In the Bible, it’s common for the least likely characters to become heroes. Take Moses and Esther, for example.
Rahab’s job as a prostitute should have kept her on the fringes of society, unable to help anyone, including her own people or the Israelites. Yet, she becomes the hero of the story.
Rahab not only understands Israel’s God, but she also knows about their exodus from Egypt and the defeat of nearby kings.
“I know that the Lord has given you the land and that dread of you has fallen on us and that all the inhabitants of the land melt in fear before you.”
“As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any of us because of you. The Lord your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below” (Joshua 2:9 and 11).
Rahab shows us the importance of understanding who God is and what He’s doing. One of the best ways to do this is by immersing ourselves in God’s life.
We can do this by reading the Bible, talking to God about what we’ve read, studying history, and living in alignment with God’s will.
We will be well served if we follow the instructions Jesus gave to the seven churches of Revelation.
“Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (Revelation 2:7).
Rahab and Her Family
The Hebrew spies owed their lives to Rahab. In return, she asked them to spare her and her family.
This wasn’t part of their mission from Joshua, but they agreed. As we continue reading, we see that they kept their promise.
Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the Lord that you in turn will deal kindly with my family.
Give me a sign of good faith that you will spare my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them and deliver our lives from death.”
The men said to her, “Our life for yours! If you do not tell this business of ours, then we will deal kindly and faithfully with you when the Lord gives us the land” (Joshua 2:12-14).
Many people in the Bible remain unnamed. This doesn’t mean they were unimportant; their names just weren’t mentioned.
Rahab, an outsider and a prostitute, served God’s people. Her name appears three times in the New Testament, each in a significant context.
In Matthew 1:5, Rahab is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as the mother of Boaz.
She is included in the “Hall of Faith” as an example of a person who was saved by faith. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies with peace (Hebrews 11:31).
In James 2:25, she is used as an example of how faith is demonstrated through works. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
I have often reflected on Jesus’ words: “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first” (Matthew 19:30).
I am confident that many “last place” finishers on earth will have a “first place” experience in heaven. Rahab may be one who heads that list.
Let’s make sure that we don’t overlook the marginalized persons in our circle of influence.
The Crimson Cord
The men told Rahab to tie a crimson cord where it could be seen when the Israelites took over Jericho. If the cord wasn’t there, or if her family wasn’t inside her house, they would die.
The men said to her, “We will be released from this oath that you have made us swear to you
If we invade the land and you do not tie this crimson cord in the window through which you let us down and you do not gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your family” (Joshua 2:17-18).
Preachers have shared many views on the symbolic meaning of this cord over the years. Some connect it to Passover, likening it to the blood on the doorposts and lintel when the death angel passed through Egypt.
Others believe it represents a crimson thread running from the start of history through Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Rudy Ross offers an interesting take on why some Jewish people tie this cord around their wrists. If you haven’t watched our YouTube video yet, I encourage you to check it out. Rudy provides a very insightful analysis.
No matter how you understand the red cord in Rahab’s window, we can all thank God for the red blood of our Savior that was shed for us on the cross. Just as Rahab and her family were saved by their response to the spies’ offer, we are saved by God’s grace through His Son.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 