Good morning Church!
When we looked at Joshua conquering the land of promise, we had a chance to study the taking of the city of Jericho. Something that the archeologists have discovered is that there were two walls that protected the city. Before Joshua tried to attack what was considered to be an unconquerable city, he sent two spies. These spies eventually encountered Rahab, called a prostitute who was also an innkeeper. Her place was likely in between those two walls.
We can remember the story. The two spies were interested in the city, its fortifications and its inhabitants. We do not know what caused Rahab to trust these two men, but we do know that she spilled the beans that the inhabitants were afraid of the Israelites, because they had heard of the miraculous delivery from the Egyptians.
Contrary to custom in the Middle East, the rest of Rahan’s family, her parents, and siblings, lived somewhere else in town. This may have been a response to Rahab’s chosen profession and not wanting to be associated with her. Nonetheless, when she was making plans with the spies to see that she was spared, she also bargained for the sparing of her family (Joshua 2:8-21).
As we know, the Israelites defeated the people of Jericho by marking around the city for 7 days, when the walls fell down. Because of the pre-arranged plan of a scarlet cord placed outside the window of Rahab’s home, she and her family were spared (Joshua 6;17,23,25).
She later dwelled with the Israelites, at first outside their camp. She later married a man from the tribe of Judah named Salmon, and had a son called Boaz (Matthew 1:5). She would become the great-great-grandmother of King David (Matthew 1:5-6). Because of that her name is mentioned in the genealogy leading up to Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 1:1-16).
Rahab is found in the “hall of faith,” Hebrews 11:31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. As the two spies were being hunted, Rahab showed both courage and faith in welcoming them, hiding them, and misleading the hunters. And her faith showed itself in works, as noted in James 2:25-26 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
What can we learn from Rahab?
- Our past does not determine our future.
- Sometimes we may need to demonstrate love to those who have shunned us.
- Faith with obedience may require a public confession.
- Faith that is demonstrated is both proven and a witness.
- We cannot predict where our legacy will finish.
Praise God that He can take what we do in faith and create a future far beyond anything we can imagine!
