Introductory Summary
Faith is defined as an act of being assured in things we hope for and believing in what we cannot see. Faith can only be complete, if coupled with relevant actions. In this regard, one has to portray his faith by assuming actions that demonstrate believe in hope and things that cannot be seen.
The Bible stories of Abraham and Rahab have a similarity in violation of telling the truth. Both Abraham and Rahab are referred to as hall of faith, in the book of Hebrews. The essay will feature instances of deceit that Abraham and Rahab applied and relevance to their faith in God. Actions are essential in future praise and success associated with faith.
Abraham’s Deceit
Abraham is widely referenced for his faith and close relationship with God. There are however two instances of deceit that Abraham engaged in, which demonstrated little faith in God.
When famine struck the land of Negev, Abraham went to Egypt in search of food and pasture for his cattle. Abraham made his wife Sarai lie that he was his brother, so that he wouldn’t be killed. The lie demonstrated that Abraham did not believe that God could protect him from Egyptians. Abraham was afraid that Pharaoh would order his execution, so as to keep Sarai.
In this regard, Abraham’s faith was not sufficient to protect his wife. Similarly, Abraham told Abimelech that Sarai was his sister, since he did not know whether the people of that land believed in God. Despite the fact that Abraham had faith in God, he failed to assume relevant actions that could demonstrate his assuredness in God’s power, in both instances. The acts of deceit by Abraham were wrong and did not accredit him to be regarded as hall of faith in Hebrews 11 (Carr & Conway, 2010).
Rahab’s Deceit
Rahab was a simple prostitute who was disregarded in the society. Despite the low and dirty life she led, her deceit demonstrated great faith in God. Rahab saved the lives of the Israelites by hiding them in her house. It should be noted that, Rahab hid the two Israelites because of great faith that she had in God.
Rahab chose to betray her people because God’s power surpassed that of local authority. Rahab believed in God to extent that, she trusted in His salvation from pending destruction. Rahab’s act of faith in God was demonstrated when she hid people she did not know, just because of great things that God had done for them.
Rahab believed that God would destroy Jericho and sought for her salvation, as well as that of her family. Rahab’s act of deceit was therefore praised and she was worthy to be regarded, as a hall of faith in the book of Hebrews. Rahab put her life in danger, as opposed to Abraham who was too afraid to do so. The act of faith by Rahab was associated with success, since her entire family was saved from destruction. Further, Rahab was given privilege of being an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Public Domain, 1965).
Bible Absolutes and Commandments
The seventh commandment warns against adultery. It should however be noted that, in both instances of deceit by Abraham, there was no attempt to prevent his wife from committing adultery.
As a matter of fact, he told pharaoh and Abimilech that Sarai was his sister. In this regard, pharaoh and Abimelech were at the verge of committing adultery unknowingly. There is divine intervention that prevents adultery from taking place. In both instances, God strikes people involved with a plague, so as to prevent them from defiling Sarai (International Bible Society, 1973).
God promised Joshua to guide him and enlarge territories of his land. The act of deceit by Rahab can be interpreted as, fulfillment of God’s promise to Joshua. Rahab concealed the plans of Israelites by hiding the spies and thereby helping them to conquer Jericho. Further, Joshua abided by law just like he was commanded by God. Joshua kept his word to Rahab and saved her entire family from destruction. Rahab was not destroyed and was made an ancestor of Jesus Christ, as a reward for her faith in God.
Conclusion
Faith has to be accompanied by actions, for it to yield results. Actions of faith should demonstrate level of assuredness that an individual has on unknown and degree of faith God. In the instances of deceit by Abraham, he was afraid to believe that God would save him from pharaoh and Abimelech. As a result, he ended up surrendering his wife and exposing her to adultery. A health professional would have a lot to learn from the plagues that God caused on Pharaoh and Abimelech, as a way of preventing adultery.
God struck the people who wanted to defile Sarai with strange sickness (Wilson, 1989). Notably, the sickness disappeared when Abraham prayed for Abimelech. Pharaoh was also healed after he returned Abraham’s wife. A health professional would learn that some health conditions can be brought by divinity and that God has the power to heal.
References
Carr, D. &Conway, C. (2010). An Introduction to the Bible: Sacred Texts and Imperial Contexts. New York: John Wiley & Sons Press.
International Bible Society. (1973). New International Version Holy Bible. Web.
Public Domain. (1965). King James Version Study Bible. Web.
Wilson, M. (1989). Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith. Massachusetts: Eerdmans Publishing.