Rahab is the protagonist of one of my favorite bible stories. It is one of those stories that I have been able to identify myself with. If you know the story you may ask yourself, how can you identify with a prostitute? No, I do not identify with her profession but I have found myself on the other side of the accusing finger. I have sat on the bench of the accused.
Rahab is a woman who practiced prostitution (Josue 2: 1) and in whose house the two spies sent by Joshua stayed. Many will think that they stayed at Rahab's house because they would go unnoticed, but it is my personal opinion that the hand of God was pulling the strings for Rahab's redemption.
When the king learns that the two spies were in Jericho and had visited Rahab, he sent her a message to ask her to drive out those men who had come to spy on the city. Rahab hides the spies and lies to the king's envoys saying: “It is true that some men came to my house, but I do not know who they were or where they came from. They left when it began to get dark, at the time of closing the city gates, and I don't know where they went. Go after them; maybe they will catch up” Joshua 2: 4-5. Rahab does not know these two men and yet she hides them at risk of losing her own life to save theirs.
Once the king's envoys leave, Rahab goes to where the two spies are hiding and tells them: I know that the Lord has given you this land, and that is why we are terrified; all the inhabitants of the country are scared to death before you” Josue 2: 9 Already in Jericho there was a rumor that the God of Israel would give that city to His people and they were afraid.
In Josue 2:11 Rahab said: I know that the Lord and God is the God of gods both in heaven and on earth. At that moment Rahab turns her heart to God and confesses with her mouth that God is the only God. Romans 10:13 says: for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Rahab may not understand the weight of her words at that moment, but she confessed to God he is the Lord and automatically salvation came, not only for her life but for her entire family as well.
The spies promise to preserve her life and her family as well. She should only hang a scarlet cord tied to the window to identify her house and prevent it from being destroyed along with the others. That scarlet cord is the symbol of God's promise in her life. That day, Rahab had no idea how much her life will change after that. Not only Salmon, one of the spies made her his wife, but the Messiah is born from her bloodline. Rahab was the mother of the stereotype of man that our hearts desire, Boaz. ( if you don’t know who he is, read the story of Ruth)
But even more significant is the fact that Paul names Rahab in Hebrews 11, where he speaks of the heroes of the Faith. Hebrews 11:31 says: By faith the prostitute Rahab did not die together with the disobedient, for she had received in peace spies.
Rahab teaches us that God's mercy does not exempt anyone. That while in Jericho she would be frowned upon for engaging in prostitution, in the eyes of God she was as worthy of grace as any of us. Rahab risked her own life to protect two spies she did not know, much less did she have any guarantees that they would keep their promise. But FAITH, that faith that makes us believe even in the midst of the worst circumstances, that Faith despite the uncertainty, is the faith that Rahab's life should inspire in us today.
I can imagine that Rahab's wait must have been full of uncertainties and doubts, but she anchored herself to her faith. I am sure that in looking back at her life, Rahab must have lived eternally grateful for the grace of God poured out on her life that dark day for the city of Jericho.
And do you still think that your past or current situation makes you unworthy of God’s grace? Declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you will see how God's salvation comes to your life and makes you a witness of His love.
Blessings!
