Rahab, Unlikely Woman of Influence.
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. Hebrews 11:31 (NLT)
Yes, you read correctly, a prostitute. Rahab, a biblical woman of influence, was a prostitute in Jericho, the city that God was about to give to the Israelites. We all think of prostitutes as bad, shameful, horrible, worthless women but God didn’t think so. We meet Rahab through the spies that Joshua sent to Jericho and it just so happens that these Israelite spies end up at a prostitute’s home. This alone lets me know that God is up to something. I mean, of all the places for the spies to go, they find their way to a prostitute.
These spies were devoted to God and His authority. They were surrendered to God and wouldn’t even think of committing any act with a prostitute. God knew this. The spies thought they were going to scope out the land but God had another plan. The spies were there to give a new life of freedom and redemption to Rahab. God had heard her cries for freedom from the life she was living.
When the soldiers of Jericho heard there were Israelite spies in their city and that they’d gone to Rahab’s home, they went to her home to get them. Rahab lied to the soldiers saying she saw them leaving on a certain road away from the city but she’d actually hidden them. Once the soldiers left, Rahab told the spies that she knew that their God was going to destroy the city and she believed in their God even though her people didn’t. So in return for her hiding them, she asked them for a favor. She asked that she and her family’s lives be spared. The spies agreed only if everyone was in her home once they came to destroy the city and takeover.
The agreement was made, the spies left and Rahab waited. Even in her waiting for the spies to make good on their promise, she trusted in God. She had faith that in spite of who she was and the life she lived, that the God of Israel, the powerful God who showed favor to the Israelites and put fear in the hearts of those who dared come against the people of God, would show some kindness to a lowly woman like her.
The spies kept their promise and Rahab and her family were rescued. But Rahab’s story doesn’t end there. This is where her life truly began, the life that God wanted her to have all along. It just so happens that Rahab married one of those spies! They had children who also had children; all in the lineage of Jesus Christ, our Savior!
Rahab is familiar.
By the faith that Rahab had in God, she surrendered her life to Him and He redeemed her life and blessed her! He took her from a life of prostitution to a full life like she’d only dreamed of. Rahab’s story reminds me of mine a little. I wasn’t a prostitute but I was promiscuous.
When Rahab surrendered her life to God, He redeemed her life and blessed her. God will do the same thing for us as we allow Him to draw us out of those dark places and into a loving relationship with Him. Click To TweetI was heartbroken, emotionally abused, didn’t know my worth, and thought that my only value was in having a boyfriend. My happiness was determined by the attention that I received from men. But God! God had other plans for my life. Plans that I could have never thought of! I’m married, which I never thought I’d be, and I have 3 beautiful children and serve other women in ministry!
What’s my point in sharing all of this? Well, I’m glad you asked! So many of us carry around dead weight from things we’ve done in the past or things that have been done to us. It can be 40 years ago or 5 minutes ago, if we surrender those things to God, He will restore and redeem us. There’s nothing that He can’t or won’t restore!
Nothing is too hard for Him! This is why He sent Jesus to die on the Cross for us, to free us from our sins! If God can do this for Rahab a prostitute and a promiscuous woman like me, He can definitely touch and restore your life as well.
- Rahab, Unlikely Woman of Influence. - May 8, 2018
- The Beauty of Sex in a Godly Marriage - February 22, 2018
Thanks for sharing! Often stories like this of unlikely influence do not make it in mainstream baptist churches or didn’t as I grew up. Yet they are the most needed in life’s struggle today! So thankful & amazed by how God uses all kinds of ppl!
I didn’t hear about these stories in church either when I was younger. Thank you so much for taking time out to read! God bless you!
Such a good truth and one we all need. Everyone has past sin, and everyone needs to turn to Jesus for healing. Trusting in God can be difficult at first, but He is so faithful! Thanks for sharing.
Amen Jennifer, thank you!
So beautifully written. But God. Without those 2 little words…We would be lost wouldn’t we? God is always up to something. We just need to join in on it.
Amen! So true Julie! Thank you❤
God is a God who restores. He can take our pain and make something beautiful if we will surrender. Beautiful post.
Thank you Kat!
This is such a wonderful story of hope and restoration. Our God is such a wonderful God and gracious to all those that cry out to Him.
I love this! So true … we carry around dead weight. If we would surrender it to God, He can redeem it and transform it into something good. Thank you for this beautiful post! ❤
Hi Donna! Yes He can! Thank you so much!
The redemption of Rahab is one of my favorite bible stories. 🙂 Thank you for sharing this encouraging piece!
One of mine as well, thank you Meagan!