Joshua 2: 2-6 The king of Jericho was told, “Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab; “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them. (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) [Living Bible translation]
Flax: A plant of the genus Linum that is cultivated for its seeds and for the fibers of its stem.
Rahab: In Hebrew (“rachav” i.e., “broad” or “large”) see www.wikepedia.org.
One of the primary uses of flax in biblical times was to make linen. The word “linen” means “cloth from woven flax” or “made of flax.” See, www.etymonline.com. Linen was used as a burial cloth in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs. The mummification cloth was flax seed cloth or linen wrapped many times over the body. Fine linen was also worn by the elite in biblical times. Because it was worn by the wealthy, fine linen was a valuable commodity. This may have been one of the reasons why Rahab, a (business) woman from Jericho who ran a “house” (King James translation) or “inn” (Living Bible translation) and who was called a harlot/prostitute, had flax drying on her roof. When the stacks of flax were woven into fine cloth linen, this would have been a great source of wealth and income. But Rahab willingly risked it all---she was willing to give it all up---the house, the linen income, her life—everything she had on her faith and belief that something better was coming.
Before the flax seed was her future—in essence her 401k. But now, the flax on the roof was just an excellent place to conceal the Jewish spies from the King of Jericho. Rather than dwell on what she could lose, Rahab acted on faith believing that the GOD who could open up the Red Sea for the Israelites and who defeated mortal kings, was the SUPREME GOD. (See, Joshua 2:11) Rather than fear what the King of Jericho would do to her, Rahab put her future in GOD’s hands.
In the city of Jericho, people may have counted Rahab “out” or considered her “low” in terms of “social” status and importance, but Rahab’s faith proved all of them wrong. In the end, Rahab, the Jericho Gentile, the “broad” ended up in the genealogy of Jesus Christ and even received a place in the biblical “Faith Hall of Fame!” See, Matt 1:5 and Hebrews 11:31.
Flax Seed
Flax seeds are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. In addition, flax seed is also a source of manganese, fiber, magnesium, folate, cooper, phosphorus, and Vitamin B. See, www.whfoods.com. According to www.whfoods.com:
Omega-3 fats are used to produce substances that reduce the formation of blood clots, which can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with atherosclerosis or diabetic heart disease.
Omega-3 fats are also needed to produce flexible cell membranes. Cell membranes are the cell's gatekeepers, allowing in needed nutrients while promoting the elimination of wastes. While important for everyone, flexible cell membranes are critical for persons with diabetes since flexible cell membranes are much better able to respond to insulin and to absorb glucose than the stiff membranes that result when the diet is high in saturated and/or hydrogenated (trans-) fats. In the colon, omega-3 fats help protect colon cells from cancer-causing toxins and free radicals, leading to a reduced risk for colon cancer.
Mayoclinic.com also suggests that flax seed oil may not possess all of the properties of the flax seeds themselves.
[O]ral flaxseed (not flaxseed oil) may possess laxative properties, although only one human trial has been conducted for this indication. In large doses, or when taken with inadequate water, flaxseed may precipitate bowel obstruction via a mass effect.
Flaxseed oil contains oil the alpha-linolenic acid component of flaxseed, and not the fiber or lignin components. Therefore, flaxseed oil may share the purported lipid-lowering properties of flaxseed, but not the proposed laxative or anti-cancer abilities.
Some of the ways to eat flax seeds include, sprinkling ground flax seed over a green salad; adding ground flax seeds to fruit smoothies (the ones you make yourself) or adding ground flax seed to a fruit salad. On non-raw foods days, ground flax seed can be added to soup or oatmeal, it can be added to muffins, bread, yogurt or eaten with other foods. Because the oil in flax seed can go rancid, it may be best to store ground flax seeds in the refrigerator.
FAITH
“Stepping into your future” is about faith. Whether you try a flax seed product or eat some other raw food, healthy living is about faith. Eating raw, eating right, eating the right amount and prayer are all about faith—faith that GOD will give each of us the wisdom and strength to treat our bodies like “holy temples.”
So, let us ask GOD to show us what to give up, what to hang onto. Let’s pray that we act in faith, believing that GOD IS SUPREME and that HE reigns over mortal kings, dictators, presidents and earthly rulers. Let’s put away our fears and have faith in GOD. Like Rahab, we too can go from negativity, to victory!
Today, have faith, and BE BLESSED!
