No 1

(Rahab)

This is the first of several studies that we will be doing on the women of the Bible. These studies will focus on how women were used of God to advance His plan for humanity and will not be presented in any specific order. The first woman who we will study is Rahab, the harlot; she is one of my favourites. She first appears on the scene in Joshua 2 : 1 where she hides two spies sent by Joshua to check out the city of Jericho. The king of Jericho had found out that the two spies were in Rahab’s house and sent soldiers. They said to her : “Bring forth the men that have come to thee which are entered into thine house for they be come to search out the country” (Jos 2: 3). Rahab did something very unchristian-like – she told the soldiers a lie! This lie, it turns out, enabled Joshua to invade the city and we all know the result – the walls came tumbling down! Joshua saved Rahab when the invasion took place and she continued to follow the Israelites (Jos 6 : 23, 25). Her name appears in the faith hall of fame in Hebrews 11 : 31 and James uses her as an example of faith with works (James 2: 26). But most importantly, Rahab is an ancestor of Jesus Christ. She undoubtedly became more and more involved with the Israelites and married Salmon, the father of Boaz. In Matthew 1 verse 5 we see her name in the genealogy of Jesus Christ and she played a very essential role in God’s plan. Now, maybe we can’t all be like Rahab, but certainly we can stand up for our Saviour when the time comes to defend our faith.