"and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab," - Matthew 1:4c-5a
Rahab was a Canaanite woman and known as a harlot (or prostitute). During the time in which she lived, it was common for those “professions” to be associated with innkeepers. References to Rahab as a harlot demonstrate that we do not have to be perfect for God to use us in significant ways. His salvation is for sinners, not just for those whom society would accept as worthy. God is free to use whom He will. Rahab also reminds us that believers are not to be judgmental. We have all sinned and without God’s grace would be doomed.
Rahab married an Israelite, Salmon, whose father was Nahshon, the son of Amminadab (Ruth 4:20). Unlike other Canaanites, Rahab did not resist the God of Israel, but rather committed herself to His care. When the Israelites under Joshua crossed the Jordan River into Canaan, their access was blocked by the fortified city of Jericho. Joshua sent two spies to examine the city. When the spies were discovered, they found refuge in the house of Rahab. She made the choice to hide them even though it put her and her family in great danger. Rahab made a deal with Joshua’s men that in exchange for the shelter and help she provided, they would spare her life and the lives of her family. Rahab’s choice is an example of the way we all have to grapple with the reality of God and His power to forgive and redeem us. Then we are able to put our trust in Him alone and allow Him to guide us and use us for His purpose and glory. As Rahab lowered the spies out of her window on a rope, she knew when they returned for battle she would hang a scarlet cord in her window and gather her family inside. The cord would notify the armies not to harm Rahab or her family. And when the attack came, the Bible tells us in Joshua 6:25, “But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day.” What a story of redemption and grace!
Rahab’s story highlights her works, “receiving the messengers and sending them out another way,” but her works did not save her. Her works are a demonstration of her faith in the God of Israel. Likewise, we too are saved by our faith through the grace of God and should find joy in living our life demonstrating our faith and living for God’s purpose and glory.
The genealogy in the Bible, which includes Rahab, lets us know that Jesus’ background is a lot like ours. Jesus said he didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He said, “The Son of man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.” (Luke 19:10) The same grace that Rahab experienced is available to all today, to truly accept Christ and be forgiven no matter our history or past mistakes. What a loving, amazing God we serve!