Women in the Bible - Rahab

The harlot Rahab is a good example of the power of God’s grace to save.  She rose above her wrong doings and became godly in spite of them.  Rahab became famous among Israel and her name is written in the book of Hebrews along with other great men and women of faith. 

    The action begins in an old historical city, Jericho.  One of the great Old Testament warriors, Joshua, secretly sends two spies to invade the land.  As they quickly make their way through the hills and valleys, they come upon a house build on huge walls surrounding the city, the home of Rahab.  She promises to hide them because she believes firmly in their God.

    When the king of Jericho heard two spies had visited Rahab, he sent a message telling her to bring the men out as they were spying on the land.  She told the authorities that two men had visited, but left at dusk.  She had really taken them up on her roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.

   After they left, Rahab, moving swiftly, went out on the roof.  Not realizing the power of her confession, she told the spies, “I know that the Lord has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in the country are melting in fear because of you.” Joshua 2:9   This was vital information to the spies.

   She bargained with the spies, asking them to spare her family.  She explained that since she had been kind in hiding them, she now expected the kindness in return.

    The men assured her that her family would be saved.  She had the option of becoming a hero to her city by turning over the spies, or protecting them.  She made a crucial choice by allowing the spies to escape through the window.  Before leaving, they told her to tie a scarlet cord in her window.  What the blood on the doorposts on the first Passover night in Egypt was to the house of Israel, the scarlet cord in the window was to the house of Rahab.  Her courage and obedience saved her family from the enemy.

   Even though Rahab was called a harlot, she later became a woman of such faith that she could declare to the enemy, “the Lord God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”  God’s grace was seen mightily when His plan for Israel was accomplished through Rahab.

   The power of the gospel is for today!  You also can become a woman of faith.  No matter where you are in life, you can rise above your situation if you will only believe in God.