A fairly straightforward and well-known tale, this is the story of Rahab the prostitute. I know we'll read about her again, but here's what I was thinking during this particular passage:
Strange men come into the city. Where does everyone think to look? Rahab. Because she's a harlot.
Israel's spies come into the city. What is everyone's response? Fear. Because they know about the miracles done for Israel.
So this gets me to thinking about reputation. What response does MY reputation provoke in people? Is it good, is it bad, is it annoying? ;)
The great news is that Rahab, though a harlot, is listed in the geneaology of Jesus and is the mother of Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer of Ruth. So even though Rahab had a prior reputation of being a loose woman (and for good reason, apparently), she lives in Biblical history as a heroine and as an ancestor of Christ.
Beautiful.
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faith, struggles and humor
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Warning: If you are offended by people questioning God or struggling with the Bible and faith, you might as well hit your back button now.
Starting in May, I'm going to follow this "study the Bible" format. Follow along if you'd like!
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/may.asp?version=51
I aspire to holiness, but I merely attain hypocrisy.
Starting in May, I'm going to follow this "study the Bible" format. Follow along if you'd like!
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/may.asp?version=51
I aspire to holiness, but I merely attain hypocrisy.
2 comments:
Presumably Rahab had a habit of meeting new people, which would put her in an excellent position of welcoming. Her line of "business" was... shall we say... not strictly in line with God's law. But nonetheless, she had a position that everyone knew about - she would meet any visitors to the city.
And God was able to use her. If you'd asked contemporary scholars and church leaders (okay, okay, I know there were none then!), they'd have said she was most unlikely to go to heaven. And yet - part of the lineage of the Anointed One, the long-awaited Messiah.
I absolutely love that God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. David - an adulterer, a murderer. Rahab - a prostitute. Heck, even a donkey. ;) Gives me such hope!
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