Consider Rahab. Tacked onto the story of Moses who walked with God, an immoral infidel appears as one of only 2 women in this list of faithful Hebrews. What does she have to teach us about the better way of redemption?
You can find her story in Joshua 2, but here are some highlights:
Rahab was used by God to shelter two men that Joshua sent to spy on Jericho. Not only did she hide them on the roof of her house, but she sent her own king’s soldiers in the wrong direction when they came looking. She asked for a deal with the two spies in exchange for her act of sabotage.
Now then, please swear to me by the Lord, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, and spare my father and my mother, and my brothers and my sisters, and all who belong to them, and save our lives from death.”
Joshua 2: 12-13
Consider her upbringing. She lived in a patriarchal society where the father of the house decided what would happen to his daughters. What kind of father would send his daughter into prostitution?
Consider her faith. Though she was raised in a pagan culture, her heart was stirred to faith by the reports of Yahweh and a chosen race of people that was moving across the wilderness.
“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 despaired because of 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 these reports, our hearts melted and no courage remained in anyone any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth below.
Joshua 2: 9-11
When the time came for Israel’s invasion of Jericho, she managed to gather her whole family into her house that was built into the wall. They remained there until the rubble fell around them, and they were rescued alive. She continued to live among God’s people and was even woven into the lineage of Jesus Christ.
Isn’t it remarkable that this one women has a place in Hebrews 11? Out of all the key players and amazing stories of Joshua conquering the Promised Land, we know her name, her story, and her faith.
By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
Hebrews 11:31
If a fallen women in a foreign land can risk her life for a belief in a God she has never seen, what’s holding us back from running hard after a risen Savior whose Spirit dwells within those who believe?
Will you join me in considering Rahab’s story as one of faith and more than worthy of a place in this list in Hebrews 11?
Equip Her 