January 20 - Rahab

January 20 - Rahab

How many of you choose to tell stories of prostitutes in your life history … even if they were reformed?  Most of us would choose to hide that information, not wanting anyone to think less of us or our family.

Jesus, on the other hand, finds this prostitute in his lineage and does not disregard her.

When Joshua and Caleb were spying in Canaan, they ended up in Jericho.  The king found out they were there and with murder in mind, sent guards looking for them.  Rahab hid them on her roof under stalks of flax.  Her house was part of Jericho’s outer wall, so when things were safe, they were able to escape.

For her trust, they told her that when the battle came, she should tie a crimson cord in the window through which they were planning to leave and tell no one they had been there.

Prostitutes are ignored by most, but not by two men who trusted her with their lives.  When they brought the battle to Jericho, Rahab and her family escaped before the city was destroyed and became a part of tribe of Israel for the rest of their lives (Joshua 6:25).

Because she took these men into her home and protected them, then sending them on their way, she is remembered by the author of Hebrews as someone who had great faith.  She is also mentioned in Jesus’ lineage in Matthew 1:5 as the mother of Boaz, the future husband of Ruth.  Her life was changed the day that she chose to obey the Lord God.