Road Trippin With Rachael

Who?

Who is this woman who is a part of the family tree of Jesus. Rahab is an interesting character, and she is an example of how being a part of the community of God’s people was never limited to only the Hebrew people. We are given several details about Rahab’s life as we go through scripture

• She was a prostitute (Joshua 2:2). This is just my thought on the issue, but I think it probably would be okay to say that she was probably a “Madam” – or that she was the lead prostitute. Now why do I think that? I think that the fact she had her own house and it was large enough to have the whole of her father’s family in it would mean that it was of a decent size. I also think this because she had enough notoriety that the king of Jerico went to her to ask where the Hebrew men were. She obviously was well known and had enough clout to speak to the king – and lie to his face. 
• Rahab had heard about the great things that had happened concerning the Israelites, and this caused a fearful recognition of who their God was (Joshua 2:10)
• Rahab, because of the point above, hid the Israelite spies, sent the men of Jerico on a wild goose chase, and gave them directions to elude them (Jsohua 2:4)
• Rahab would survive the fall of Jerico (with her family) and she would remain with the Israelites (Joshua 6:25). 
• Rahab would married into the family of Salmon and would become a part of the line of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).

What Do We Learn From Rahab?

If we look at the life of Rahab as a whole from what we are presented with in scripture – she had it made by the world’s standards at the time. She was an independent woman who had clout and recognition. She wasn’t only independent, but she was doing really well as a single woman – a feat that was virtually unheard of – because she had her own home. From a worldly perspective, she had everything to lose from the Israelite army coming into Jerico; it would have made more sense to turn those men away. 

But she didn’t.

Rahab had heard the stories of what God had done to the Egyptians, and what Israel had recently done to two other cities are they moved towards Canaan. She saw the proof of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and knew that she didn’t want to be on the wrong side of him. She stepped out in faith and helped betray her city. In doing so, she saved her family and joined the family of God. She became a part of the covenant. 

Like every person who comes to saving faith, she was given the opportunity to join. She didn’t have to, but when the invitation was offered she accepted it. She saw what God had done, and she responded accordingly. As a result, she is a part of the family. Not only is she a part of the wider family of Israel, but she marries into the tribe of Judah and eventually becomes a part of the line of Jesus. 

The invitation to come to faith is offered to anyone and everyone. No matter our background, our ethnicity, our financial situation, our family background, or what we have done in the past -the invitation is offered to everyone. When we come to faith, we are new creations in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).