FROM HARLOT TO HEROINE

In the book of Joshua, we read about the young Canaanite prostitute who helped prepare the way for the Israelites to conquer the fortified city of Jericho. Rahab's story is noteworthy, not only because of her great faith and eventual place in the lineage of Christ ... but also as a 'type' of the Gentiles who come to faith.

This unlikely heroine was part of one of the most corrupt, depraved, pagan cultures of her day ... however, she had heard stories of how the Israelites escaped Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, wandered in the wilderness, and recently won victory over the Amorites. 

When Joshua sent two men to spy out the land, word had gotten to the king that they were in the city. Rahab protected them from being arrested by hiding them on the roof. Then afterward, she honored their God and appealed to their sense of fairness ... 

Now then, please swear to me by the Lord, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, and spare my father and my mother, and my brothers and my sisters, and all who belong to them, and save our lives from death. Joshua 2:12-13 

The spies agreed to her request, giving her three conditions to be met: 

1. She must distinguish her house from the others by hanging a scarlet rope out of the window so the Israelites would know which home to spare. 
2. Her family must be inside the house during the battle. 
3. She must not later turn against the spies.

After three days, they escaped and reported to Joshua all that they had witnessed ... Truly the Lord has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us. (Joshua 2:24)

The Israelites crossed the Jordan into Canaan where they laid siege to Jericho. The city was completely destroyed ... only Rahab and her family were spared. 

Her life was transformed and she eventually married Salmon, an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. Her son was Boaz, the husband of Ruth. Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, was her direct descendant.

Rahab served as a 'foreshadowing' of those who would come to faith in Christ as 'non-Jews'. She was, in fact, the first recorded Gentile convert. 

The scarlet cord reminds us of another story of deliverance... the blood on the doorposts in Egypt. Both represent the sufficiency of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection to save us from sin's fateful consequences ... Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) 

Rahab was no longer considered 'unclean', but worthy to be in the lineage of the coming Messiah. Through like faith, we also become part of God's family and partakers of His inheritance ... But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)

The story of the 'harlot' who became a 'heroine' paints a beautiful picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It brings hope to even the most sin-laden soul ... that a loving relationship with God is possible for anyone racked with guilt and weary from the journey. 

Calvary's cross settled the matter for all who kneel there.