Redeemed Woman

By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Hebrews 11:31 (ESV)

Imagine being known throughout human history by your most shameful sin, your greatest regret, your biggest failure. As inspired in the Word of God by the Holy Spirit, the Canaanite woman named Rahab is referred to as “Rahab the prostitute” five times. And yet with such a title, she stands among the great people of faith such as Abraham, Sarah, and even Moses (Hebrews 11; James 2:21-25).

Her story of faith is found initially in Joshua 2. We can gather from Joshua 2:10 that Rahab’s knowledge of the LORD came about when word got around about all that the LORD God did for His people in Egypt and against the Amorites. Her heart melted with fear, and I can only imagine that the utter despair of destruction left this woman broken, seeking for salvation (Joshua 2:9,11).

In God’s providence, Rahab was going on about her daily business when two Israelite men walked into her house. Report of the intentions of these men reached Jericho’s king (Joshua 2:1-2). Rahab, putting her life on the line, hid the two spies in her home despite the king’s orders to surrender them (Joshua 2:3-4). It was this act of faith that marked her faith in God’s Book for all eternity (Hebrews 11; James 2:21-25; 1 Peter 1:25).

In this post I will be sharing with you my meditations about this unlikely woman of faith. I pray that your faith will be encouraged as mine was from the life of Rahab the prostitute.

God, the object of rahab’s faith

“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.”

-Rahab the prostitute (Joshua 2:11, ESV)

The object of Rahab’s faith was made clear in what she expressed here. The object of Rahab’s faith was not her temple worship or sacrifices; she never stepped foot in the temple of the LORD before Joshua 2. The object of her faith was not her deep knowledge of His laws; she only knew of the LORD what she had heard (Joshua 2:8-11). The object of her faith was not in herself; she knew she was doomed (Joshua 2:12-13). From what she heard and learned about the Israelite God, she believed that the LORD God was indeed the supreme God over all heaven and earth. In her mind, she had no doubt that the LORD was sovereign over the destruction that was about to take place on the people of Jericho despite their army and great wall (Joshua 6:2,5).

“[Rahab] 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.”

-Joshua 2:9 (ESV)

It is Who you put your faith in that makes all the difference. Do you put your faith in your spiritual disciplines (prayer, fasting, good deeds, baptism, church membership, Bible reading, righteous living, etc.)? Do you put your faith in people (your pastor, your spiritual leaders, your church)? Jesus put it this way in Mark 11:22-24 (ESV),

“Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours…”

surrender, the response of rahab’s faith

“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.”

-Rahab the prostitute (Joshua 2:12-13, ESV)

Certainly, the Canaanite and the Amorite gods were no match for the LORD as evidenced by the defeat experienced by King Sihon and Og (Deuteronomy 2:26-37; Deuteronomy 3; Joshua 2:10). Rahab’s fear in the LORD as the God of heaven and earth led her to surrender herself and her entire family before the mercies of God Himself. There was no other salvation for there was no other god more powerful than the Most High God to which she can call upon to be saved. She realized that her life was in God’s hand. Shall she live, it will be according to His mercy.

In the same way, who can save us from the just punishment of sin except God Himself, the Judge? Paul called God “the just and the justifier” of those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26).

Obedience, the result of rahab’s faith

 And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

-Joshua 2:21 (ESV)

Trusting in the LORD before whom their oath was made, she sent the two Israelite spies safely back to their camp (Joshua 2:17). The author of Hebrew commentated that Rahab exercised obedience; not for selfish ambition, not of obligation nor with the expectation that God now was indebted to her (Hebrews 11:31). Obedience connotates a sense of respect, sincerity, and purity of heart (Deuteronomy 10:12-13; John 14:23; Romans 6:17). Her faith led her to the fear of the LORD and to obedience to Him, even to the point of risking her own life (Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Proverbs 19:23). James’ commentary stated that Rahab’s faith was true and alive as it was active and completed by her obedient work (James 2:22-26).

Jesus said in John 3:35-36 (ESV),

“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

conclusion

God did not want us to forget that Rahab was a prostitute; nevertheless, a prostitute redeemed by His great mercy and grace, spiritually and physically. This Canaanite woman was grafted into the people of God and family of Jesus (Joshua 6:25; Matthew 1:4-6). The trajectory of her life took a 180 degree turn when God became her LORD. Her deeds gave evidence of her faith and new life in God. The redemption story of this unlikely woman of faith foreshadows the blessed salvation that God would bring to sinful man through faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:11-13 (ESV)

My dear sister, no matter how far you or a loved one have gone astray from God’s way or how utterly shameful the sins, God’s forgiveness is greater. Just as Rahab found salvation in the LORD with the scarlet cord tied to her window, so we all will have life if found in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:5-11; Colossians 2:6-15). All sin can be atoned for by the righteous blood of Jesus except for one (Matthew 12:31). There is no life too broken that God cannot make new by His resurrection power (2 Corinthians 5:17). There is no hopelessness that the light of Jesus can not overcome (Psalm 139:11-12; John 1:4-10).

Know now that the LORD God is God over all heaven and earth, and that your life is in His hands. Pray for faith (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 2:8) that is marked by surrender and obedience such as Rahab’s. This is true faith in God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). O LORD, open our eyes to Your ways and lift our burdens!