Why is Rahab in the Bible so Important?
Do you know about the amazing redemption story of a prostitute named Rahab in the Bible? Rahab went from selling her body to a significant part of Jesus’ lineage. Rahab’s story is a beautiful reminder that God can take any sinner and transform them into something special. No matter where you came from or your background, you can also be transformed from any situation just like Rahab.
The Story of Rahab in the Bible
What is the story of Rahab? Rahab was a Canaanite woman who lived in the city of Jericho. This was during the time when the Israelites were preparing to conquer the land of Canaan. When two Israelite spies sent by Joshua were sent to scout the land, they sought refuge in Rahab’s house. She bravely protected them, hiding them from her own city’s authorities. This good decision led her on a path to spiritual victory. Let’s keep going with the story.
Here’s where Rahab’s life took a huge turn. Rahab demonstrated her faith in the God of Israel by acknowledging His might and choosing to align herself with His people. She hid God’s people in her home and then requested the spies to spare her and her family during the impending destruction of Jericho. The spies agreed and instructed her to tie a scarlet cord in her window, which would be a sign for the Israelite army to protect her household.
When the Israelites attacked Jericho, they followed the Lord’s command, and the city wall collapsed, except for Rahab’s house, which remained standing. As a result of her faith and actions, Rahab and her family were saved, and she became part of Israel’s history. It doesn’t stop her, it only begins. We’ll come to discover that Rahab’s story serves as an example of God’s mercy and the reward of faithfulness, even to those outside of God’s chosen people.
Who is Rahab in the Bible
This prostitute may have had a dishonorable history, but her future was bright when she made that one key decision, even as a moabite woman. Are you ready to make your life’s key decision? Are you ready to leave your life of misery and suffering? Rahab decided to leave her pagan ideas, job, and culture just like The Story of Ruth, and trusted in God to fulfill her destiny and begin a line of descendants that are truly remarkable. Are you preparing to leave the toxic environment or people you hang out?
Did you know that Rahab admitted to the Jews that once this Red Sea story broke out, all of her people’s hearts melted and no more courage was found in any man because of their God. She was now after their God’s heart and she became part of God’s plan. How exciting it must have been for her! She begged them to spare her own life and and her entire family from destruction and death. They agreed to redeem her family and began to slide down a scarlet red cord through the window down the walls of Jericho.
Where is the Great Story of Rahab in the Bible
The story of Rahab takes place in the city of Jericho, part of the Jordan Valley. As mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Joshua. Here are the relevant verses from the King James Version:
Joshua 2:1 – “And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.”
Joshua 6:1 – “Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.”
The events unfold in Jericho, where the Israelite spies enter the city and seek refuge in Rahab’s house. Later, when the Israelites attack Jericho, Rahab and her family are saved as they had been promised protection for their act of faith and support to the spies.
What Did Rahab Do in the Bible
In the Bible, specifically in the Book of Joshua, Rahab is known for her role in the events surrounding the city of Jericho. Rahab was a woman from Jericho who helped the Nation of Israel’s spies sent by Joshua to gather information about the city before the Israelites’ conquest of Canaan. However, her initial job was at a Harlem, basically, she was a harlot. Despite her past mistakes, God used her in a mighty way. She was redeemed by God and His chosen people by following Him. Rahab then married one of God’s chosen people and became wife of Salmon to start a holy lineage. In the New Testament, it tells us about the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:5-6 (KJV):
“5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias.”
In this genealogy, Rahab is referred to as “Rachab,” and she is mentioned as the mother of Booz (Boaz), who is part of the lineage leading to King David and, ultimately, Jesus. So, based on the KJV and the New Testament genealogy, Rahab is believed to have married Salmon (sometimes spelled “Salma” or “Salmah” greek word), and together they had Boaz, who is a key figure in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
5 Key Decisions Rahab Did to Save Her Reputation
Here’s a summary of what Rahab did in the Bible as the Old Testament records:
- Assisting the Spies: When the Israelite spies arrived in Jericho, they sought refuge in Rahab’s house. Rahab recognized them as Israelites and hid them from the king of Jericho’s men who were searching for them. She helped the spies escape by lowering them out of a window with a rope, as the city gates were closed and guarded.
- Faith and Acknowledgment: During her interaction with the spies, Rahab expressed her faith in the God of Israel. She acknowledged the power and might of the God who had brought the Israelites out of Egypt and was leading them to conquer the land. Rahab’s acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty led her to protect the spies and make a pact with them.
- Covenant with the Spies: In return for her assistance, Rahab asked the spies for protection for herself and her family when the Israelites conquered Jericho. The spies agreed, provided she tied a scarlet cord in her window, which would serve as a marker for the Israelite forces to spare her household during the conquest.
- Sparing of Rahab’s Family: When the Israelites eventually invaded Jericho, they followed Rahab’s instructions. The city was conquered through a unique military strategy involving the Israelites marching around the city for seven days. Rahab’s family was spared, and they were taken safely outside the city before its destruction.
- Inclusion in the Family Tree: Rahab’s story does not end there as we discover more about Rahab’s courage. She is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ according to the New Testament Gospel of Matthew. She is mentioned as one of the ancestors of Jesus, highlighting the significance of her role in the biblical narrative. Her son was Boaz and husband of Salmon.
Rahab’s actions demonstrate courage, faith, and a willingness to stand against her own city’s authorities in order to align herself with the purposes of God. Her story is often cited as an example of how God can use individuals from various backgrounds and circumstances to play important roles in His larger plan.
Why is Rahab important in the Bible?
The Scarlet Red Cord Represents Jesus Christ
This scarlet rope let down by Rahab represents the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it points toward the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. In fact, all of the Bible leads us to Jesus Christ and His blood redemption.
Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.
And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. Joshua 2:18-19
Her Story is About Redemption
Rahab is important on so many levels as a woman. For those who don’t think they are important to God, she dispels that lie many women tell themselves. If you don’t think you deserve to have a happy, fulfilled life in Christ because of your past, it’s not true. If you don’t believe you can make a difference because of past bad decisions, get in line, my friend. We’ve all done things we regret but that doesn’t mean we can’t fulfill our destiny! Let’s start today on being the virtuous woman God wants us to be!
However, it goes beyond her life. Rahab ended up marrying Salmon, who is the father of the famous Boaz, who ended up marrying Ruth. In Matthew 1:5, it states: “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.”
What does Rahab symbolize?
Rahab represents sinners like you and me. Biblical scholars agree that many of the great saints of true faith in Israel were women like Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Ruth, Hannah, and Anna. It doesn’t matter what sins you’ve committed, as long as you believe in the Savior of the World.
How Many Times is Rahab Mentioned in the Bible?
Rahab is mentioned in the Holy Scripture 10 times in the King James Version (KJV). Here is a list of all 10 Rahab Bible Verses:
- Joshua 2:1
- Joshua 2:3
- Joshua 6:17
- Joshua 6:23
- Joshua 6:25
- Psalm 87:4
- Psalm 89:10
- Isaiah 51:9
- Hebrews 11:31
- James 2:25
Who Did Rahab Marry
From harlot to heroine, Rahab became a godly wife and mother in Israel. Rahab married Salmon, an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. She became the mother of Boaz. If you’d like to learn more about Boaz, read about Ruth in the Bible. And her son would one day marry a widow woman by the name of Ruth (Ruth 4:5,10).
And, so it begins, the line of Jesus. Ruth in the Bible shows another clear picture of redemption, a pagan girl who faithfully followed God’s leading and ultimately became part of the story of Jesus’ birth.
Rahab in Genealogy of Christ
How is Rahab related to King David? God raised up a prostitute to become the great, great-grandmother of King David. Rahab married Salmon, who is recorded as having a son named Boaz in Matthew 1. Boaz and Ruth had a son named Obed who had David’s father, Jesse.
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab, and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king, and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias. Matthew 1:5,6
From the line of Rahab came the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ! Wow, what a heartfelt message about God’s glorious grace through the genealogical introduction to the birth of Jesus!
Characteristics of Rahab
As we have seen the transformation of a harlot unfold, we can also be assured that we can all be restored from the House of Shame to the Hall of Fame!
Rahab was a pagan destined for spiritual darkness and degradation. Yet, she was delivered from darkness because of her faith in God’s power, she changed the trajectory of her life’s path.
Rahab was amazingly one of the two women (besides Sarah) mentioned in the Hall of Faith of Hebrews 11. In addition, the Bible tells us she was justified in James 2:25, or made pure in the sight of God.
Here is a list of godly traits Rahab revealed in her story:
- Faithful – By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31
- Believer – She believed in God and his judgment upon her pagan city.
- Obedient – Rahab immediately helped two of God’s men by hiding them and helping them escape.
From Harlot of Jericho to Heroine of Women in the Bible
What is your takeaway from Rahab’s message today? Every day is a new day, and it’s your time to shine the light of Jesus Christ. What is He asking you to do today? Rahab believed the message that the 2 spies delivered. Do you believe His Word? It’s time for you to trust that God has come to rescue you from doubts, fears, worries, whatever sins they may be. Are you ready to fulfill your destiny? Trust in Him, and He will provide your path to righteousness.
