Prostitute Named Rahab

One of the reasons I love this story is because of the grace bestowed on such a broken woman.

Sept 2

I saw the grace of God as I read the story of Rahab today. Rahab was the prostitute who hid the spies in her home and in return they protected her and her family from the destruction of Jericho. Rahab had heard the stories of how God had protected Israel and how He was giving them the land.

(Rahab) said to the men, “ I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Joshua 2:9-11 NASB

Rahad heard the same stories her people heard. The people of Jericho simply melted in fear. Rahab decided to do something. She decided to align herself with the true God and help His spies. After all, she believed He was the Lord of heaven and earth. After Jericho falls, she stays with the Israelites, marries Salmon, and has a son named Boaz. Her name is included in the lineage of Christ. One of the reasons I love this story is because of the grace bestowed on such a broken woman. God redeems her life. God puts her in the lineage of Christ. It didn’t matter her past. She put her trust in God. Went against everything her family had taught her. Started a new life and it was beautiful. I wish I knew more details. I wish I knew how she came to marry Salmon. One day, I will ask her. I will sit with her and listen to her story. Until that day, I will just be thankful for a God of mercy and second chances.

Today, as I read this story, I wondered, why did God send in the spies? The last time God sent in the spies all those years ago, I believe was because He wanted to spark excitement for what He was giving them, a land filled with milk and honey. Joshua and Caleb came back excited, the others came back scared. They feared man and didn’t trust God. This fear, filled the camp and they were forced to wander the desert for 40 years. God knew this would happen and was patient.

I think this time, a bigger reason that God sent the spies into Jericho was to save a prostitute named Rahab. Our Father knew this woman’s heart and rescued her. He made a way for her to become a part of His family. Her name will forever be included in the lineage of Christ. By the way, most of the names mentioned are men. The family line is, by tradition, through the men. It simply warms my heart that God could see Rahab, and lift her up out of her life of sin, and give her such a place of prominence, never to be forgotten. She was trapped and hopeless, and God went back for her. None of us are forgotten. He would, and has done the same for all of us. We are all included in the family of Christ. We have all been rescued. I don’t know about you, but I’m so humbled by his love for me and the way He rescued me.