Rahab was one of those
unexpected characters in the Bible. Even though she made her living as a
prostitute, she was selected for high honor in the Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11.
She heard about the God of Israel and recognized him as
the true God, the One worth risking your life for. And she did risk her life
for him.
The Jews finally entered the Promised Land of Canaan
after wandering 40 years in the desert.
·
Joshua
·
Bible
Moses had died and they were now led byJoshua, a mighty warrior. Joshua secretly sent two spies to
scout out the fortified city of Jericho. Rahab ran an inn built on the Jericho
city wall where she hid the spies on her roof top. When the king of Jericho
learned the men had been to Rahab's house, he sent orders for her to turn them
over. She lied to the king's soldiers concerning the whereabouts of the spies,
and sent them off in the opposite direction.
Then
Rahab went up to the spies and pleaded for her life and for the lives of herfamily members. She made an oath with them. Rahab would
keep silent about their mission and the Israelites would spare everyone in her
household when they invaded the city. She was to hang a scarlet cord from her
window as a sign, so the Jews could find and protect her.
In the
miraculous battle of Jericho, the invincible city did fall. Joshua gave
orders to rescue Rahab and all in her house. She and her family were adopted by
the Jews and stayed with them.
Rahab's Accomplishments:
Rahab recognized the true God and took him for her own.
She was an ancestor of both King David andJesus Christ.
She earned mention in
the Faith Hall of Fame (Hebrews 11:31).
Rahab's Strengths:
Rahab was loyal to Israel and faithful to her word.
She was resourceful in an emergency.
Rahab's Weakness:
She was a prostitute.
Life Lessons:
Some scholars believe
the red cord Rahab hung from her window represents sacrificial blood, the blood
of animals in the Old Testament and the blood of Jesus Christ in the New
Testament.
Rahab had heard stories
of how the Lord delivered the Jews from the hand of their enemy. She declared
her faith in the one true God. Rahab learned that following
him will change your life forever.
God judges us differently than people judge us.
Hometown:
Jericho.
Referenced in the Bible:
Occupation:
Prostitute and innkeeper.
Family Tree:
Son: Boaz
Great grandson: King David
Ancestor of: Jesus Christ
Great grandson: King David
Ancestor of: Jesus Christ
Key Verses:
Joshua 2:11
...for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. (NIV)
...for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. (NIV)
Joshua 6:25
But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho--and she lives among the Israelites to this day. (NIV)
But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho--and she lives among the Israelites to this day. (NIV)
Hebrews 11:31
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. (NIV)
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. (NIV)
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