Psalm 89 ~ I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever

Jericho looking southward

Jericho, once a “Biblical problem” a seeming disagreement between archaeology and the Bible. However, now we know the archaeological evidence supports the historical accuracy of the Biblical account in every detail.

Rahab, 3rd great grandmother of David. As the Children of Israel left Egypt and wandered for 40 years, soon they would need help. More than the help of one person. God would have to act.

The Children of Israel did not have lives that pleased them in Egypt and God hears them. Then 40 years later, they finally enter into the Promised Land because they didn't follow the advice of God, but their own fears. So they enter Jericho first. Jericho is the land flowing with milk and honey. It is fabulous, a gorgeous land. They are told how Jericho will fall. It seems absurd and hopeless. And today we see, the Bible has once again, told the Truth.

It seems absurd they would leave Jericho to only guess what was ahead, but faith compelled them to keep going after Promises were fulfilled.

[ According to Bryant G. Wood PhD 

Excavations at the outer (lower) fortification wall by the three major expeditions to Jericho. At the north end (numbers 1–5), a portion of the mud brick wall (shaded) atop the stone retaining wall survived, demonstrating that the city wall did not fall in this area. Nothing remains of the mud brick city wall at other points investigated, showing that it had collapsed everywhere else (numbers 6–13). Remnants of the collapsed city wall (shaded) were actually found still in place in three places at Jericho: number 11 (German excavation), number 12 (Kenyon’s excavation), and the 1997 Italian-Palestinian excavation extending Kenyon’s south trench at number 8.

***According to the Bible, 
Rahab’s house was incorporated into the fortification system (Jos 2:15). If the walls fell, how was her house spared? As you recall, the spies had instructed Rahab to bring her family into her house and they would be rescued. When the Israelites stormed the city, Rahab and her family were saved as promised (Jos 6:17, 22–23). 

At the north end of the tell of Jericho, archaeologists made some astounding discoveries that seem to relate to Rahab.

The German excavation of 1907-1909 found that on the north a short stretch of the lower city wall did not fall as everywhere else. A portion of that mudbrick wall was still standing to a height of 8 ft (Sellin and Watzinger 1973: 58)

What is more, there were houses built against the wall! It is quite possible that this is where Rahab’s house was located.]

Psalm 89 says Rahab was crushed.
This Psalm was published, verified, sung by her 4th great grandson (Solomon) in the Temple. Written by one of his wisest councilors. Truth being told in the LORD'S TEMPLE and trying to honor a story working for the LORD. If you wanted to honor your heroic great, great, great, great grandmother in the Temple of the LORD - how would you delicately refer to her profession and her salvation? Perhaps to point out God is greater and to say she was crushed in her life...

Psalm 89 

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;
in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”
3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever,
and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah

5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly beings[b] is like the Lord,
7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
and awesome above all who are around him?
8 O Lord God of hosts,
who is mighty as you are, O Lord,
with your faithfulness all around you?
9 You rule the raging of the sea;
when its waves rise, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass;
you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

Rahab is told about in Joshua 6

Rahab was a prostitute. God has moved Rahab's life along like Job.

Job 9

10 who does great things beyond searching out,
and marvelous things beyond number.
11 Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not;
he moves on, but I do not perceive him.
12 Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back?
Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’ 13 “God will not turn back his anger;
beneath him bowed the helpers of Rahab.
14 How then can I answer him,
choosing my words with him?
15 Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him;
I must appeal for mercy to my accuser
16 If I summoned him and he answered me,
I would not believe that he was listening to my voice.
17 For he crushes me with a tempest
and multiplies my wounds without cause;
18 he will not let me get my breath,
but fills me with bitterness.
19 If it is a contest of strength, behold, he is mighty!


Rahab might have failed to perceive God. 
Except God was giving her life direction and motivation to want to work God's plan for her life and it fit into His Plan. Who were the helpers of Rahab who made God so angry? Perhaps it is the clientele. God wouldn't have been angry with the two men from Joshua. We see in the passage, Rahab stood over the hidden men of God hidden under the flax of her roof.


Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him

Rahab's actions were that of Joshua. Being brave and courageous. Rahab appears in the second chapter of Joshua. Joshua has just been commissioned by God to do HIS work

Joshua 1:7-8
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Perhaps. Perhaps because Rahab is listed in Matthew 1:4-6...........

and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah

..........we can say Rahab was one of the people who longed to see Jesus and hear Jesus.

Matthew 13:17
For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.


We are telling God's story. We can draw from Job, Joshua, Solomon, Solomon's advisors, David, Rahab, Isaiah and we are telling of flawed people. Doing what they can. Abiding in God, seeing like Paul.

...Philippians 2:19-24 ~ how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord.


Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
16 who exult in your name all the day
and in your righteousness are exalted.
17 For you are the glory of their strength;
by your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to the Lord,
our king to the Holy One of Israel.

You have to be what God wants you to be. Believing what He wants is important. Teaching those around you with genuine care. Being flawed, but going forward in the LIGHT.

Give justice with mercy. Walk humbly with the LORD.

Father God each day draw us more near to you, in Jesus. Let us have your help in going down our path with wisdom, verve and in faith. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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