The Voice in the Wilderness


Series: 20-2021

One’s Beginning Does Not Determine His End

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. (Luke 12:15)



One is often tempted to think that one’s early life and family background determine the richness of a person’s latter life. There is no doubt that someone’s early childhood environment and upbringing will often impact upon and determine that person’s values and way of life in the latter years of life. Many values that we often hold on to dearly in our adult life in most cases were taught and passed down to us by our parents: which we in turn are passing down to our children and grandchildren. GOD expects that parents train and bring up their children in the biblical standard way (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). The Bible says in Proverbs 22:16 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”



There are however instances where the children of godly parents do not exactly follow the lifestyles of their parents. Solomon the son of David did not serve GOD with the whole of his heart as David his father (1 Kings 11:6-13). Hezekiah was a lovely and GOD-fearing king but his son Manasseh was the worst of all the kings of Judah (2 Kings 18:1-3; 2 Kings 20:21; 21:1-4, 10-13). From the foregoing, it is not entirely our godly family background that determines who we become in our adult life, we as individuals play a pivotal role in determining who we become and what legacy we intend to leave behind after we are long gone.



We shall in this message be considering two bible characters, Rahab and Ruth. Incidentally both of them were women, they were not of Jewish origin and both of them were mentioned in the genealogy of JESUS CHRIST in Matthew chapter 1.

1. Who was Rahab?

Rahab was the professional prostitute who hid the two spies sent by Joshua to spy the city of Jericho (Joshua 2:1-4). This woman who although was a harlot trusted in the LORD GOD of Israel for her deliverance and those of her family at the time Jericho and all its inhabitants was destroyed by Israel (Joshua 2:8-13; 6:17, 21-23). GOD granted her request and turned her life around. He gave her a place among the heroes of faith as can be seen in Hebrews 11:31 “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”



This woman who was once a prostitute had the honour of being mentioned in Matthew 1:5 as one of the women whose son was one of the fore-fathers of JESUS (in terms of CHRIST’s humanity): “Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab…” (Christian Standard Bible (CSB). This passage indicates that Rahab later got married to Salmon and gave birth to a son whose name was Boaz. Our GOD is a gracious and loving Father! Halleluiah!



2. Ruth the Moabitess

Ruth the Moabitess was the daughter in law of Naomi whose husband Mahlon was the son of Naomi (Ruth 4:10). Mahlon (Ruth’s husband), his brother Chilion and their father Elimelech (Naomi’s husband) had died in the land of Moab. Naomi had left the country of Moab to go back to Israel, because “the LORD had visited His people” and had given them bread (Ruth 1:6). Naomi’s two daughters in law (both of whom were Moabitesses) had insisted on going back to Israel with their mother in law. Naomi however tried to discourage them from going back to Israel with her. While Naomi’s other daughter in law Orpah heeded to her mother in law’s advice and “went back unto her people and unto her gods”, Ruth on the other hand, clave to her mother in law and resolved to go back to Israel with her because she has come to trust on the GOD of Israel (Ruth 1:16-18; 2:11-12).



The GOD of Israel did not fail Ruth. He visited her and gave a husband named Boaz (the son of Rahab) and blessed the marriage with a baby boy named Obed (Ruth 4:13-17). Obed was the father of Jesse, Jesse was the father of David the king. Ruth was therefore the great-grand mother of David, while Rahab was the great-great- grand mother of David. This is the reason both gentile women were mentioned in the chapter of JESUS’ genealogy in Matthew 1.



Also, there is a book in the bible named after this exceptional daughter in law of Naomi, called the book of Ruth. Brethren, GOD changes the situations of those who put their trust in Him. The Bible says in Psalm 30:5 “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Halleluiah!



My dear brother and sister, you may be thinking that your situation is such a hopeless one which can never be remedied. Be reminded that GOD is a GOD of turnaround. The GOD Who turned the lives of these two women around has not changed (Hebrews 13:. Out of the ashes of these women came forth beauties; GOD gave them oil instead of mourning and garments of praise instead of heaviness of heart and despair (Isaiah 61:5).



Are you at that point of despair such that you are contemplating suicide? My dear brother and sister do not go that way. Kill such thoughts. Believe GOD for a turnaround. Look up to Him. Take delight in the LORD. Trust Him and He shall grant you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4-5). Cast all your cares upon Him; for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)



We have a GOD Who “makes crooked paths to be straight; rough edges smooth; mountains and hills levelled and valleys filled.” He through these mighty deeds reveals His glory (Isaiah 40:4-5; Luke 3:5-6). The GOD Who brings water out of the rock; Who makes a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert also restores hope unto the hopeless (Exodus 17:5-6; Isaiah 43:19-20).



Do not allow your past me dear brother and sister to hinder your present and by implication your future. As we gleaned through the lives of these two women, they never allowed their respective pasts to affect their present and that is the reason they ended gloriously. Allowing your past to affect your present will hinder you from being whom GOD has ordained you to be. The LORD says in Isaiah 43:18-19 “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth…”



Conclusion

These two women were gentiles and worshipped strange gods at the initial stages of their lives, there however came up a time in the history of their lives when they denounced the strange gods that they worshipped to embrace the LORD GOD of Israel. It is not about how we started or who our parents are or were or about family ties etc. It is more about who we are in the LORD. It is about me and my GOD. It is about you as a person and your GOD. There is no excuse for failure. Who we are in the LORD determines the extent to which we shall fulfil GOD’s purpose for our lives (Romans 12:1-2).



Ruth did not have any relatives with her when she chose to cleave to her mother in law and her GOD. Rahab’s parents did not play any role in her accepting the LORD GOD of Israel as their MESSIAH. We do not need any relative, friend or connection to succeed and be whom GOD has destined us to be. We only need GOD.



GOD is faithful to all those who trust in Him and hope in Him (Jeremiah 17:7-8; Psalm 125:1; Proverbs 3:5-6).



GOD bless you.


Bro Michael Dike

Saturday, 12 June 2021

The bible promised that the latter glory shall be greater than the present. Having an understanding of the fact that we can get better will actually help us get better and put us on the pedestrian of success.

Thank you and more blessings on you.