Using the story of Rahab and the two spies, this message traces the pattern of promise, covenant, and token seen in Abraham’s life, then shows that receiving the Holy Ghost is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a season of trials meant to bring a believer to full maturity and adoption as a son or daughter of God.
Scripture Reference
Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token.
Key Points: From Promise to Adoption
- God’s dealings with Abraham followed a set pattern; a promise, then a covenant sealed by contract, then a sign (circumcision) as a token of that covenant, establishing that a promise alone is not the same as the sign confirming it.
- Rahab believed the report of Israel’s God without seeing any sign herself, then asked the spies not only for a covenant (an oath) but for a ‘true token’, because a promise without an applied sign would not distinguish or protect her house.
- The token had to be personally displayed (the scarlet cord bound in the window), belonging to the covenant people or believing the message is not enough on its own; the sign must be applied to be effective, just as Israel needed the blood applied at Passover.
- Receiving the Holy Ghost is compared to Israel crossing Jordan, not the end of the journey but the start of trials and testing that build the character (virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity) required for full adoption as a mature son or daughter of God.