Rahab- a journey from shame to honour

Yesterday we read of the call to Joshua to be strong and courageous- and in the early chapters of the book of Joshua we meet a woman who showed great courage, with unexpected consequences.
Rahab was a prostitute living and working in the city of Jericho. She is introduced in Joshua 2:1 by her occupation, with her name added almost as an afterthought as though she only existed to offer a service, to be used as a commodity. Her job defined her, in a way that brought her only shame.

And yet, she found the courage not only to offer shelter to the spies Joshua sent into Jericho, but even to hide them in her house at considerable risk to herself. Because of her actions, she and her family are spared when Jericho falls.

"But Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved. Her family has lived in Israel ever since." Joshua 6:25

Not only does Rahab survive, but she thrives in her new community. She marries Salmon, and they become the parents of Boaz...and she finds her place in the family tree of Jesus in Matthew 1:5. What a long way she has travelled! And who knows what small acts of courage today might be the start of a transformational journey for us?


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