"Rahab, who had hidden the two men, replied, "The men were here earlier, but I didn't know where they were from. They left the city at dusk, as the city gates were about to close, and I don't know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them." (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath piles of flax.)" Joshua 2: 4-6
This woman is one of my favorite people in the Bible! What a treat to be discussing her with you. I have read her story several times and yet, Liz Curtis Higgs still manages to bring to light a few new points.
For her complete story, open your Bible to Joshua and read chapter 2, then jump to chapter 6 where her story continues in verses 17 and 22-25. You are welcome to read everything from chapter 2 through 6 if you want to read about Joshua and the entire battle of Jericho. It's an interesting story, unlike any battle that has ever taken place, before or since. I thought Ms. Higgs parallel fictional story of Rae and the seismologists was creative - just the kind of doomsday situation we might see in a movie: spies, an unlikely heroine, government conspiracy, and the impending destruction of an entire US city! These ancient stories never get old!
So, in the middle of this amazing, action packed story we have a prostitute who harbors spies and lies to her government about it. Her people would have added 'traitor' to her title of prostitute, but the Israelites call her a Heroine; she is held up as an example of God's grace and love centuries later, and was an ancestress of the royal line of David! WOW!!!
One of the things I find absolutely fascinating comes about because of how we are studying these "bad girls" back to back. Ms. Higgs points it out throughout the reading and I want to address it here. I'd love to read your reaction to the following thoughts:
*Rahab, faced with a similar, yet more dangerous situation as Delilah chose to do the exact opposite! Rahab was approached by her government and asked to turn over spies they knew had visited her establishment. Despite the fact that she didn't know these men personally and knew they were here to spy on her people, she hid them from her government at great peril to her own life!
*Rahab lied!! Just last week Sapphira lied and paid the ultimate price - she died! Talk about confusing: in one situation lying is okay and in another it's a death sentence. Clearly, sometimes it's okay to tell a lie.
*Rahab left everything behind and started a new life with the Israelites. Unlike Lot's wife, Rahab didn't concern herself with saving her favorite dress or her most prized possession. She wanted to save her family and struck a bargain that put her life at risk. Her 'things' had no place in her new life!
One woman (an outcast in every sense of the word & single) puts to shame 3 other "bad girls". Over the course of a few days, she faces danger, invites strangers into her home, rescues her entire family (something Lot couldn't do, by the way), and leaves all her earthly possessions in the rubble of her city. If I had to choose just one word to describe her, it would be COURAGEOUS.
The section "What Lessons Can We Learn from Rahab?" addresses 4 points. Do you have any to add?
What is the most important lesson you learned from Rahab? In one fell swoop, she shows us that these other "bad girls" could have made different choices and lived to tell a very different tale. What does that mean for us?
One of the most important ideas I take away from this story is found in James 2: 25-26, "Rahab the prostitute is another example of this. She was made right with God by her actions - when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds." (NLT)
How will you be inspired by Rahab? Click here to see how one woman is saving women & girls from human trafficking in India in Rahab's name through the charity Rahab's Rope!!
Go to the blog to leave your Comments! I can't wait to read them!
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior
"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
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