Art used by permission from Christian Dare Art
By faith the prostitute Rahab,
because she welcomed the spies,
was not killed with those who were disobedient
(Heb 11:31).
In the plains of Jericho, a gentile harlot heard of the Hebrew’s God . . . and believed. She believed theirs was a living God who parted the sea and defeated neighboring kings.
Before prophets spoke the words from God that a Messiah would come, she believed.
What can we learn by remembering Rahab?
From Rahab we learn of patience. How long did she wait? From the time she hid the spies on her roof until their return, how long did that cord for deliverance and protection hang from her window? Some scholars say as much as three weeks.
Imagine that first day the priests marched around the fortress carrying the Ark of the Lord. They never attempted to enter the city gate. They marched . . . and left. Then, again, the next day. And the next. For six days she saw them come . . . and go.
She waited. She hoped. By faith, she endured.
And hers was a faith that brought about righteousness. James wrote, "In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?" (Jas 2:25). Though a sinner, she had faith that moved her to act rightly.
Hers was the faith-in-action James referred to in 2:17-18. She heard, she believed, she acted. She involved herself in the plan of God. She hid the men and she covered for them. (Risky!) She diverted the search team. (Bravely!) She negotiated for her family. (Boldly!) She obeyed their instruction for a visible sign. She gathered her loved ones together. She waited. All verbs spawned by faith.
Remembering Rahab is to recognize her concern that salvation was granted to her family. She was not content with only her own salvation. For her to be satisfied with her salvation meant her family also had to be saved.
Scarlet flowed down,
Walls fell down;
She was given a new start,
A new life in the family of God.
She left that old, sinful life behind,
to be interjected into the line of the Messiah.
Can you see any parallels in her story with yours?
God placed Rahab’s story on eternal pages—that we might remember that He came to save sinners who believe . . . and act accordingly.
Sovereign Lord; Give me a faith so bold as Rahab’s, with patience to wait and concern for the salvation of others—all the while trusting You with the new life You have graced.