The Jordan River Rules: Week 4

We are thrilled to have you join us! Every Tuesday morning at 9:00, now until August 6, we'll gather for a Summer Book Club-Style Bible Study. As a community of like-minded followers of Jesus Christ, we'll share our journeys, support each other, and find encouragement together.

Our focus will be on studying 10 God-given strategies for moving forward, as outlined in "The Jordan River Rules." Each week, we’ll explore one rule and discuss it in the comment section. If you haven't yet grabbed the book, you can get your copy here.

Can't make it on Tuesday mornings at 9:00? No problem! You can participate anytime during the week at your convenience. Simply read the week’s chapter and the corresponding blog post, then join the discussion in the comments. Don’t forget to invite a friend to join us! We look forward to growing together in faith!

​WEEK 4: Find Someone to Help Along the Way

“Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them.” Joshua 2:14

Threads of Kindness—Lessons from Rahab's Crimson Cord: In the ancient city of Jericho, two young Israeli spies embarked on a perilous mission, moving stealthily through the bustling streets like leopards on the prowl. Their destination—the imposing walls of Jericho. As they observed the city's activities, they discerned the never-ending parade of people, animals, and wagons—life in Jericho, oblivious to the impending change.
 
Rahab's Harlot House—A Haven in the Darkness: In the midst of the city's moral decline and impending doom, the spies sought refuge in a place where visiting men wouldn't raise eyebrows—a brothel. Little did they know that in this seemingly disreputable establishment, they would find an unexpected ally. Rahab, a harlot, had heard rumors of the Israelites and yearned to know their God. Providence guided them to her house, a place seemingly beyond redemption.
 
Acts of Kindness in Unlikely Places: As the officers traced the spies, Rahab, risking her life, hid them on her roof beneath bundles of flax. In a poignant moment of trust and vulnerability, she expressed her faith in the God of Israel and sought assurance for the safety of her family. The spies instructed her to tie a crimson rope to the window, marking her house for deliverance when Jericho fell.
 
Helping Along the Way—A Timeless Mission: This encounter teaches a timeless lesson—amidst dangerous missions and uncertain paths, there are opportunities to receive and give help. Rahab, a prostitute, and the Israeli spies exchanged acts of kindness that rippled through history. Rahab's descendants include Boaz, Ruth, Jesse, and ultimately, Jesus Christ. The smallest acts of kindness during a perilous mission changed the course of history.

Legacy of Leftovers—A Quilter's Wisdom: The narrative takes a contemporary turn with a story of an unknown quilter, whose remnants, carefully cut and colorful, were left untouched for decades. In the midst of the pandemic, these remnants became the legacy of face masks, crafted by the quilter's granddaughter, a nurse treating COVID patients. A life's assortment of squares found a meaningful purpose in unexpected times.
 
Every Act of Kindness Matters: The stories of Rahab and the unknown quilter echo Aesop's wisdom: "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." Acts of kindness, like a smile, an encouraging note, or a simple gesture, become threads that weave through the fabric of humanity. Each act, no matter how seemingly insignificant, holds the potential to create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate understanding.
 
The Crimson Cord—A Symbol of Ultimate Kindness: The crimson cord tied to Rahab's window becomes a powerful symbol—a representation of the saving blood of Jesus Christ. This scarlet rope of deliverance echoes the redemptive theme woven throughout the Bible, from the Passover lamb to the cross. The precious blood of Christ, symbolized by the crimson cord, becomes the ultimate act of kindness, offering salvation, healing, and redemption.
 
A Call to Help Someone Along the Way: As we navigate the uncertainties of our journeys, let's be attentive to the souls placed in our pathways. Just as Rahab helped the spies, and the quilter's remnants became face masks, our acts of kindness, no matter how small, can shape destinies. In the name of Jesus, let's commit to helping someone along the way—creating a legacy of kindness that echoes into eternity.

In the end, Rahab's story reminds us that a life hemmed in kindness will never unravel, and the crimson cord of salvation continues to weave its way through the tapestry of human history.

“As we move into the upcoming stages in our lives, we need to receive and give help, and that’s part of our mission. God, in His providence, puts souls in our pathways, and we’ll find even a small act of kindness creates a ripple that, as time goes by, affects many and takes on a life of its own. ...You never know when the smallest acts of kindness will yield some of the biggest surprises in history. So find someone to help along the way! ...Our lives are not simply a mishmash of loose threads; they are preplanned and precious. Our deeds echo into the future, even beyond our own span of days.” —Robert Morgan

"Rahab's descendants include Boaz, Ruth, Jesse, and ultimately, Jesus Christ. The smallest acts of kindness during a perilous mission changed the course of history." How does Rahab's story in Jericho inspire you to consider the profound impact of small acts of kindness?

Read The Jordan River Rules: Week 5 here.

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