Lessons from Rahab

My Walk Monday

Earlier last week, I read about Rahab in the book of Joshua. Israelite spies went into Jericho and they needed a place to hide out. Rahab, a prostitute, agreed to hide the two spies in her house. She even lied about it when the king's men came to her asking where they were.

Rahab helped them because she feared their God.

Joshua 2:9-11 says “I know the Lord has given you this land,” she (Rahab) told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds) when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below."

In return for helping them, she asked for her life and her family's lives to be spared during the destruction of Jericho. And the Israelites agreed that she and her family would be safe.

My Study Bible said this about Rahab's future:
"References to Rahab elsewhere in the Bible show that she gained a unique place in Jewish history. She and her family alone survived the battle of Jericho. By marrying a man named Salmon (possible a relative of the hero Caleb), she became a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). The authors of James (2:25) and Hebrews (11:31) hold up Rahab as an example of faith."

Matthew 1:5 "Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse."

James 2:25 "Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road."

Hebrews 11:31 "It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies."

I find it quite interesting that right before the destruction of Jericho, a prostitute made a decision that ended up sparing her and her family's lives and resulted in her becoming an ancestor of Jesus. God is wanting all of us to make the right decisions that will honor Him. Even if we are big sinners, He can forgive us and save us through Jesus, and use us to do His work.

This makes me think about how important decisions are. I need to be living in God's will daily, asking Him for wisdom and guidance to make the best decisions.


Join Carolyn for the My Walk Monday Meme. Write a post about your walk with the Savior - what you learned in your devotions, what you are struggling with, a new worship song you learned, a prayer request, a new Bible study you started, a praise report … anything that is helping you grow in your relationship with the Lord.