Originally posted 3/19/24
In our society, there is a misconception that you must be perfect to be used by God. In Joshua 2 we meet a woman who has a profound effect on the lives of the Israelites. Rahab was clearly used by God. This is a secret–Rahab wasn’t perfect. She was a sinful woman, yet God used her anyway. How many times do we let satan tell us we cannot possibly used by God because we are sinful? Jesus is the only human who was without sin. Every person in history that was used by God was a sinful being. Let that sink in for a moment. It’s time we tell satan to take a hike.
Joshua sent two men to Jericho to check things out. (Joshua 2) The two men go to a prostitute’s house to seek information. Rahab hid the men from the officials. The King heard that the men were there, but she lied to keep them safe. She asked the men that her family also be saved. Rahab is referred to as a harlot (prostitute) in Joshua 2:1, 6:17, 25, James 2:25, and Hebrews 11:31. The Hebew word for harlot is “zana”. It is “prone” in Greek. In her time as well as ours, a prostitute would not be highly regarded. Not only did she hide the spies, she was in the direct lineage of Jesus. “and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,” Matthew 1:5. God not only used her, but He blessed her with a husband and a son.
There is no evidence that Rahab was a practicing Jew. However, she had heard about the Hebrew people. She risked great danger to herself and her family to protect the spies. She had great faith.
Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt 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 devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” Joshua 2:8-14 ESV
Rahab is also mentioned in Hebrews 11. This chapter is known as the “walk of Faith”. The writer recounts the names of many people throughout Biblical history who [Hebrews 11:31 ESV] 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. Obviously, she was viewed as a great woman of faith. For all her faults, she followed God’s leading admirably. When you look over that list of saints, remember that they were all flawed, but all did great things for God. How does your faith influence others? Do you follow God’s leading in spite of your faults? Are you paralyzed by your faults?
Image from www.freebibleimages.org
#faith, #Bible, #Scriptures, #Christian Women, #Discipleship, #womenintheBible, #Rahab