Rahab

Rahab – women of the bible (a woman who Believed the truth) Rahab –“ insolence”, or “ fierceness”, or “ broad”, or “ spacious” The “ Ra” part of her name comes from Egyptian idolatry, “ Ra” the sun god, this is from “ All the women of Bible ” by Herbert Lockyer, Zondervan Publishers Rahab and the two spies are the main charactersin Joshua2. Rahab was a prostitute (her occupation). She lived, geographically and morally, on the edge of society.

She lived at the time of the conquest of Canaan (the land northeast of Egypt, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on the west, Lebanon to the north was the Hittite Empire and Bashan, to the east were the nations of Ammon and the Ammorites, Moab, and Edom) by the Israelites Her house was located on the wall of the city and was strategically placed to lodge travelers. This was a prime location for her trade. Rahab had heard of the God of Israel and aced in faith.

By hiding the spies she faced the risk of being killed if caught by the authorities. However rahab knew it would take a step of faith to get her out of her present predicament. She did not intend to perish with the rest of jericho. She knew that if she did nothing- this would lead to her destruction. No one an serve two masters. She made a conscious decision to act in faith on what she heard about God. Rahab was an ancestor of Jesus(Matthew1: 1-6).

Her faith brought her into an immense inheritance. From a prostitute to the linage of Jesus Christ. This is what faith can do. No matter your stand in life, rrespective of where you are or who you are a simply step of faith in Jesus Christ can turn your destiny around. “ By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace” – Hebrews 11: 31 The life of Rahab can be found in Joshua 2, Joshua 6, Hebrews 11: 31 Matthew 1: 5 James 2: 25