what did rahab do in the bible

The story of Rahab in the Bible can be found in Joshua 2, though she is mentioned quite a few times throughout the Bible as a picture of faith and courage: Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. Rahab became the mother of Boaz, great grand-mother to King David, part of the lineage of Jesus. Rahab was shrewd and hid the Israelite spies on her roof, and then telling them to hide in the hills before returning to Joshua. If Rahab could change, you can change. Her story is full of lessons that can help us in our own lives today. Samuel Their new life with the Jews gave them a chance to know about God and for their lives to be transformed as Rahabs was. She afterwards became the wife of Salmon, a prince of the tribe of Judah ( Ruth 4:21 ; 1Chronicles 2:11 ; Matthew 1:5 ). When the Hebrews were encamped at Shittim, in the "Arabah" or Jordan valley opposite Jericho, ready to cross the river, Joshua, as a final preparation, sent out two spies to "spy the land." he told the people where he was teaching what now to do. On the discussion of Rahab, I think she is mentioned by James specifically because James had just written about not showing partiality. Theres no indication that the spies went to her house to do anything but safely hide from the authorities of Jericho. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version ( 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). Name: Rahab. (Hebrews 11:30, 31) James brings out the use of Rahab because she was someone that showed faith regarding a god that she was familiar with, although unfamiliar at the same time. My first thought is to consider the difference in audience and their circumstance. When commanded by the rulers of the city to turn the men over, Rahab concealed their identities and whereaboutsan act of faith in God. Jonah In Rahabs case, she was able to discern that the only hope for her family was with the Jews. I truly believe James and Paul are talking about two different things that relate to one another. By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of the disobedient, because she Copyright 2010 by Insight for Living. The context of the messages of Paul and James is what contrasts; Paul writes in light of the Law of Moses that was practiced in the first century and what the recipients of the letter of Galatians were use to (Jobes, 172). Why? Both forsook their people, their gods and their customs. Barnabas For all the saints. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Bathsheba and Tamar both were similar in that their sinful and impure lives were recorded in the Bible. I think that James 2:8 really showcases James intention for his book, he was not trying to cause division or arguments, James simply wants us to love one another and love our God. God is in the business of saving sinners. Its not by accident that Abraham and Rahab are chosen for this section. These are the only real details that the Bible gives us of her story before her encounter with the Israelite spies. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? (James 2:25). Jewish tradition says that Salmon was one of the two spies. For starters, Jericho was far from a great and powerful city when the Israelites entered the Jordan River Valley. She pretended that they had escaped before the shutting of the gate, and threw their pursuers off their track. What does He want us to learn from Rahabs life and example? I personally do not see James and Pauls teachings as contradictory, but rather working together to say the same thing to different audiences. However, the spies were spied upon. Most commonly he refers to this as bearing good fruit. The fact that Rahab is mentioned in this book is quite unique. No believer has to turn to this life or any sin in order to provide for himself/herself. Even though she made her living as a sex worker, she was selected for high honor in the Faith Hall of She lied to the king's soldiers concerning the whereabouts of the spiesand sent them off in the opposite direction. Esther She probably ranked pretty low on the spectrum of biblical heroes. Life Lessons from Rahab - Articles about the Bible - Bible Society If youre looking for an example of faith, courage and trust in God, Rahab is an excellent Old Testament example. General Editor. "By faith," it says in Hebrews, "Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. . James argues that faith and works are essential aspects to Christian living, being inseparable for true belief in who Jesus Christ is. This means that the way we live our lives should reflect Gods wisdom. New King James Version By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. She protected them by hiding them under piles of flax that were drying on her roof (verses 4, 6). By her bravery and faith in God, she helped Israel to enlarge as they inherited the Promised Land. Obviously we would have probably heard more from James if this was the case, but since we only have this letter to read I would suggest starting in chapter 2. She then told the spies of the fear that the coming of the Israelites had caused in the minds of the Canaanites--"Our hearts did melt . for Yahweh your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath"--and asked that the men promise to spare her father, mother, brothers and sisters, and all that they had. 12Now therefore, I beg you, (Q)swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to (R)my fathers house, and (S)give me [c]a true token, 13and (T)spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death., 14So the men answered her, Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. Answer Most Bible readers know Rahab as the heroine of the battle of Jericho story ( Joshua 2; 6:2225 ). Later, when Joshua and the army appeared and attacked the city, only Rahab and her family survived. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. She savvily sent the spies pursuers on a wild goose chase. James is very concerned about how Christians live out there faith and the need for a visible outworking from their faith. Rahab is a wonderful example that we should be courageous and faithful to our God even when the price is high. I think the differences arise because of a unique emphasis from the authors due to their awareness of the audience. Derrick G. Jeter holds a master of theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and served as a writer for the Creative Ministries Department of Insight for Living Ministries. You may catch up with them. (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) Training and occupation:Rahab is identified as a harlot (prostitute) multiple times. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Thus, Rahab could be viewed as one of the first silent followers, as she appears to become saved solely through her actions. She cared much for her family and made sure that they would also be spared. James is discussing what should happen when you are saved. Rahab exemplifies this belief through her actions with the spies, not only believing in YHWH, but then living her life in accordance with that belief. Rahab is placed on a similar level as Abraham when she is also deemed righteous based on what she did (James 2:25-26). But the opposite is also true. This idea is not isolated to this one story in Matt 15 but shown many times in Jesus teachings. 2. 4. Rahab; i.e., "broad," "large"). His/her belief can influence the whole family. Rahab was a pagan prostitute living in an enemy nation. He has Masters degrees in Biblical Exposition and Old Testament from Talbot School of Theology (BIOLA) and a PhD in New Testament from Andrews University. And as far as the question of how different our theology would be if based on the book of James rather than Pauline literature: It is difficult to know. 2. Because I understand the theology of James and his view on how Christians can receive salvation, I feel as if I can easily understand why James chose to incorporate this Rahab reference into his letter. In the miraculous battle of Jericho, the invincible city did fall. Copyright 2012 -2022|Study and ObeyAll Rights Reserved|. 9:9, 10, NKJV, The American Patriot's Bible: The Word of God and the Shaping of America. However, it is not uncommon to question her being referenced as a righteous woman because of her being a prostitute, recorded in the same chapter. And when someone reminds you of your past, courageously stand and declare: "What I once was, I am not now. She boldly saved the Lords men and believed that the Lord would save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death (Joshua 2:13). Rahab In Greek (in the New Testament), porne is used. Just from this story alone if the Lord had Jamess construct early Christian foundational theology, I do believe there would be a huge difference. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyones courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. People should know your faith by what fruit one produces. In 2019 he published a commentary. Rahab was the prostitute from Jericho who saved the Israelite spies from being caught by the authorities of Jericho. 5. What Bible Debates Inspired Martin Luther's 95 Theses? What could she or should she have done instead? The problem of Rahabs lie to protect Joshuas spies is a popular query in the study of Christian ethics. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. (3) (rahabh, literally, "storm," "arrogance"): A mythical sea-monster, probably referred to in several passages where the word is translated as a common noun "pride" (Job 9:13), "the proud" (Job 26:12; compare Psalms 89:10). This passage is actually saying that true faith and belief in Christ changes a person. Many scholars/teachers/pastors have tried to argue that the word for Rahab could mean innkeeper. They argue that she was a business women who ran a simple business perhaps a lodge and restaurant. The use of Abraham in James 2:20-24 supports this, since Paul seems to be in conflict with men from James in Galatians. WebRahab is one of only two women listed in the honor roll of the faithful in chapter 11 of Hebrews. Why did the spies go there? Chuck has a way of saying it the way it is! None of us have seen the mighty deeds performed by God in Bible times. Im reminded of the time God placed Moses in the cleft of the rock and covered him with His hand, God covered Rahab in the Bible with His hand and protected her. God worked in Rahab to eventually bring her to repentance. Yet this Canaanite "woman of ill-repute" demonstrated so much faith in the God of Israel that she and her family were the only citizens of Jericho spared by Joshua's army when the city was razed to the ground. She allowed God to use her in Jericho, and He continued to use her and her offspring for His work. Joshua 2:1-21; 6:17, 22, 23, 25; Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25. Is there anyone else in the Bible that might be considered a traitor?. WebLockyer's All the Women of the Bible Rahab. Salmon is not mentioned in the Old Testament its only in the New Testament when Luke and Matthew present the ancestor of Christ do, we discover what happened to Rahab, and who she ended up marrying. She could have asked for money. If you dont tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land. So, she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. and 6,000 B.C.E., and the first archeological evidence of Israelites in the region wasn't until around 1,200 B.C.E., many thousands of years later. By the time her life ended, she was Rahab a woman of faith. 3. It is very interesting that James uses Rahab as an example of righteousness because she was a known prostitute and was not a believer by any means. Rahab was the great-great-grandmother of David, Israels greatest king. Rahab took a chance and hid these men on her roof and then sent the soldiers in a different direction. She was an ancestor of both King David and Jesus Christ. This seems to make more sense to a Gentile audience who did not already believe in only the one true God of Israel. She put her faith into action by caring for the immediate physical need of safety for the spies. Rahab is one of only four women named in the genealogy, the others being Tamar (wife of Judah), Ruth (who married Rahab's son Boaz), and Mary, the mother of Jesus. She hid the spies in a stack of flax, where no one would think to look. Rahab was a prostitute. In the Old Testament, Rahab is introduced as prostitute yet she is considered to be one of the most righteous in the Bible. Elisha I think that this took a lot of faith on her part. 2023 Insight for Living Ministries. Perhaps she knew this because of her entertaining and hiring herself out to visitors to the city. Rahab was one of those unexpected characters in the Bible. God can save anyone no matter what they have done or how disinterested they seem to be. I like to believe that the Bible uses characters like Rahab, who was a prostitute, to show the glory of God and His ability to save all different types of people. with James, he stayed in Jerusalem where the people know the Law. It is not surprising that she lied considering her environment and lifestyle. They will never change. Dont give up on them. Those who are namedTamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Marymight be considered sexually promiscuous because of lifestyle, nationality, or unexplained pregnancy. This use of Rahab is also interesting because it would have been a very understandable story to the Jewish Christians that James was writing to. By faith the prostitute Rahab Used by permission. This seems to me to be a great honor as the others who are mentioned in this genealogy are great men and women known for their righteousness. When two Israelite spies came to town, Rahab turned the roof of her house into a hiding place for theman act which took courage. 3. Rahab Rahab I think that the argument made that Rahab chose God over her own country, and that the author of James is simply showing that actions are required to have real faith makes a lot of sense. If she was caught hiding them, she would have serious consequences for her actions, but because she had faith she was able to accomplish what she did. 1 Timothy 1:10, Colossians 3:9-10, Proverbs 12:22, Exodus 20:16.

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