Endings are better than beginnings
How did Rahab start, how did she end? How did Naomi start, how did she end? How did the thief that was crucified next to Jesus, whom Jesus told that He would see in paradise start, how did he end? How did the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well start, how did she end? The beginning and end of these Bible characters show that ‘better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof… (Ecclesiastes 7:8).’ You don’t have to end the way you started. You don’t have to allow your present circumstance determine and decide how you will end. You don’t have to end the way your mockers, oppressors, enemies or the devil are hoping and planning you will end. You can end well, you can end free from shame and sorrow.
The label and identification Rahab is given in the Bible is that of a prostitute; a loose, immoral woman. A woman most unsuitable to be chosen as a life partner. A woman who by this world’s standard, falls into the category of the worst of sinners. A woman you keep at arm’s length. Rahab was a rotten egg with an uninspiring profile. The only training and occupation we are told she had was that of a prostitute. Yet, Rahab ended where you least expect to find her. Rahab is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5), Rahab is mentioned under the honour roll of the faithful. Hebrews 11:31 says this about her, “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.” Rahab is mentioned as one of those Bible characters with unique, unwavering, tenacious faith worth emulating. For being bold and daring to hide the spies Joshua sent to Jericho, for being loving and caring towards her family and doing everything possible to see that when the Israelites came to take over Jericho, her family would be saved and protected, Rahab, a once detested prostitute, became a woman from whom you can learn about courage and fulfilling your God given assignment to your family (Joshua 2). What an interesting God we serve. He can reshape and remould destines in such a beautiful way. He can bring honour to the dishonoured, He can cover the despised and rejected with glory.
No matter how bad your life or circumstance may look, you don’t have to end the way you started, you don’t have to end where you are right now, you certainly don’t have to end in shame. You can end well. God told Jeremiah, I am watching over my word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12). When God looks at us, He looks at us from the expected end He has written and prepared for us (Jeremiah 29:11). He is watching to see us become who we can be through His power at work in us. When people looked at Rahab, all they could see was a prostitute. They couldn’t see beyond her present status and lifestyle. God, on the other hand, when He looks at us, sees much more than where we are today, much more than what we are doing right now. He sees who we can be, what we can do when yielded and fully surrendered to Him. When God called Gideon a mighty man in valor, there was nothing in Gideon’s life to match or warrant that title. God called Gideon a mighty warrior because God knew what Gideon was capable of doing when yielded to God’s plan and purpose for his life (Judges 6:11-16).
It wasn’t a coincidence, luck or a twist of fate that brought the spies to Rahab’s house. God divinely arranged for the spies to go to her house. God needed an opportunity to show her family and neighbours what Rahab was capable of doing. God needed a vessel to showcase to the world that you don’t have to end the way you have started, you don’t have to end in shame. You can end well, even when you have started on a very bad note.
As 2023 draws to an end, may the Word of the Lord in Ecclesiastes 7:8 be actualized in all our lives making the end of 2023 much, much better than its beginning for us, our families, our church and nation. Though your beginning may be small, though you may not have started well, it is still very possible to end this year well. Rahab was divinely selected to be one of those to be spared in Jericho; the Lord shall handpick you for a special end of year package. The Lord shall grant you divine speed and favour to end 2023 well. May you be a willing and yielded vessel God will pick and choose to reshape your life and destiny, and showcase to the world that you don’t have to end the way you started, you don’t have to end in shame!
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