RAHAB: A HARLOT TURNED HEROINE!

Rahab is a harlot turned heroine, a shrewd prostitute who desired change.

Many marital relationships have been sacrificed on the altar of revelry and ‘fleshy satisfaction’ in her bosom.

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Rahab was proud of her profession because it was somewhat legitimate at that time.
One encounter with her leaves many men groveling at her feet, obviously awed at her sex expertise! whilst they willingly emptied their coffers on her bed!
Yes…She was that popular prostitute!

A lot has been said about this woman, but as we conclude her story today, we want to discuss together, pertinent issues that are worthy of note.

One might ask this question:

Why would Rahab wielding such feminine prowess and political influence, live on a wall?

Firstly, this harlot turned heroine was extremely intelligent!
Her location was strategic, so as to observe (at a glance) the happenings across the city, She enjoyed the protection and other fringe benefits. However, she had other ways of extracting valuables (including top security information) from political officials and high ranking soldiers.

Rahab supplied the King with security details regarding potential intruders/spies!
Unfortunately, the King had stubbornly endeavored not to listen to her this time…She had earlier suggested that they reach a peaceful compromise with the Israelites.

Secondly, Rahab’s location afforded her the privilege of having the first-hand contact with intending customers, She had her ways!

One might also ask this question?

What was it about Rahab that made her quite outstanding? Why was she saved? Was it really because she hid the spies?

Men who really made it to the roll call of ‘faith-full’ men in Hebrews 11 had a particular characteristic: They were tired of their present states, they sought a better life.

Enoch

Hebrews 11:5 (KJV): By faith, Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Abraham

Hebrews 11:9-10 (KJV)

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Moses

Hebrews 11:26-27 (KJV)

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Gideon

Judges 6:13 (KJV)

And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

I see in this popular prostitute, certain traits that are worthy of note, that did not only save her life, but earned her Israelite citizenship, and recruited her into the Honorary Hall of fame and the blessed ancestry of the Messiah!
I discovered something which spurred Rahab: A harlot turned heroine! onto the side of winners which is this: She longed for a better life:

Joshua 2:11 (KJV)

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.

Reality had dawned on Rahab, The Canaanite gods (put together) were no match for the God of the Israelites, she had heard stories of Israel’s conquests…via notable miraculous manifestations.
She sought a more guaranteed protection: living on the outer wall, which was very prone to attack from invaders. She was too convinced that Jericho would soon be ash! Rahab had gained the needed foresight! which was sadly lacking in Jericho.
Worse still, she was having financial challenges, with hungry bellies to feed, hence her decision to make cloth linen from flax as a part-time job.
She had a bad reputation, as a renowned bar-keeper and sex worker…
All of these made her yearn for something more:

Amidst all of these, Rahab still possessed some striking features that made her outstanding:

1.Bravery

It was risky to have hidden 2 spies. under her roof at the expense of her life and that of her family. Her quest for a glorious life made her stand against the odds, and rise to the occasion of an unflinching desire for change.
Indeed, she was Rahab: A harlot turned heroine!

2. Knowledgeability

As an inhabitant of the outer wall…which was open to the exteriors, Rahab followed events and updates in town, she knew people and places, even the King was her close ally. She helped the spies escape far from Jericho because she knew the right route for safety. She was also well-informed.

3. Resourcefulness

With the curfew in the city, Rahab resorted to other means of making money, thus she heaped stalks of flax over her roof to dry, with which she made linen for clothes…she was pretty industrious!

4. Wisdom and tact

Rahab was quick-witted and tactful, proffering informed solutions to the problems she encountered.
She gave the spies the much-needed wisdom to stay safe in the mountains, even after fleeing from Jericho.

5. Selflessness

She knew that Jericho would soon be destroyed, thus she sought not salvation for her life alone, but for that of her family, Stories has it that she was the breadwinner in her family.

6. Optimism and faith

Even when the walls were about crashing and falling flat, she didn’t lose heart. She had faith in the God of Israel and in the words of the spies…such faith isn’t just profound, it is scarce. She had a positive faith.

Rahab is indeed phenomenal…. A harlot turned heroine!

Thanks for reading…

God bless you!

SIGNIFICANT TRUTH

Rahab became the grand mother of Jesse, who became a father to David….and to Jesus Christ…May God help us to always see things from His sole perspective. Amen.