the soldiers saw the red cord in Rahab's window, so she and all her family were saved from destruction. They were brought safely out of the city.

The third promise made was by Rahab to the spies. Rahab promised not to tell their business or what they were doing in the city. Did Rahab keep her promise? YES - she didn't tell what the spies were doing and actually helped them escape from Jericho safely.

People do not always keep the promises they make, but GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES. One promise God makes is that He will save you from your sins and give you life that lasts forever in Heaven if you accept Jesus as your Savior. Have you ever done that? Have you trusted in Jesus to be your Savior from sin?

The Bible says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Believing on the Lord Jesus means believing that He died on the cross and gave His precious blood to pay for your sins and that He rose again. If you believe this and place your trust on Jesus, GOD PROMISES that He will save you from your sin.

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If you have any questions about this Mousetales story or if you want to talk further about receiving Jesus as your Savior, please e-mail Miss Missy at cef-cm@bwkip.com

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Mousetales is a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Columbia-Montour Counties, PA.