Rahab:Unashamed

If we were to be known, only by our first name and profession, I would be Donna the Realtor.  My husband would be Joe the Teacher, then there’s Steve the Dentist; Karli the Marketing Director; Stacey the Artist and so on, you get the picture.  Now consider our next woman in the lineage of grace, Rahab, Rahab the Prostitute, to be exact. Of the several times she is mentioned in scripture, both old and new testaments, her name is followed by her line of work, except for Matthew’s entry.  In spite of her job, and the fact that she was not Jewish, God was able to use this strong woman in His Master plan. Read her story in the Old Testament book of Joshua, chapters 2-6. What was it that he saw in her?  The general population, you and I  included, would find it difficult to see beyond who she was, and what she “did”.  But isn’t it just like God to use the very ones we would dismiss as tainted and unworthy….hmm, just like we once were.  But I digress.  When Moses sent spies into the promised land, they were to report back on how tough it was going to be to invade Jericho.  The walls were said to be so thick that a two chariot  could pass by each other on them!  Another impossible circumstance to overcome.  Well, the spies entered the city, and when their whereabouts was found out, Rahab the Prostitute hid them. Why?  My guess is that God somehow communicated his plan to her through the spies, she believed, was willing to comply, and was rewarded for it.  “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” Hebrews 11:31.  As we all know, the Jericho’s walls came tumbling down as Joshua blew his trumpet. Rahab and her family members were brought to safety, and she chose to stay with the nation of Israel. Eventually she married Salmon, perhaps he was one of the spies, and gave birth to Boaz who will figure in our next heroine’s life.  Despite her ethnicity, religion and career choice, God called her to himself, and she was to become a great great great grandmother of our Lord Jesus!!  This story convinces me that no one is ever out of God’s reach; their shame never too “dirty” to be purified by his amazing grace. Now if that isn’t good news, I don’t know what is!!