2 Lessons from the Life of Rahab

Rahab is one of those women in the Bible whose story captivates me. I had no idea she was in the lineage of Jesus until I took the time to read my Bible from cover to cover back in 2020. Since then, I’ve done this several times. Now, my husband and I concentrate on one book at a time and take our time studying it.

There are several lessons to be learned from reading about Rahab. Today, I’m going to talk about Rahab using two simple lessons.

LESSON 1

GOD’S GRACE IS GREATER THAN OUR PAST

 If you’ve never read Rahab’s story, take the time now to read in the book of Joshua, chapters 2 and 6. Then read Hebrews 11: 31. Then read Matthew 1:5 to find Rahab in the genealogy of Jesus. Amazing!

If you just read the above Scriptures, you were probably as surprised as I the first time I read them. Just to recap, Joshua sent two spies into Jericho to look over the land. When they arrived, they went into the house of Rahab and stayed there. What was unusual about this? Rahab was a prostitute.

2 Lessons from the Life of Rahab @DDuPreeWilliams #Faith #JesusLovesYou #Rahab Share on X

Did you know that? Maybe you’ve heard the story before. It almost seems like gossip to speak of Rahab in this manner. But her story is one of redemption. Her reputation didn’t matter to God. He can use anyone to accomplish His purposes here on earth. Why would He choose a prostitute? Because God delights in transforming people. He did that for me and for my husband. Did He do this for you? He will if you ask.

Don’t ever doubt that God can use you, no matter what you may have been or done in your past. When you invited Jesus to live within your heart, when you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, anything you’d done in the past, present, or even will or may do in the future is covered by the precious blood of Jesus poured out for you. If God can use a woman like Rahab, He can use you and me. (This isn’t an invitation to keep sinning. Your heart will be changed, and you will come under conviction when you do sin. And we all sin, daily. But a believer knows to repent.)

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Jesus says to Paul, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. I’ve heard an old saying all my life which is likely a take on these words, God’s grace covers a multitude of sins. Friends, you and I are covered by the Grace of God just as He covered Rahab.

LESSON 2

ONE PERSON’S FAITH CAN IMPACT FUTURE GENERATIONS

In chapter 6 of Joshua, we read that Joshua and his men are about to destroy the city of Jericho. But he tells the two spies who’d been hidden from the king by Rahab (verse 22 ESV) “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.” They brought out all of Rahab’s family, then they burned the city.

Did you know that Rahab was the mother of Boaz? The same Boaz who married Ruth who has an entire book in the Bible named for her. Ruth and Boaz were the parents of Obed who was the father of Jess. Jesse was the father of King David. David’s royal line led to Jesus many years and generations later.

Do you think Rahab ever in her wildest of imaginings thought she would be a part of the lineage of the Savior of the World? Of course not. But her faith not only saved her, but her entire household. Because of her faith she became the great-great grandmother of King David. If you follow the generations, she was approximately the 28^th great-grandmother of Jesus. (Biblical genealogies sometimes omit a few generations).

When we choose to honor God, to repent of our sins, to commit our lives to Jesus, God changes our eternity. He changes our hearts and that means we get to spend eternity with Him.

Friends, let today be the day that you see that God can and will use you to advance His kingdom here on earth. If he can use a prostitute like Rahab, He can use you. Rahab’s story demonstrates that it is faith, not background, nationality, or past failures that brings us into God’s redemptive plan.

Blessings, y’all!

LOVE this arrangement of this old spiritual! They do a great job!!