Rahab is a Bible character that makes a lot of people uncomfortable. She was a harlot in the city of Jericho. And yet, throughout the gospel, she is highly commended for her faith in God (Hebrew 11:31; James 2:25-26). She is also one of only four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
How does a harlot become a believer in God and develop a highly praised faith throughout the Scripture? What made Rahab’s faith so great?
It wasn’t blind.
- Her faith was based on evidence and verifiable facts.
- Before leading Israel into Jericho, Joshua first sent in two spies (Joshua 2:1-7). These spies were welcomed into Rahab’s home.
- When the king learned that the spies were in her home, he sent soldiers and debated that they be brought out. Rahab lied (the Bible never commends this sin) and hid the soldiers on her roof.
- Why does she risk her life in hiding these spies? She does this because of her faith (Joshua 2:8-13). She had heard about God’s victories on the other side of the Jordan, and she began fearing and believing in God.
- Rahab heard and examined the testimonies of people who experienced and witnessed God’s power, and she became a believer.
- God also wants us to have faith based on belief and trust in the evidence He has provided (Luke 1:1-4; Romans 1:4; 10:17; John 20:30-31).
It wasn’t “belief only.”
- Her faith was active (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25-26). Rahab obeyed the spies’ words, and she was saved from God’s wrath (Joshua 2:14-22).
- It is not enough for us to merely believe that God is real and Jesus is Lord. It is also trusting God enough to obey Him. It is also taking action in the service of God.
- The teaching of the gospel doesn’t do us any good if we don’t implement it in our lives!
It wasn’t dependent on others.
- Rahab did not let the corrupt society in which she lived stop her from believing in the one true God. Before God destroyed her city because of ungodliness (Leviticus 18:24-25), Rahab chose to be different. She rejected the false gods being worshipped by the people in her city, and she decided to have faith in God and fear Him.
- God also demands us to be different (Matthew 5:13-16). It doesn’t matter how outnumbered we are in this society. We must always stand firm with God’s word.
It didn’t last for just a short time.
- Rahab didn’t develop faith merely to avoid God’s wrath. After Jericho was destroyed, she was incorporated into Israel and continued to have faith in God (Joshua 6:22-25).
- She may have been a harlot for a time in her life, but she changed. She was converted. She finished with God.
- God doesn’t want us to have faith for just a time. He wants us to have faith in Him all our lives. Doing this requires avoiding excuses for sinful practices, being fervent in God’s word, and never quitting.
Conclusion:
Do you need to exercise true faith in the Lord (Mark 16:16)?
