Rahab – The Harlot in the Genealogy of Christ

by Rex Rouis

I love studying individuals in the Bible, especially those that are included in the genealogy of Christ. Most of them were ordinary people just like you and me. One of the great things about the Bible is that it tells the honest story about everyone. It describes their strengths and weaknesses, their triumphs and disasters. The Bible, after all, is a book of truth. One of my favorite characters is Rahab, the harlot (prostitute), of Jericho.

Salmon and Rahab were the father and mother of Boaz. Boaz and Ruth were the father and mother of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse… Matthew 1:5

She is one of five women mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ; they are Tamar the wife of Judah, Rahab the wife of Salmon, Ruth the wife of Boaz, Bathsheba the wife of King David (after being the wife of Uriah), and Mary the Mother of Jesus. Other then Mary, Rahab is the only one mentioned again in the New Testament.

In James, she is shown as an example of someone justified by God and declared righteous for putting their faith into action.

You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? James 2:24, 25

You cannot receive a higher compliment from a God Who is only pleased by the action of faith (Hebrews 11:6). According to Him, having faith without corresponding actions is not pleasing. That kind of faith is inoperative and dead.

So also faith, if it is unaccompanied by obedience, has no life in it – so long as it stands alone. James 2:17 Weymouth New Testament

Within the list of faith champions in Hebrews Chapter Eleven, Rahab is mentioned right after Moses, and instead of Joshua! Let that sink in. The only other woman mentioned on the list is Sarah, Abraham’s wife and mother of Isaac. It is a high honor to be included in this group of believers.

It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. Hebrews 11:31

She is also the last person mentioned in any detail. After her, the Bible reads:

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets… Hebrews 11:32

It was not by chance that those spies found their way to her house. God had plans for Rahab from before the beginning of time. God sent them there so that she could help them, and by it, obtain righteousness from God. What was it about her that drew God’s attention, that He would single her out for salvation? Perhaps He knew that she would stand up for Him and His people in courageous obedience. Maybe God’s not afraid of strong women.

Let’s look at her story:

Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there. It was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” Joshua 2:1 – 3

The Israelites were still camped on the east side of the Jordan River, approximately 15 miles away from Jericho. But everyone in the area knew they were there and what they were about to do. News of their earlier victories spread quickly, and people from all around would have sought protection within Jericho’s mighty walls. Unfortunately for them, this would be the wrong place to hide.

Joshua sent the spies in, and they ended up at Rahab’s place. She knew what was about to happen and she wanted to be on the Israelite side. Somehow the king of Jericho knew the spies were there and he sent messengers to ask about it. Why he didn’t go in and ransack her place is a mystery. She must have achieved a level of prominence in the city.

But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate. Joshua 2:4 – 7

Rahab lied to the king and told him that they had left earlier before the gates closed for the night. The king’s men believed Rahab, and they went off searching for them. But the spies were safe, for she had hid them on the roof under wet and smelly piles of rotting flax. There is no turning back now.

Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.  For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 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.” So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the Lord gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” Joshua 2:8 – 14

Undoubtedly, some of her traveling customers had come to her telling of the exploits of the Israelites and their mighty God. She had heard enough to make her put her trust in the living God, and she made a life changing profession of faith when she said, “…the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” She then makes the spies swear to spare her and her whole family because of her protection and kindness.

Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall. She said to them, “Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not happen upon you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. Then afterward you may go on your way.” Joshua 2:15, 16

She wisely tells them to go out and stay toward the west of the city, in the opposite direction of their camp so they can hide in the hill country. In three days they can circle back to the east and safely go home.

The men said to her, “We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear,  unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household. It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear.” She said, “According to your words, so be it.” So she sent them away, and they departed; and she tied the scarlet cord in the window. Joshua 2:17 – 21

The spies agree to her terms and tell her to leave a red cord hanging from her window to let them know which home to spare. This cord seems reminiscent of the Passover blood that was spread over the doorways of the Israelite homes back in Egypt when the death angel passed over them.

They departed and came to the hill country, and remained there for three days until the pursuers returned. Now the pursuers had sought them all along the road, but had not found them. Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country and crossed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they related to him all that had happened to them. They said to Joshua, “Surely the Lord has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.” Joshua 2:22 – 24

The spies make it back to camp and relate the whole adventure to Joshua. Apparently, he agrees to spare Rahab and her family because once the city is destroyed, he commands that Rahab and her family be brought out to safety.

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.” So the young men who were spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and her mother and her brothers and all she had; they also brought out all her relatives and placed them outside the camp of Israel.  They burned the city with fire, and all that was in it. Only the silver and gold, and articles of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. However, Rahab the harlot and her father’s household and all she had, Joshua spared; and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day, for she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. Joshua 6:22 – 25

After reading the first five books of the Bible, the last thing you would have expected was for God to go out of His way to save a pagan prostitute in a city that was about to be utterly destroyed because of sin. Every man, woman, child, and animal in Jericho was to be killed and burnt. The only thing God allowed to leave was the gold, silver, bronze, iron (for Him), and, Rahab and her family. There would be nothing else left, and He was adamant about it. One poor soul decided to keep a few things for himself. That proved to be the end of him and his whole family (Joshua 7:24, 25).

The last thing you would have expected was for God to go out of His way to save a pagan prostitute in a city that was about to be utterly destroyed because of sin.
Rahab was accepted into the nation of Israel to such an extent that she was able to marry into the royal family of Judah. She married Salmon, the son of Nahshon. Nahshon was the leader of the tribe of Judah and commanded their army. He was also a close associate of Moses and Joshua, and his sister, Elisheba, was married to Aaron, the first high priest. Rahab’s life is truly a Cinderella story for the ages.

And for the Jewish nation, Rahab came to serve as a successful gentile conversion to Judaism. Her ability to change her ways has encouraged countless generations to seek divine mercy and pardon for their actions and lives. God hates sin, but he loves people. He loves all kinds of people, especially prostitutes. He knows how to save those that love Him and desire to serve Him.

Since the Lord did all this, he knows how to rescue godly people when they are tested. He also knows how to hold immoral people for punishment on the day of judgment. II Peter 2:9 God’s Word Translation

This prostitute happened to be a godly person inside, or at least, a godly person in the making. Be sure to love everyone and be careful not to judge. You have no idea what is going on in the hearts of individuals. And you do not know how far each of them has already come, or how far they are able to go in God.

“He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” Rahab, the ex-harlot

Comments

  1. I find it fascinating that EVERY one of the women in Jesus’ genealogy had a reputation problem. If you were ever going to create a religion, you would certainly edit these out of your hero’s genealogy.
    Rahab – Hers was obvious – she was a prostitute
    Tamar – She had relations with (and a child by) her father-in-law Judah (which is why David was the first legitimate king for Israel – he was the tenth generation separated from that event – Deut 23:2)
    Ruth – She was a Moabitess… a descendant from the incestuous relations of Lot’s daughters with Lot.
    Bathsheba – Without ascribing this as her fault, she nevertheless had a child by adultery with David.
    Mary – Her own betrothed husband suspected her of unfaithfulness until corrected by God. Thirty years later, the pharisees would insult Jesus with that same slur, “We be not born of fornication, we have one father, even God.” They simultaneously slandered Jesus’ origin while arrogating to themselves His title as Son of God.

  2. I’m a bible-believing believer, growing in the word as much as I can.
    Around me are people(also Christians) who question everything, including God and our relationship with Him because of what they see going around; how unfair the world is.
    I try to defend the faith and also explain to them so they aren’t lost, but sometimes I have no defence for some of their questions, and I often find myself questioning the same things – something I feel really guilty about).
    Some of the questions include:
    If God knew man would end up sinning, why did He create man in the first place? Some people are really suffering in this world(especially those that love in war-ridden areas, e.g North Korea), so would you blame them for not believing God exists? Why did God constantly enable the patriachal nature, and women suffering in the Bible(especially the Old Testament)?

    These are just a few I remember, and I would like to be able to give them answers when they ask, but I most times fall short. I believe in God, and even if my faith wavers in some areas, there’s nothing that would change what I know to be true about God and salvation by Jesus Christ, but I don’t want my silence to be the reason my loved ones lose hope in Christianity.
    Why am I commenting this? Because, in the article you mentioned God sending the men Rahab’s way because He had a plan for her and knew that she would stand up for Him and His people. I’m sure if I sent it to some of the loved ones I mentioned, they would ask something like, ‘Why didn’t He give them all a chance?’ and ‘What’s the point since He still predestines some people to be saved and others to die?’ and others like that. So, I guess what I’m asking is why? Especially if you relate it to Pharoah’s case, and God hardening his heart so that he would use Pharoah as a scapegoat example to the nations. (I was also recently asked about that, and while I have what I believe concerning that, I don’t think my answer was substantial for them)

    1. I appreciate your comment and run into this all the time, and partly, I think it is a misunderstanding between God’s will and God’s plan. I may disagree with the writer of this article, but if God has ordained everything like a puppetmaster or clock winder so that it just needs to play out according to a predestined plan, that is nothing less than horrifying. It is also, in my humble study, unbiblical. God’s mind is changed by Moses, Jesus continually offers invitation to follow – some do and some don’t. Free will seems to be alive and well. And God’s will, seen in the lens of Christ, seems to be life for all. God’s will allows for us to choose something different AND for God to be dynamic and react to our choices, continuing to work for our good and the good of all. God does break into the world in life giving ways, but a plan for every thing both assumes every detail is formed out, AND takes away the impact of our sinful choices. This is a BIG discussion, but let me also speak to this story. Rahab was probably NOT of high estate. Living on the outside of the wall and offering her body for money were not signs of status or wealth. Quite the opposite. She may be a sign of some evidence that, as the story of God’s people spread, it was not just their victories, but WHO they were – slaves from Egypt, that caught people’s attention. And there is evidence that, as they conquered, they inspired a kind of peasant revolt in various places. Look where Rahab ends up, married into the royal family. This story is a typology (repeated example) of those on the bottom being lifted up by the liberation of God, who brings life out of death and freedom from slavery. And it may not be of much consolation, but total destruction of a city or a people is language for a complete victory. We may hear that not a child or animal is left standing, and then in the next verse or two, that some in that place were added to their number or they took the treasure and the animals from that place/people. Joshua is still a troubling book in some ways when it comes to war and bloodshed, but these things offer a new way of seeing. As to Pharaoh’s heart hardened by God, or Judas fulfilling his destiny (in John at least), I don’t have great answers, but I think these things are more descriptive than prescriptive. In other words, God is God of all things, so God must have been behind the stubbornness of Pharaoh. Or maybe I’m reaching…

    2. You are headed the right direction. Keep learning about the nature of God, his attributes, his Spirit.
      What you call your faith wavering – just realize nobody understands God completely, nobody. It is not shameful to admit that we don’t understand things, yet that humble admission spurs us to know God better! Realizing that God has a much larger plan than we can ever imagine, and he will direct us into our gift, by the anointing of his Spirit: 1 John 2:27,
      Isaiah 61:1, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16, etc.
      As for why, ask for the miracle of Patience, and keep seeking the Lord, and in his time and as you grow you will develope that understanding.
      God Bless

    3. Jesus gave two commandments when asked which was most important. Love God with all of our heart, soul, strength and MIND. The second is like it, love others as we love ourselves. If it is like it, that would mean we love ourselves and others with all our heart, soul, strength and MIND. Christianity emphasizes Jesus in our hearts far more than minds, and for me at least, it led to 30 some odd years of trying to “figure “ out, through searching scripture, answers to questions and even when I thought I understood I had found the answer something in scripture would contradict what I understood and I was left starting over again. And again. And again. Through my life failures, prostrate on my kitchen floor and with blubbering tears, I gave my heart and my life to Jesus at 25. I’ve been committed to the searching out truth of salvation of the “Logos or word” of God ever since. We are told that when we search for truth with all of our hearts and MIND, that anyone who stearches it will be given to them. There are no rules to what belief system a person is to belong to in that scripture in order that they receive truth, and we are NO ONE to decide there is a rule to imply here.
      I struggled with loving others as myself those 30 years also as I really didn’t know how to love myself and Paul’s teachings confused me about many things including this. Around and around I went often going above and beyond to be a good Christian example and feeling like a fraud often because if I’m being honest I had to often pretend I was non judgmental, and joyful in serving others. Sometimes I totally felt the right things and was on a Jesus love high, other times not so much. I was a house divided against myself. Just because we get really good at pretending not to be a banging gong, doesn’t mean we aren’t one. I was a frustrated true believer with guilt. What I wanted to do I didn’t do, what I didn’t want to do I do. So…
      As instructed, with prayer and supplication I brought all of it to God pursuing him in asking for the utmost truth about what was wrong with me. So I was reminded to look only at the two commandments Jesus gave us because literally everything else hangs on just those two. I began to see that I gave Jesus my whole heart and soul and strength 30 years ago…but God showed me I had not given over my whole mind.
      With my free will and whole heart I gave my whole mind and when I did the mystery of being born again, I finally understood. The amazing freedom, the easy yolk and light burden I understood. I no longer have to search scripture for answers. The kingdom of heaven for me is within me. My mind is the throne of Christ, my heart is the heart of Christ. Since every day his mercies are new and his Grace sufficient, my faith combined with the “work” of asking each new day for the full armor of God I can move through the day with right understanding and judgment. The helmet of salvation is the protection of my mind by putting on, with free will, the mind of Christ every morning.
      I understand now what loving myself is. No matter if I’m confident or a complete doormat that thinks I deserve to be a doormat, I still love myself in this way… I desire food when I’m hungry, shelter to live in, amenities to use for comfort. Even if I’m not getting it, I desire to be respected, to be understood instead of judged. To be accepted as I am. I desire to feel like I matter, to be listened to when I talk, to be cared for, to be patiently strived with. Treated kindly when I may not deserve it, when I’m struggling with inner things that explode outwardly. I desire to be seen and loved. I desire not to be told what to do and how to do it by people who don’t live in my mind or experience my life. We all do, and in that way we love ourselves.
      In loving God with my my mind and heart, being dead to figuring anything out with my limited toolkit of my own mind, the understanding has become limitless.
      He tells us not to teach each other, that is Gods job alone because we are unique, and his salvation is personal and perfect for each one of us. He tells us not to teach and instruct each other because when we are born again his instructions are written in our minds and hearts. We share our stories with each other and rejoice in our personal salvation with each other and in this way we help each other to press forward.
      I ask, directly, my question. I let go of searching teachings of men for answers. I find that each and every understanding I ask for is revealed to me at some point after asking. Revealed in my mind and confirmed with the love I feel in my heart when I understand. I find that when I understand, it comes with compassion and without personal judgment on anyone, even myself. Judging actions and situations correctly because I need not judge the person whom it is impossible for me to know the heart and mind of and what made them the unique person they are to do such things as they do. It is not my job to judge or teach them anything but Gods alone. I am free. They are free. It isn’t my job to teach anyone anything. It isn’t our job to defend the teaching of anyone except for Christ and Christ alone. Sharing the gospel, as it is all we are called to do is wrapped up completely in those two commandments. Leave the teaching to God.
      In this way, the understanding and amazing freedom of love has revealed truth to me.
      The apostles were men, therefore their teaching of anything outside of the gospel Jesus taught is bath water. Adhering to their teachings led me to guilt, shame, and confusion I was never meant to carry. It has caused people to search their teachings more than than going directly to the teacher and remaining there for the revealed answers. Worse yet, it has caused people who would be saved to throw the baby out with the bath water.
      Paul in particular has more influence over Christian rules and regulations than any others. He was a man. He gave us absolutely wonderful wording about the truths of Christ. He also did the one thing Jesus said not to do, be teachers of others thinking ourselves somehow more able to receive in our minds and heart more than others.
      I have asked for the truth and nothing but the highest form of truth about everything I ask. I am commanded not to fear in anything so with my free will I choose not to be afraid of what I come to know.
      The truth sets me free, the truth of the baby stands out from the bath water and I’m not afraid to know that or stand in it in front of believers who attack me for it. Christ only. Christ only frees us and teaches us. If you want understanding, go only to the source. If you want fellowship sharing the understanding with one another go to each other. If those asking you questions are asking because they want to engage in proving your faith wrong, you are wasting your time and energy. The only thing for us to do is to follow the two commandments, which in turn make us a mystery of peace and joy that non believers don’t have or understand. When they ask questions beyond the answer of how it is we live in such a state, it’s not for us to teach them. It’s simply for us to invite them to live the same truth. Then they can ask their personal savior themselves and repeat.
      That’s it. That’s my only job.

    1. The confession of Rahab is very true that accepts her to enter in the kingdom of God it’s to me and my friends to be the same like Rahab the harlot thank you for your encouragement.

    2. Sometimes I feel like I’m unclean. I fail, I sin. Then I remember the scripture that says “If my heart condemns me, God is greater than my heart and knows all things.”

  3. It’s so amazing and quite interesting that the the two great grandmothers of Jesus Christ ( Rehab and Ruth) came from a condemned nations.

    1. What an AMAZING expose of this part of God’s Word!!
      Proof that He can and will use a vessel of any condition for His Own Glory! What an AWESOME GOD WE SERVE!!

  4. Great read…..I sought out intel on Rahab for a reason, curious about a prostitute being allowed to be in the genealogy of Christ….and renowned and well spoken of. Here is a hypothesis I am developing:
    Every single client who ever lay with her was killed in one day, in essence Rahabs “body count” was wiped clean. If you study the cases of Bathsheba, Abigail, Ruth, etc….they were all widows by one way or another, no female is in the line of Christ who is not physically CLEAN, and Christ himself said that a divorced woman who’s husband still exists commits adultery and the man who marries her. The pattern is evident, the entire Bible endorses one male DNA doner from virginity to death for a female, and only upon the death of the FIRST doner is she FREE to marry again. See Romans. Consider Dinah, her brothers essentially saved her purity by whacking the kid that raped her. Rahab was given a golden pass because every guy who smashed her was slaughtered in the same day. Bad news indeed for modern women.

    1. Even worse news for the men they have been with if she is chosen to have a clean start 😏

      1. The ONLY other reason why God will allow divorce is : fornication, or infidelity ( husband or wife cheating on the other ) that God will allow for remarriage.

        1. I’ve often wondered about that and not sure I agree with you. God does allow divorce for infidelity or if your spouse is a non-believer and chooses to leave, but I don’t see anywhere it allows for remarriage except in the case of death.

    2. What about “the news” for the whoremongers?

      I used to be sure to point out the truth of the NT story of truth, while I homeschooled my 6 children for God’s glory, regarding: the “Holy men…” who threw the harlot down at Jesus’ feet”… for judgement against both Jesus and her. Hmmm… how did they get her? Whom were they protecting!? Another “Holy man…” lol.

      GOD said : “Despisest thou the grace of God?” Well?

      I never say any of this out loud; mostly because Christ forgave me in full! And as your commentary (Tony) which I am responding to, reminds me to remember: “Sin began with one man and one woman in the garden of Eden! Since then, the devil, the world an the flesh just LOVE to carry out that battle in any possible evil way in which they are able to, to kick over that bucket:) I like preventing the bucket kick. LORD is our peace; HE tells us to hold our peace! HOLD on to JESUS. In addition to holding HIM, HE LOVES TRUTH; HE IS TRUTH; therefore I am adding this truth to the peace.

      Now I am going to ask this very, very, very unspoken thought into this arena; an arena that specifically highlights the complete, undeserved and whole love of JESUS CHRIST, our GOD; how could this be “Bad news for women today…” and with no total mention (as usual) of what it takes (according to my HOLY Scriptures) for two people to have unmarried/adulterous sexual contact? It takes a man and a woman. (visa vie – fornication) Where are “the men” that this is “bad news” also for? How short sighted and “Adam-n-Eve” like it seems that your commentary is.
      Funny, you are commenting on a portion of scripture in which the LORD highlights that HE forgives “whomsoever” but then you highlight “one” type of a sinner in your conclusion. Women are some of the most rescued and favored people in the Bible (again-as the scriptures herein are exhibiting…) and not by our own merit but because of GOD’S love!!!! Solo!!! So I am a tiny bit amused, a little frustrated and a whole lot empathetic, as I fail in my thoughts daily as well; but can we all agree that Rahab was fornicating WITH MEN who came to get her services and pay for them! Yet, why are “women” always to blame? Without customers, any retailer goes out of business, therefore without customers any harlot will go out of business easily. Why she was in her place there, GOD knows. Society then, now, and until Jesus returns is pushing women and children to the side and often because of childish and non-God-fearing men refuse to repent and usually involving sexual, hidden sins.

      What a day it was when the church FINALLY started to talk openly about how “75% or more, of the men in church buildings” were viewing porn on screens in secret. Unfortunately that came 12 years too late in my home in which the 3 enemies had raged in battle against my children and I due to a porn loving man’s lustful desires, whom I used to call my husband. I would lie if I ever said that “this isn’t a sore spot with me.” I have forgiven him and do forgive him daily. Praying daily for my children to heal; having divorce but hating it like JESUS and spending every mental and emotional resource I owned (and all of my LORD’s in me too…. ) to survive his sick lust which his Dad shamed him into pursuing at age 16; well, these very common truths and realities has me a bit rejecting of your conclusions on “women”. Selfish pursuits of men keep poorly treated women in the “harlot” business probably 99% of the time! I am happy I was not one ever yet my Dad’s lack of time spent ensuring I knew he cherished me—sometimes the trigger can be that simple for a sweet young lady to veer off in search of love or at least housing versus the streets. Get real.

      Who runs “the island” of perverts who steal children and women where Epstein and God knows who-abuse them for their sick lusts daily? It isn’t women. Who pays exorbitant amounts of time and money to seek, get, and hide fornicational and ungodly and abusive sexual fulfillments ? Mostly men; I do hear of some poor, sick, evil women out there who apparently help market children for money but GOD is clear about the love of money being the root of every kind of evil.
      God judges alone. But we women are made in HIS beautiful and perfect image and when we are HIS (which I am )…we are made to speak the truth in love and fearfully and wonderfully express our thoughts with intelligence.

      Truth is, GOD sees all. GOD is right here watching me type and I don’t sense HIM in displeasure at all as I do so. Women are the most abused people on the planet because of sin and because GOD let men be in charge. They will be held so accountable too.
      Thank you for understanding, Tony and/or dear reader, that grace goes to Rahab and Ruth and David who killed Urias (in his honorability to be out there battling for the “snake” who took his wife behind his back). Why GOD let David in his lineage is also beyond me. Poor Abigail; one loser dies then David had to fulfill his fleshs’ lustful wants. Yet JESUS permitted it all exactly like HE permits you and I into HIS kingdom. Please repent or think more deeply about a truth set before you “wing” an insult to LORD’s beloved women. I am weary of the “blue” blaming the “pink” when so often the “pink” get no say or choice in so many of these outcomes. please stand up for women and our children with love; not insults.

      It is by grace though faith by which you have been saved lest any man should boast. Thank you Jesus.

      1. Dear CC: Thank and bless you for your response. While I embrace the PCA’s Reformed Gospel , I nonetheless recoil and chafe at the often insidiously-toxic patriarchy therein. Perhaps I can go into more detail at a later time one on one, Lord willing, but since you wrote so powerfully about grace through faith, here is a fine piece you’ll enjoy:

        https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/the-riddleblog/the-basics-the-covenant-of-grace

        May the Lord free me from the bitter root so I can love, trust and serve Him more!

      2. Thank you so much. I read through Tony’s comment and I felt condemned, irredeemable… Your message was all I needed to see God loves me regardless of my past sin as a young lady.

      3. There is much that can be written on this, to much to list here, but to me the important things are:
        Rehab was smart and shrewd and looking for a better way. By hearing the stories of triumph she gained confidence enough to put her faith to action and said I am tired of this life as I know it, and she knew the signs of a winner. She made the conscious decision to go with God.
        She was aware, but she was not afraid, as she openly confessed the terror of Israel came upon the whole area yet she still said she would sign on. She knew enough to put personal feelings aside.
        She was not worried about condemnation, the view of her work, or anything the whole town would say.
        She held on to what was important, “God”, and how He used Israel and her hope for God making her a way in life.
        NO one is without sin and those who have taken a bad road know the truth in that road that others can only speculate on. We often find that the ones that appear to be good are bad. But conversely the ones who have made the conversion to light and truth have the personal conviction there is no going back and will stop at nothing to stay the course God set and train others in what to avoid. Yet they have sympathy and love for those who have been in same positions.
        Mat 19:26 “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Also, Those who have been forgiven much love much.
        Women and men both can burn with passions and desires that one or the other do not or cannot willingly fulfill or cannot discern if its inappropriate to fulfill. Many dont pray over unhealthy habits, hurts, learned behavior, divisions, in a relationship so both can be healed and made whole and be changed. Some dont learn that emotions and desires can be changed by asking God to help and change the very fabric of emotions so that couples can find true joy in one another. God does answer questions about your partner and gives insight as to why they are like this. Also addressing demonic activity in either partner that is very toxic to any relationship can be dealt with. But the truly sad thing is changing partners does not change the person, it only makes them comfortable in a new set of circumstances. The more we latch onto the power of God, take hold of our inheritance in Christ that God has laid up for us the more we see the possibilities and pray powerfully for people and circumstances in our lives. We begin to understand we are powerful not powerless, in confronting relationships and in every area of our lives, even in areas of intimacy.
        2Ti 1:7  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. This is the base, of men and women anything outside of this is not from God. People and the enemy condemn, but God understands and brings us to areas in our lives so that we can truly see ourselves, and then we can ask forgiveness and decide to change, with Him. No one is to far gone for God, unless they decide and die before God can change them. Because no one except God knows that persons heart, not even them. Know no man after the flesh, but after the spirit, Just as God did with David.
        For what He has done for ME, HE will do for YOU!

      4. Love it and agree 100%. So much to say about David and how disgusting he was.

    3. Tony, you are wrong to hypothesize a such. We are not to go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6). There could have easily been clients from outside of Jericho. Why are you speaking such an unbiblical theology? Rahab was saved by her faith and included in the bloodline of Jesus according to God’s will. God can qualify anyone for any purpose he sees fit.

      God does not make us holy, through the death of other people in our life. We are made holy and saved by his righteousness. God wanted to destroy Jericho for them to inherit the land. Rahab was spared from the destruction because of her faith in God.

      I leave this verse here for anyone with such a past. Trust God.
      Romans 8:1-4
      1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

      2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

      3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

      4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

      If it took the murder of other people or “erasing of everyone” in our past, then we wouldn’t be able to come to Jesus before “erasing” people. This is a wicked idea.

      1. This is right on. Outside of the written truth is speculation. It can even be fun to speculate or imagine “the rest of the story” or to estimate the motives behind the characters in the Bible. However and as usual, to God be the glory” and the best we can do in His eyes is to trust and obey as did Rahab.

        1. I believe God chose Rehab in the D.N.A. bloodline of Jesus Christ and God chose Rehab from strategic perspective because for one thing her house was in the wall so it made a place for the 2 spies to escape and since she was a prostitute most people would not suspect a thing

          It must have been one of her disgruntled clients to snitched of Rehab to the king

    4. Keep doing those mental gymnastics bud. God doesn’t care about a “body count” – only you do.

  5. In our daily dealing with human beings, we must not right off anybody, because the very person that is tagged ‘dirty’ or ‘alien’ can turn out to be the medium by which our future can be secured.

    1. Yeah I agree with you. Hope my God works on me to not judge anyone. Only God can do that. And He can surely transform them and use them if he wants too. He is an awesome God

    2. This truly blessed and made me pick my Bible to read the story of Rahab again… We thank God for we are justified. I also learnt to act on our faith …we need to act like what we believe for it could counted as unto righteousness for us.

  6. I believe you kind of have it backwards or I am reading it wrong you are not justified by your works but by your faith Rahab was not justified by her action but by the faith that led her to her actions

  7. I think after I read this about Rahab. That it shows us that God [Jesus, Holy Spirit] is not just for the Jews that he loved the Gentiles as well. He has used many different people of different back grounds . God knows our hearts.

    1. I don’t think she was a prostitute she was a business person. In those days Jews didn’t give women their place and because she was a business person, “perhaps an hotel owner” or a sewing person.

      1. that is the problem you don’t think! or your not thinking which ever;
        the bible says Harlot, prostitute whore which ever! stop trying to soft peddle sin, this event needs to represent how depraved man is and how righteous God is! You cannot be saved until your lost. just read the bible the way it is and stop watering it down.

      2. The book of truth the Bible recorded she was a harlot. That’s it Ma’am. God bless you

      3. bro, her name is Rahab to HARLOT, all are welcome to the loving arms of Christ, but its literally in the name.

      4. bro, her name is Rahab the HARLOT, all are welcome to the loving arms of Christ, but its literally in the name.

      5. Good point, that would explain her relationship to the king she may have had a brothel and her residence being on the wall kinda like a condo.

      6. Def could be true! Conservatives think any woman outside the home must be selling her body in some way.

  8. The genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ brings out soul searching questions about the mind of Jehovah God. From the human perspective we would have expected it to have a line of the so called clean people. But it is not so. Rahab, a pagan prostitute; Ruth, a gentile woman;Perez , son of Judah born from his own daughter in law; Solomon, born from Bathsheba who was another man ‘s ,Uriah, whom David killed by planing that he be put in the battle front. I see that it is really difficulty to understand God s mind. What He does is always right and can not be questioned. Nowonder He is sovereign. It also goes to show that we can not go on condemning people for their evil acts but to pray for them. For we don’t know who they will be tomorrow

    1. Israel, God always identified people by their occupation. And Richard, Faith WITHOUT works is dead.

      What we “think” has no bearing on what God Knows.

      And if you ever read in the New Testament, you’ll observe that Jesus ALWAYS restored women back to a place of honor!

      A few examples:
      The Woman at the well
      The Woman with the issue of blood
      The Woman caught in the act of adultery– and I note: when she was brought to Jesus–she was naked!
      Mary Magdalene

      All were ostracized by society– yet– Jesus loved each of them, corrected and healed them, and Graciously restored them back into places of honor!

      Our responsibility as Believers is to Restore people– not reject them, or put our hands against them in any way– unless they are folded in prayers for them 🛐

  9. There is debate whether the Rahab in Jesus lineage is the same we see in the book of Joshua but there’s a lot of debate on a lot of things concerning the Bible and timelines are definitely in a lot of them. What we can’t question, though, is that the Rahab in the book of Joshua is definitely the same mentioned in the gallery of faith in Hebrews 11, therefore, I think this article adds positively to the understanding of God’s love and how He operates. The theme in this article aligns with the parable of the Prodigal Son used by Jesus himself. As far as I was told, that son who left should have received a very different treatment had the Jewish law been applied to him according to that culture and time. So, I would not be surprised if in all those references it was the same Rahab. and some day we would find out that the dates were the ones that were wrong. Thank you for writing! It was a great article either way!

      1. FaithMechanic – I don’t normally respond to people’s comments. I just read them and pass. However, after reading the quarter-way through the article you commended to Miriam in the link you provided, I felt I should register my thoughts. Though I appreciate the background given by the author through the maps – I struggled with the time-lines. I may be wrong, but I don’t think the following are correct: 1. The period between Elizabeth’s and Mary’s conception,
        2. The ages of Mary and Joseph during the time when Mary received the news that she was going to conceive,

        These prompt me to doubt the whole narrative of the article.

        The little that I know is that Joseph, before he was engaged to Mary, was previously married and had children.

        I stand to be corrected.

        Based on the above, I could therefore not continue reading through this article because I started doubting all of it.

        I’m sorry I don’t mean you should throw away the article and everything you believe in it through out the years you mentioned you read it.

        1. Author

          Wamafu,

          Thank you for your comment. Here are my answers:

          1. The angel tells Mary that it in the 6th month with Elizabeth in Luke 1:26. Mary stayed with Elizabeth another 3 months until John is born. That would be a total of 9 months for Elizabeth to be pregnant, which is normal.
          2. The ages of Mary and Joseph are not given in scripture. These ages are the general custom for that time. There is a Catholic belief that Joseph was much older than Mary, and that he was a widower with the four boys and sisters. They believe this because they believe that Mary stayed a virgin throughout her whole life – The Perpetual Virgin. I, and most Protestants, do not believe this. We believe that Joseph was a normal young man of first time marrying age.

          God bless you my Brother
          Rex

    1. Indeed,we see an unclean genealogy but our King Jesus is born out of the unclean genealogy.We too can come out of our sins.

      1. If a black pot is used to prepare pap, is there no chance of the pap coming out great in whatever colour the content is? Yes. Mary has a family and Joseph did. Sinners may not be unavailable in their family but at that time, they are both clean. Anything else is secondary. God is full of mercy and full of justice as well. He discharges those as He pleases. I Whatever God does is righteous and good.

    2. What me I can say it is that trust believe, have faith in God that is all .it is well with all of us

  10. Let me ask a question.
    This is a thing you want to think about .
    It says in the Bible that “ The lord is my shepherd I shall not want”.
    What does I shall not want mean to you.
    What it means to me is I shall not want anything in other words you have now if you believe everything you need now.

    1. Its like the saying”waste not, want not”
      Don’t waste because, otherwise you will be in want. You will lack what you wasted.
      If you make Jesus your shepard, you’ll never be in want.

    2. John,

      The “shall not want” phrase actually means God will provide. You shall not lack. Sometimes the older English translations are foreign to us.

    3. John, I asked this same question, and I went to my Hebrew concordance.

      First– we have to understand the role of the Shepard, as– it was the Shepard’s responsibility to lovingly care for, provide for and look after the sheep.

      The Shepard led the sheep to the proper places to graze and safe places to drink from, (because running waters would drown the sheep).

      The word Want, from the Hebrew concordance means: “I shall not lack, be in need or be without.”

      As Believers, we are to consistently, look to our Heavenly Father as our provider, of all things! Spiritually, Physically, and Materially!

  11. I love this. May God forgive us our trespasses and have mercy on us as He did for this biblical Rahab

    1. God has already forgiven your sin. Believe in the gospel. Hebrews 10:17

  12. Paul told the Corinthian church not to associate with some sinners indulged in adultery, not even to eat with them until they repented of this sin. Your comments on Paul’s instructions in dealing with this issue. especially in family relations.

    1. Author

      Otto – I don’t know. This is a hard one. Jesus ate with sinners, and the religious of the day did not like it. Paul’s comments are primarily aimed at hypocrisy among believers, of which family members could be a part. We are told not to judge in the sense of executing a sentence on them, but we are also told to judge in the sense of not imitating that sinful behavior.

      I personally eat with them but I try not to enter too deeply into a common bond or camaraderie with them. Tough call. Thanks for the comment. We love you. Rex

    2. Otto, I think if no one ever sits down with them, they cant ever get saved. Paul is actually referring to those in the church that are unrepentant and misbehaving. Rahab was not yet saved. When people state they are followers of Jesus and then behave like world, then you need to read up on what Paul is saying to the Church.

  13. Woow wonderful ???I am really happy this afternoon because your message has been blessed me thanks.

    1. Truly blessed to have found this. Great reminder. I tweeted it out.
      Keep up the good work!

  14. Woooooooow, that is so AWESOME!!!!! Indeed, GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD!!!!! From this, it is clear that indeed, not only is God, LOVE, but HE is also, not a respecter of persons, HE RESPECTS FAITH!!! I remember I heard Pastor Webb say it like this, those works are more like -“corresponding actions”. So they are actions that correspond with what you say you believe for.

    Thanks so much for this. It has been long since I last came here But I am glad I did.

  15. Thank You Wendy. I surely appreciate you being a part of my life on a daily blessings. I have been a apart of your teachings for years and I must say I am never disappointed. God continues to increase me through each and every teaching and lesson you provide. Your labor of love for us is definitely not in vain. As for me, I think I have reacted in every you listed with what do I do then. I have found through each and every reaction that God remained faithful to me in showing me who he was. Especially during my rebellious times. Even though out of some of those moments I got just what I asked for and the consequences to go with them. He still brought me through those tough consequences and I often see the blessings that were still able to come out of those situations. In some situations God went beyond my expectations. I am still learning how to handle my Israelite moments and fight the urges to back to Egypt. The what do I do then or shall I say now is a new experience every time. Thank You again. I am a little behind but I am hanging in there, taking my time for heart knowledge and produce change within me instead of keeping up with the time.

    1. Cudi – I just read your comment on the Rahab article by Rex Rouis. Your words reveal that the Hand of GOD is working within you in a beautiful way and is giving you a depth of understanding in the workings of His Grace. I especially appreciated what you said about “reaping the consequences of your actions,” but GOD graciously took you through those consequences … and out to the other side, perhaps a little bit singed, but still washed in the Blood of Heaven’s Lamb! He is WITH you – and in the end, isn’t that all that really matters?

  16. >>In James, she is an example of someone justified by God and declared righteous for putting their faith into action.

    By putting your faith into action you can tell who’s side you’re on … 😉

    Nice article Rex

    Carl

    1. Author

      Carl – Thank you. Yes, it is interesting that the God who knows everything still wants to be shown our faith by our actions. Maybe it must be presented as evidence in the Heavenly Court. Study the terms ‘gained approval,’ ‘obtained the testimony,’ and ‘obtained the witness’ found in Hebrews 11:2, 4, 5. Maybe faith is the ‘evidence’ that is mentioned in Hebrews 11:1. Also, the word translated ‘substance’ in the King James Bible, was also used for the legal term ‘title-deed.’ See – Faith Is ‘hupostasis’ – Hebrews 11:1

      Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. King James Bible

      Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. Christian Standard Bible

      This ‘faith’ is the divinely inspired sanction of God for a specific purpose or thing, but it must be acted upon for it to come alive. That is the context and meaning of James 2:17. These actions are not the ‘self-righteous’ works mentioned in Romans 4:4, 5. God bless you. Rex

    2. This was so well put and to me right on point led by truth wisdom and what God is about in this circumstances and perspective. Thank you for this I am so glad I stumble across it. I believe that God wants all if us to change and learn and do the right thing and it’s never to late each day I strive to be better I no right from wrong I have things to over comet that I know are not of what God would approve of. I know I need prayer wisdom, courage and strengthen,. It so easy for people too assume or judge some one. My grandmother would say go clean your own porch before you try and come clean mine I always loved that saying or busy so busy in fixing yourself you have no time to worry about anyone else

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