“And Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household. and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho” (Joshua 6:25).
IT IS DIFFICULT TO READ the story of Jericho’s destruction, especially the role of Rahab “the harlot” without several questions arising: Was she, in fact, a woman who led a bad life? Why did she hide the spies knowing that this act could cost her her life? How did God reward her faith?
The answer to the first question is provided by The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary where it states that the use of the Hebrew word month (harlot) throughout the OT, and its translation in Hebrew 11:31 and James 2:25, denotes a woman leading a debased life. So Rahab, in addition to being a heathen, was also a prostitute.
Why did she hide the spies, risking her life in this way? Because somehow Rahab had learned of the wonders God had done for Israel: “ ‘For we have heard,’ ” said Rahab, “ ‘how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed’ ” (Joshua 2:10). The inhabitants of Jericho also knew of these feats, but at no point did they show that they wanted to submit to the God of Israel. However, Rahab recognized the sovereignty of the Most High in unmistakable terms: “ ‘For the Lord your God,’ ” she declared, “ ‘He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath’ ” (v. 1 l).
And to think that Rahab lived in the midst of a culture full of gods, and saturated with sexual rituals! Nevertheless, her faith was first revealed by saving the lives of the two Israelite messengers (vv. 2—7). Then, as she followed their instructions to the letter—she placed the red cord in the window of her house (v. 21), and gathered her relatives under her roof so that they would not perish (Joshua 6:22—25). Finally, she “waited in God” for the fulfillment of the promise, in the sense that her family would not be destroyed. No wonder the apostle James-in illustrating the truth that faith without works is dead—mentions Rahab’s name next to the name of Abraham (James 2:25)!
How did God reward Rahab’s faith? Today’s text answers, “So she dwells in Israel to this day” (Joshua 6:25). Until the day of her death, Rahab enjoyed, along with her family, the blessings promised to Abraham’s descendants. Rahab the heathen. Rahab the harlot.
That is why I say that our God is simply wonderful!
My heart praises You. heavenly Father,
Because no matter how dark our past has been, You forgive us in Christ and accept us as members of Your chosen people.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
