LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:31, It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute did not die with all the others in her city who refused to obey God.  For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.  (NLT)

 

You read this correctly – a prostitute living in Jericho named Rahab is found in the Hall of Fame of Faith.  Read the events that led to this in Joshua 2.  Joshua had sent two spies to Jericho where they went to Rahab’s house.  Joshua 2: 15 states that her house was on the wall of Jericho.  This might seem strange; but, remember the Lord is involved in this and led the two spies to her house.  It was probably common for foreigner to lodge there and gave them the ability to blend in there (DJSB).  Because of this the spies had opportunity to gain information about Jericho without drawing a lot of suspicion to themselves.  The account tells how Rahab protected the spies by hiding them and helping them escape.  She did so with the promise she would be protected when they took the city.

 

Rahab is the focus because she is included in the Hall of Fame of Faith.  The question is why God honored her.  She was a sinful woman from a pagan background and she lied openly to those who came looking for the spies.  Read the verse above again.  Do you see any mention of her life or her lies?  No, you see only her faith is mentioned.  Rahab abandoned her background and recognized the God of Israel as the true God of heaven and earth.  She placed her faith in Him by joining with the Israelites.  In doing so, God spared her life when the walls came down.

 

Let me say this before more is written.  Rahab lied.  She “must not be judged for all this was shortly before her conversion” JSESB).  “From a biblical perspective, Rahab’s lie by no means condones lying.  As we read the Bible, we must distinguish between what God condones and what He records.  In this case God records the lie because He is truth, not because He is commending Rahab’s action.” (DJSB).  Read Matthew 1:5-6.  Surprise!  Rahab would become an ancestor to the Lord Jesus Christ!  Rahab shows us that any person who comes to the Lord in faith, regardless of what their past looks like, can find salvation through the cross of Jesus Christ.

 

So here is the takeaway for today.  Rahab is not remembered for being a prostitute nor for lying to those who came looking for the spies.  None of this received approval from God!  God did not need to rely on a lie to save the two men sent to Jericho.  She is remembered for the faith she showed in the God of heaven and earth who was able to save her from the ungodly circumstances she was in.  So, when you wonder if God can use you because of the sins in your past or even those you have committed today, remember Rahab.  I wonder if the description of Rahab being a prostitute is not a reminder for you and me that there is forgiveness when we come to the Lord in faith and that He does forgive.

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.  I have added Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible to be referred to from now on as JSESB