I took a little side journey during my study of Rahab trying to figure out if she was truly the mother of Boaz. While that didn't seem possible at first, I turned to my chronological Bible and it has the book of Ruth occurring during the book of Judges. Several sources confirmed that Boaz was the son of Rahab and Salmon. What caught my attention was this statement about Matthew's genealogy: "In it none of the holy women are included, only those whom the
Scriptures blame, in order that He who came in behalf of sinners,
Himself being born of sinners, might destroy the sins of all." Sarah, Rebekkah, and Leah, among others, were left out of the list, written by Matthew the publican.
Of the women named in the lineage of Christ, Rahab has the distinction of also being named in two epistles - Hebrews and James.
Verses: Joshua 2:1-21, Joshua 6:17-25, Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25
Of the women named in the lineage of Christ, Rahab has the distinction of also being named in two epistles - Hebrews and James.
Verses: Joshua 2:1-21, Joshua 6:17-25, Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25
Background –
parents, husband, children, siblings
We don't know how many siblings Rahab had, but Joshua 2:13 says, "ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters." After Jericho was defeated Rahab married Salmon, said to be a prince of Israel. "Her name was Rahab, of whom the Jews have this tradition, that she was ten years of age when Israel came out of Egypt; that she played the harlot the forty years they were in the wilderness." (John Gill)
We don't know how many siblings Rahab had, but Joshua 2:13 says, "ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters." After Jericho was defeated Rahab married Salmon, said to be a prince of Israel. "Her name was Rahab, of whom the Jews have this tradition, that she was ten years of age when Israel came out of Egypt; that she played the harlot the forty years they were in the wilderness." (John Gill)
What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?
We are introduced to Rahab when two spies go to Jericho. "And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there." Many commentaries talked about the use of the word harlot. "Many expositors, desirous of removing the stigma of this name from an ancestress of the Savior, have called her a hostess or tavern keeper. " (A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown {JFB}) "Three times over Rahab is referred to as “the harlot,” and the Hebrew term zoonah and the Greek word porne have at no time meant anything else but “harlot”—a woman who yields herself indiscriminately to every man approaching her. Rahab indulged in wantonness as traveling merchants came her way and were housed in her ill famed abode. Evidently Rahab had her own house and lived apart from her parents and family. Although she never lost her concern for her dear ones, perhaps she was treated as a moral leper. We are told that prostitution was not regarded with the same horror then, as now, but the Bible with one voice speaks of harlotry with moral revulsion and social ostracism." (All the Women of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer)
We are introduced to Rahab when two spies go to Jericho. "And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there." Many commentaries talked about the use of the word harlot. "Many expositors, desirous of removing the stigma of this name from an ancestress of the Savior, have called her a hostess or tavern keeper. " (A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown {JFB}) "Three times over Rahab is referred to as “the harlot,” and the Hebrew term zoonah and the Greek word porne have at no time meant anything else but “harlot”—a woman who yields herself indiscriminately to every man approaching her. Rahab indulged in wantonness as traveling merchants came her way and were housed in her ill famed abode. Evidently Rahab had her own house and lived apart from her parents and family. Although she never lost her concern for her dear ones, perhaps she was treated as a moral leper. We are told that prostitution was not regarded with the same horror then, as now, but the Bible with one voice speaks of harlotry with moral revulsion and social ostracism." (All the Women of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer)
Before the spies arrived, Rahab had a plan and was ready for them. She said, "I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death." (Joshua 2:9-13) "Rahab’s dialogue is full of interest, as showing the universal panic and consternation of the Canaanites on the one hand, and her strong convictions on the other, founded on a knowledge of the divine promise, and the stupendous miracles that had opened the way of the Israelites to the confines of the promised land. She was convinced of the supremacy of Jehovah, and her earnest stipulations for the preservation of her relatives amid the perils of the approaching invasion, attest the sincerity and strength of her faith." (JFB)
When she said, "The Lord your God, he is God" ... "From the rumour of God’s miraculous interpositions Rahab believed, and makes the self-same confession to which Moses endeavors to bring Israel by rehearsing similar arguments. Rahab had only heard of what Israel had experienced. Her faith then was ready. It is noteworthy, too, that the same reports which work faith and conversion in the harlot, cause only terror and astonishment among her countrymen." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible)
Rahab was willing to hide the spies and send the king's men on a wild goose chase. Yes, she lied, there's no way to sugar coat that. Matthew Henry's commentary said, "Though excuses may be offered for the guilt of Rahab's falsehood, it seems best to admit nothing which tends to explain it away. Her views of the Divine law must have been very dim: a falsehood like this, told by those who enjoy the light of revelation, whatever the motive, would deserve heavy censure."
Before sending the spies away, she bound the scarlet line in her window. She didn't wait until the Israelites were marching around the wall. "Immediately, as Abarbinel thinks, and in the sight of the spies, that they might see that she conformed to their direction, and that they might take notice where she fastened it; and that she herself might, at the sight of it, be put in mind of the design of it, and be an encouragement to her faith as to the safety of her and her father's house." (John Gill)
Did she reach a place when she needed to reset? If so, did she? For good or evil?
Rahab, and the inhabitants of Jericho, didn't have long to wait. According to the timelines I could find, Jericho was destroyed the same year that the spies had visited her. There are times when the order of verses makes the story not seem believable. The Bible is clear that the walls of Jericho fell and the city was destroyed. How could Rahab and her family have survived? I think the placement of verses 22 and 23 (Joshua's instruction to the spies) could have easily taken place before the actual fall of the city. Verse 22 says "Joshua had said..."
When the walls of Jericho fell, Rahab was given a new start. Her entire family was saved because of her. They were not allowed to dwell in the camp of Israel for a time. "They were considered as persons unclean, and consequently left without the camp." (Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible) They were eventually allowed in to the camp, "she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho." (Joshua 6:25)
Hebrews chapter 11, the great faith chapter, reminds us, "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace."
When she said, "The Lord your God, he is God" ... "From the rumour of God’s miraculous interpositions Rahab believed, and makes the self-same confession to which Moses endeavors to bring Israel by rehearsing similar arguments. Rahab had only heard of what Israel had experienced. Her faith then was ready. It is noteworthy, too, that the same reports which work faith and conversion in the harlot, cause only terror and astonishment among her countrymen." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible)
Rahab was willing to hide the spies and send the king's men on a wild goose chase. Yes, she lied, there's no way to sugar coat that. Matthew Henry's commentary said, "Though excuses may be offered for the guilt of Rahab's falsehood, it seems best to admit nothing which tends to explain it away. Her views of the Divine law must have been very dim: a falsehood like this, told by those who enjoy the light of revelation, whatever the motive, would deserve heavy censure."
Before sending the spies away, she bound the scarlet line in her window. She didn't wait until the Israelites were marching around the wall. "Immediately, as Abarbinel thinks, and in the sight of the spies, that they might see that she conformed to their direction, and that they might take notice where she fastened it; and that she herself might, at the sight of it, be put in mind of the design of it, and be an encouragement to her faith as to the safety of her and her father's house." (John Gill)
Did she reach a place when she needed to reset? If so, did she? For good or evil?
Rahab, and the inhabitants of Jericho, didn't have long to wait. According to the timelines I could find, Jericho was destroyed the same year that the spies had visited her. There are times when the order of verses makes the story not seem believable. The Bible is clear that the walls of Jericho fell and the city was destroyed. How could Rahab and her family have survived? I think the placement of verses 22 and 23 (Joshua's instruction to the spies) could have easily taken place before the actual fall of the city. Verse 22 says "Joshua had said..."
When the walls of Jericho fell, Rahab was given a new start. Her entire family was saved because of her. They were not allowed to dwell in the camp of Israel for a time. "They were considered as persons unclean, and consequently left without the camp." (Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible) They were eventually allowed in to the camp, "she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho." (Joshua 6:25)
Hebrews chapter 11, the great faith chapter, reminds us, "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace."
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