Rahab Rewarded

Don't you find that you love God more and more as you discover more about His character? One of my favorite things about God is how He uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27). I also love how He seems to love pouring His strength and wisdom into the weakest, most unassuming down-trodden of creation to demonstrate huge themes in the Living Word. We can find countless examples in the annals of literature of themes where people rejoice when the "underdog" wins--where the underdog is the one looked down upon, and seems least likely to succeed. Then as the stories unfold, the beautiful truth emerges that for some reason, that person or persons comes out as "top dog," and their story was noteworthy enough to bring readers to tears, to their knees, and in the Bible's case, to the Cross. Let's explore the story of Rahab. Yes, the Rahab I am speaking of is the one whose name is usually echoed by "the harlot."

Part of Joshua's fail-safe plan to conquer Jericho included sending two spies ahead of God's people. These men probably didn't realize that blessing the life of a local harlot would be on their agenda--but it was on God's. As they moved through the city they met Rahab. For some reason, her eyes were wide open to recognize the men of God, and she was led to speak with them. We aren't told details about her life, but the Hebrew word for harlot is zanah, which refers to someone, most often a woman, who commits adultery.

In the course of perhaps a typical day, Rahab was able to stop what she was doing long enough to acknowledge representatives of Jehovah (already greatly feared by the heathen people of the area), and to realize that her entire family's salvation depended on her decision to join ranks with His people.

She was kind to them, and implored the men to return that kindness when their army returned to destroy her city. They agreed to do this. Imagine the courage and faith of this woman as she looked these men in the face! She led a shameful lifestyle and was speaking with enemies of her own people who served the Holy God! Of interest is the fact that scripture implies she had begun to fear God before the men even entered the city. Maybe her heart was desperately in tune to hear what God would say to her because of where her lifestyle had led her. Perhaps she felt trapped not only within the walls of Jericho she could touch, but within fragile walls of a life whose heart had been long-broken.

Harlotry begets broken hearts. Throughout history, prostitutes were looked upon as "low-lifes." Very often they suffered abuse from the hands of their "employers" as well as from others they were in contact with; they faced the depths of depravity. Not only do they suffer from low self-esteem, but their sin is against their own body (1 Corinthians 6:18). Rahab, this "underdog" of scripture chose the life and light of the Living God for her new path. Salmon married Rahab, and one of their children was Boaz, who married Ruth. Jesus Christ was born of that lineage many years later (Matthew 1:5-7). I'm sure Rahab felt an awesoome sense of relief when her family was rescued from death by might Israeli warriors! Maybe she then looked back at the fallen walls of Jericho and realized the walls around her heart were crumbing as well.

What does the story of Rahab show us about Jesus? Was she commended for her life-long service to God and His people? Was she noteworthy at the pen of the author of Hebrews because she led a life astute in character and godliness, and because she had deserved to be rescued from peril? The answers to these questions are obvious, but they should give any one of us magnanimous hope. If a lowly harlot can recognize when the God of the Universe comes knocking at her door, ready to love her--to save her, then why would we think we would ever have to become good enough before asking Christ to come into our hearts? Why would we think that He wouldn't speak to us or save us in our time of need?

Though we are not told whether Rahab will be in heaven, I'd like to think she will--especially since she was commended for her faith in the Bible. Hebrews 11:31 (NIV) states, "By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient." She was rewarded with her life, but aren't we also a part of her reward--those of us who have said and will say "yes" to the knocking of Jesus at our hearts' doors? Because of her faith, a woman most probably voted one of the least likely to succeed, became an ancestor of Jesus Christ, our Hope of glory! Let's take that Hope to the doorsteps of the "Rahabs" of this world so that they, too, might experience the grace and mercy of our God.