Who was Rahab? In the book of Joshua chpt. 2 we read how Rahab shelters two spies of Israel and see a promise made to her. It sounds like an adventure with a heroic end; however, there was more to this story. In this story, we see God’s redemptive power, love, and that He had a plan all along. It wasn’t until I read the first chpt. in the book of Matthew that it all became clear. Rahab was one of the 5 women mentioned in the new testament in the direct bloodline/geneology of Jesus Christ of Nazereth. WHAT??? a harlot, a prostitute can be redeemed and honored in the lineage of Jesus Christ by being mentioned in the New Testament. I was in awe. Wow, I thought, how merciful, is our God. He truly is the God who redeems, restores, revives and lets us live in His presence.
Here’s a recap of the story of Rahab. Moses had died and Joshua sent 2 spies to Jericho to begin claiming the land that God had promised His people, Israel. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting sun. The 2 spies went to Jericho and entered the house of a harlot named Rahab. The King of Jericho heard news that 2 spies of Israel had entered the house of Rahab and sent word to her to bring these men.
Rahab hid the 2 spies of Israel and lied to the King of Jericho. She told them that they had left right before it was time to shut the gates of the city at dark. They believed her; however, Rahab had hid them up on the roof in stalks of flax. As soon as it was safe, Rahab went to the roof to speak to the spies. She began to speak with faith as she told them that she knew that the Lord had given Israel the land and how everyone was terrified of Israel for they heard what had happened in the Red sea when God dried up the waters so that Israel could escape from Egypt and how they destroyed the 2 kings of the Amorites (Sihon and Og). Rahab began to tell them that she and all had realized that the Lord, the God of Israel, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. She began to plea with the spies and to swear to her that as she has helped them that they spare her life and that of her household.
They agreed and they told her to tie a chord of scarlet in the window through the same window that Rahab had let the spies escape and that when it was time to attack, all who were in Rahab’s house would be saved but that anyone who was outside the doors would die. This red chord reminded me of how Israel painted the posts of the homes in Egypt and all who were inside when the angel of death came would pass over and would be saved. Now we see a red chord symbolizing the ‘blood’. Again, we see that all who were covered under the “covering”/red chord would be saved. Interesting to fast forward to the time of Jesus where all who believed in Him are covered under His blood and saved.
As we read about the walls of Jericho falling down and the triumph of Israel we also see how Rahab became a hero. She and her family lived among the Israelites safe & secure. Did God need Rahab? No, He is God. He doesn’t need anyone to help Him but He chose Rahab. He chose the spies and all the events. God was already ochestrating a divine plan in the geneology of Jesus well before He would step into the scene in the flesh as the Messiah. Rahab would intermarry and it would be through her bloodline that the Messiah would arrive. What does this mean to me. It means, God restores and renews. It means that He can change any situation. It means, He sees our actions. He sees our hearts. It means God has a special place for women. They are part of His plan. We are important. We are vital. It means that there’s not a past that He can’t forgive and restore. This story of Rahab points straight to Jesus. A redemption story.
I feel deeply encouraged in reading the story of Rahab. A courageous woman with a past who acted on faith and dared ask for protection from the true God. The God of Israel, the God who is in Heaven. I pray we may be like Rahab. That although our situation may not have been like hers, we all have a past, we have come to Christ, saved by grace, and plead for the salvation of our family.