The prostitute
Our past can truly haunt us!
The decisions and choices we make sometimes create a domino effect that allows us to feel lost and hopeless.
I was reading the bible about Noah and Daniel and for both, the bible stated that God called them righteous. My thoughts then ran to “Wow, if only I could live up to that as well.”
Which led me then to explore women of faith. In reading the Heroes of Faith in Hebrews 11, I was left in wonder when the only named woman was Rahab, a harlot.
The Word
Rahab was a prostitute of Jericho and this is her story:
“Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.”
So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.
Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.
When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.” So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.
She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.” Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.” “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.” Joshua 2:1-21
Understanding
When the Israelites captured Jericho, Rahab and her entire household was spared.
But Rahab’s story doesn’t end there.
Rahab married and gave birth to Boaz. Boaz married Ruth and became the father of Obed, the grandfather of Jesse, and the great grandfather of David.
So Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute became part of the lineage of King David and Jesus! Matthew 1:1-16
Rahab’s insights (Joshua 2:9-11) confirms that she was a woman of faith. According to rabbinic tradition, Rahab was one of the four most beautiful women in the world and was the ancestor of eight prophets, including Jeremiah and the prophetess Huldah.
Isn’t God amazing. He uses the least of us for great and mighty things!
Reflection
Thoughts: God doesn’t label us. He infuses his wisdom and allows us to carry out his will. Don’t let your past or previous choices stop you from doing God’s will.
Prayer: Abba Father, you alone know our hearts. May we be joyfully obedient to your will and release past chains that may be binding us. Amen
May God’s grace, mercy and love be with you.
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