Continuing on with women in the Bible, this week I will be speaking about a prostitute or harlot better known as Rahab. If you ask someone “do you know who Rahab is in the Bible?” They will probably say “she was a prostitute.” Everyone may know her as the prostitute who saved spies and in turn was spared her life as well as her families.
The reason her life was spared, was because she hid spies who went into the city from being captured. She made them give her an “oath” or “their word” that if she helps them, they would, in turn, make sure that she and her family are spared when they come, raid, and take over the city. As I was studying this story of Rahab a few things popped up and made me think of how GREAT God is.
Joshua 2:1 says “Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two men as spies from the Acacia Grove, saying, “Go and scout the land, especially Jericho.” So they left, and they came to the house of a woman, a prostitute named Rahab, and stayed there.” HCSB.
Out of all the houses in the land of Jericho, they go straight to a prostitute’s house. This is where they were able to find safety. Some believe they went there because there was a lot of “traffic” going in and out of the home. Men would usually go to the house after they had performed business. The spies did it a little different and went to the house first and performed no business within Jericho. The king hears of this and tells Rahab to bring the spies to him. What do you think she does?! She lies! She says she did see them, but they left, and to search for them outside the city.
Rahab wasn’t just a prostitute who slept around. She was educated, she knew about politics in the land, she heard stories of miracles that were performed by God. One would say she kept up with the daily news.
She then tells the spies “Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” Joshua 2:12-13 NASB
This tells us that she had FAITH in our God. She believed that God was able to perform miracles and save others, so he could do it for her too! The spies kept their word and saved her and her family. The rest of the city of Jericho was destroyed.
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. Many just see Rahab as a prostitute who slept around for money. God didn’t see her that way. He saw her differently, He saw a woman who He could use for His glory. The spies went directly to her home, they didn’t go to anyone else’s home, and they went to her’s specifically!
That means that God set her apart, God appointed her, God chose her, God used her, God protected her. God did all of these things for a “prostitute!” So, just because man saw her as a harlot, did not mean that God saw her as one. He saw past her, He saw into her future, He saw how she would change a generation.
Rahab was still in the middle of her mess. But despite her current circumstance, her current occupation, it was her FAITH in God that saved her. Her faith not only saved her, but also saved her family! God saw past her current situation; he saw her heart, he saw her faith in Him.
Rahab goes on to get married to Salmon. Even though the spies remained nameless, scholars believe that Salmon was one of the spies. I say she goes on to change a generation, because of the lineage she produces. She gives birth to the famous Boaz. Many know Boaz as the man who marries Ruth which is probably the most told love story in the Bible.
So, despite Rahab’s past, she was still able to raise a God-fearing, successful, wealthy man of Valor. Her lineage doesn’t stop there. You can read Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1 and in this chapter you will see how she was part of the lineage of Jesus! (link below for those who don’t believe me!)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1&version=NIV
Now going back to the title of this message, “God WILL still use you despite your current circumstance!” If he did it for Rahab, He surely can do it for you! Rahab’s story is powerful in so many ways. YOUR story is just as powerful. Don’t get down on yourself for not being in what you think is the “perfect” situation. Take the first step of FAITH and see how God protects you and uses you to change a generation!
Thank you so much, my faith in God is now stronger than it was this morning. I believe despite my past God will use me and not only me but my children also.
Irene, God has a way of using those that people thought were counted out. Just because man may have thought you were not good enough, God will look to your future and think you are more than good enough
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