Every Woman Series (Part Three) Rahab; “Your past doesn’t define you, God can use anyone!”

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D. In the book of Joshua, we are introduced to one of the most thought-provoking and astonishing heroines of the Old Testament. Rahab, the prostitute of the Canaanite city of Jericho, ultimately is noteworthy for her great faith and for her place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. But a closer examination of the life of this remarkable Gentile woman can lead to deeper insights into how God deals with individual believers in grace and mercy. Rahab’s story is found in Joshua 2:1-21. The context of this passage describes the conquest of the fortified city of Jericho by the Israelites. In its day, Jericho was a stronghold directly in the path of the advancing Israelites, who had just crossed the Jordan River (Joshua 3:1-17). Before entering the land west of the Jordan, Joshua sent two men to spy out the land. They met Rahab. She hid the spies, sent the king’s agents out of the city to chase them, and sent the spies in the opposite direction. In other words, she committed treason against her own society. She endangered her own life to help Jericho’s enemy. However treason against evil is good! She turned against a city doomed to destruction to serve the living God. Everyone else in the city had the same opportunity. In fact, if anyone repented in their heart and didn’t do anything about it, they died for Jericho’s sin but went into God’s presence saved. While the two spies were hiding, Rahab told them an earful. Hers is one of the longest uninterrupted speeches of any woman in the Scriptures! She told them everyone in Jericho knew the history of the Israelites beginning with the exodus from Egypt. They knew God had dried up the Red Sea (some 40 years prior) for everyone to walk across on dry land (no muddy shoes for them!) They knew God had drowned the Egyptian chariots. And they knew that Israel had utterly destroyed the two kings of the Amorites that opposed them. As a result, terror and fear had seized everyone in Jericho. Except for Rahab. Instead of fear, she responded with faith in God. She decided to change her allegiance to the God of Israel, whom she said is “God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” She agreed to help them escape, provided that she and her family were spared in the upcoming battle. The spies agreed to her request. Joshua led the Israelites over the Jordan into Canaan where they laid waste to the city of Jericho. The city was completely razed, and every man, woman, and child in it was killed. Only Rahab and her family were spared. Ultimately, Rahab married Salmon, an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. Her son was Boaz, the husband of Ruth. Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, is her direct descendant. Rahab’s story reminds us that once we come to Jesus, our pasts no longer define us! The slate is wiped clean for all who believe and accept the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross on our behalf. Rahab was no longer viewed as an unclean prostitute, but as one worthy by grace to be part of the lineage of our Lord Jesus Christ. We find in the life of Rahab the inspiring story of all sinners who have been saved by grace. Be encouraged!