The Other Side: Rahab the Harlot (Hebrews 11)

Many people are surprised to discover that Jesus was not only a physical descendant of King David, but also of Rahab the ex-prostitute of Jericho. She was Jesus’ great… great… great… great… great… however many times grandmother!

Rahab was a Canaanite woman who ran an “Inn” in Jericho. It was actually a Brothel (house of prostitution) where men could spend the night with the woman of their choice. Rahab was a prostitute herself. As a Canaanite, she was also a worshipper of a great number of deities of the Canaan religion, including Baal (god of fertility), Dagon (god of the crops) and Molech (god of fire). When Joshua sent two of his men to Jericho to spy out the city for destruction, they came to Rahab’s place. When the king of Jericho heard about their visit, he sent his soldiers to kill them. Rahab took sides – not with her own people – but with Israel. She protected the two spies at great peril to her life, and hid them on her roof for three days. She also lied to the king’s soldiers and sent them on a wild goose chase. She told them that the spies had already left out of the city gate.

After the soldiers departed and the coast was clear, she went up to the roof and made them promise to protect her and her father, mother, brothers and sisters. The two spies agreed to protect her and her family when Joshua and his army returned to destroy the city granted she follow explicit instructions.

Rahab’s confession of faith.

“…The Lord your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below.” – Joshua 2:11

“Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by good works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? – James 2:25

Rahab’s faith in the God of Israel was greater than her fear. By embracing Yahovah God – she was renouncing all pagan gods that she had once worshipped. The moment she made the confession of faith, “…for the LORD [Yahovah] your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below”, Rahab was accepted into God’s family. It did not matter that she was formerly a prostitute, or an idol worshipper, or whatever! God is no respecter of persons; whoever will come to Him in faith will be accepted by Him. Rahab is a prime example of how God loves to take the worst of all of us and turn us into “saints.” His arms are always open! (Acts 10:34-35).

Rahab’s story is a pretty amazing one…

The story of Rahab is an amazing example of how even people with a past get a second chance with our god! If you’ve been struggling with something that you just can’t seem to get over, or you have done something in your past that is so bad you’ve never told anyone, and you have wondered if God could ever forgive you, remember what He accomplished in the life of Rahab the ex- prostitute and idol worshipper from Jericho. There is nothing in our lives that is too big for God - there is always hope and forgiveness! The Other Side: Rahab the Harlot (Hebrews 11)

But what about The Other Side…?

What were the spies doing hiding out at a brothel in the 1st place? Why on earth do you think they decided to spend the night? Didn’t they know that looked REALLY bad?!

She made the spies she was hiding literally “swear to god.” Isn’t that a big “NO NO”? You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:12 ESV

Rahab, a prostitute, was given props for lying!? How is that possible?!

What strikes you as “most interesting” when looking at “The Other Side” of this story?

Thoughts, comments, or ideas you want to toss out to the group or contemplate in the coming days or weeks…?