Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1 (Justin Martyr, Tatian)

In the exercise of obedience, he offered his son as a sacrifice to God on one of the mountains which He showed him. Gen. 22; Heb. 11:17

CHAP. XI. — CONTINUATION. LOT.

On account of his hospitality and godliness, Lot was saved out of Sodom when all the country round was punished by means of fire and brimstone, the Lord thus making it manifest that He does not forsake those who hope in Him, but gives up those who depart from Him to punishment and torture. Gen. 19; 2 Pet. 2:6-9 For Lot’s wife, who went forth with him, being of a different mind from himself and not continuing in agreement with him regarding the command which had been given them, was made an example of, so as to be a pillar of salt to this day. Reference to Jewish and early Christian tradition regarding the pillar of salt. This was done so that all might know that those who are of a double mind, and who distrust the power of God, bring down judgment on themselves and become a warning to all succeeding generations.

CHAP. XII. — THE REWARDS OF FAITH AND HOSPITALITY. RAHAB.

On account of her faith and hospitality, Rahab the harlot was saved. For when spies were sent by Joshua, the son of Nun, to Jericho, the king of the country ascertained that they had come to spy out their land and sent men to seize them so that, when taken, they might be put to death. But the hospitable Rahab received them and concealed them on the roof of her house under some stalks of flax. When the men sent by the king arrived and said, “The men who are to spy out our land came to you; bring them forth, for so the king commands,” she answered them, “The two men whom you seek came to me, but they quickly departed again and are gone,” thus not revealing the spies to them. Then she said to the men, “I know assuredly that the Lord your God has given you this city, for the fear and dread of you have fallen on its inhabitants. When therefore you shall have taken it, keep me and the house of my father in safety.” And they said to her, “It shall be as you have spoken to us. As soon, therefore, as you know that we are at hand, you shall gather all your family under your roof, and they shall be preserved, but all that are found outside of your dwelling shall perish.” Josh. 2; Heb. 11:31 Moreover, they gave her a sign: that she should hang a scarlet thread from her house. By this, they made it manifest that redemption would flow through the blood of the Lord to all who believe and hope in God. Early Christian allegorical interpretation of the scarlet thread as a sign of Christ's blood. You see, beloved, that there was not only faith, but also prophecy, in this woman.

CHAP. XIII. — AN EXHORTATION TO HUMILITY.

Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble mind, laying aside all haughtiness, pride, foolishness, and angry feelings. Let us act according to that which is written (for the Holy Spirit says, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, neither let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glories, glory in the Lord, in diligently seeking Him, and doing judgment and righteousness” Jer. 9:23–24; 1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:17), being especially mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus which He spoke, teaching us meekness and long-suffering. For thus He spoke: “Be merciful, that you may obtain mercy; forgive, that it may be forgiven to you; as you do, so shall it be done to you; as you judge, so shall you be judged; as you are kind, so shall kindness be shown to you; with what measure you use, with the same it shall be measured to you.” Matt. 6:12–15; 7:2; Luke 6:36–38 By this precept and by these rules let us establish ourselves, that we may walk with all humility in obedience to His holy words. For the holy word says, “On whom shall I look, but on him that is meek and peaceable, and that trembles at My words?” Isa. 66:2

CHAP. XIV. — WE SHOULD OBEY GOD RATHER THAN THE AUTHORS OF SEDITION.

It is right and holy, therefore, men and brethren, rather to obey God than to follow those who, through pride and sedition, have become the leaders of a detestable rivalry. For we shall incur no slight injury, but rather great danger, if we rashly yield ourselves to the inclinations of men who aim at exciting strife and tumults, so as to draw us away from what is good. Let us be kind one to another after the pattern of the tender mercy and benignity of our Creator. For it is written, “The kind-hearted shall inhabit the land, and the guiltless shall be left upon it, but transgressors shall be destroyed from off the face of it.” Prov. 2:21–22 And again the Scripture says, “I saw the ungodly highly exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Lebanon; I passed by, and behold, he was not; and I diligently sought his place, and could not find it. Preserve innocence, and look on equity; for there shall be a remnant to the peaceful man.” Ps. 37:35–37