Rahab the harlot

Joshua 2 & 6, Matthew 1:5

    A red cloth hangs from a window opened high in a stone wall. The city, Jericho, is completely exposed. Its city walls collapsed ... except for one small section, the wall that houses the home of Rahab, the harlot.
The refugee nation, Israel, had entered the Promised Land, Canaan, after fleeing Egypt and Jericho was the first city to be conquered. God had instructed the Israelites to march around the city and finally shout aloud. The walls of the city miraculously tumbled down.
    After the defeat of the people of Jericho, all eyes turned to this one section of the wall still standing with the scarlet rope of salvation that had allowed two Israeli spies to escape days before - Rahab, the harlot, the foreigner, would be spared to become part of God's plan of salvation as an ancestor to Messiah.
 
“Then Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, 'Go into the harlot's house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her.' ... and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day ...”  Joshua 6:22&25 (~1350BC)

For the kids                                                                                    For teens

There are hard stories in the Bible. Some people may question truths about miracles. Others may ask 'Why?' and question God's actions. The Bible does not retreat from proclaiming the power and sovereignty of God. As well, it is consistent in its position of God's justice and goodness and love ... despite what people may think. Rahab is listed in the 'chapter of faith' found in Hebrews 11. 'By faith Rahab, the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.' (v31) Trust in the Person of God is a key ingredient to God's Way of salvation.



 


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