Real Redemption - Rahab's Story

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Rahab might be my favorite woman in the Bible.  I can relate to her more than I want to admit.  She has a past that would be shameful to most.  And there are also attributes about Rahab that I admire.  Her strength and willingness to take a stand - something I wish I could would do.  She could see God moving and knew that there was something more - not just that God was real, but He could be real to her and His love and mercy could be for her.

Rahab is known by her former title throughout the Bible - "Rahab the Prostitute."  But hers is a story of redemption!  She allowed God to use her and work through her, in spite of her past.  God knew who she was and used her anyway - redeeming her into a new identity.

God never allows our past to define our future - WE DO!  We limit who or what we can become by who or what we have been.  God has used prostitutes, murderers, thieves, liars, adulterers, and the list goes on and on.  He can radically change the trajectory of your life...if you will let Him and accept His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace, His love.

I was always a good girl.  I followed rules.  I didn't want to be in trouble. I didn't want to disappoint people.  But I have made mistakes.  And I made bad choices.  And I disappointed people.  And I lived in disgrace and tried to hide my past - because what would people think?  I was allowing people to define me by my mistakes - by my sins.

And then I read about Rahab.  People never forgot who she had been, but God fully redeemed her.  Rahab's obedience and faith saved not only herself, but the two spies, her entire family, and who knows how many other Israelite lives.

But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family...because she hid the men...

and she lives among the Israelites to this day.

Joshua 6:25

As you continue reading the Bible, you will find that Rahab marries an Israelite man and has a son, who they name Boaz.  Boaz goes on to marry and REDEEM a Moabite woman named Ruth and they have a son named Obed.  Obed has a son named Jesse who has a son named David - who was described as "a man after God's own heart" - who became one of Israel's greatest kings.  Then generations later, a boy named Jesus, would be born in Bethlehem from the line of David.

I can't exactly pinpoint why I love Rahab and her story so much.  Maybe it's because I see myself in her story.  Maybe it's because, although she is always remembered by her sin, she is identified as a hero - one who has been justified.  Maybe it's the precious and tender way the hand of the God she didn't know, but KNEW, reached down and protected her - completely changing her forever.  Maybe because her story seems so real.  Maybe because, although she can never shake her former self in the eyes of man, her Father now only knows her as "Daughter." "Faithful." "Redeemed."  Maybe it's because I can see a glimpse of hope for my own life.


You can read more about Rahab's story at She Reads Truth.  Also read Joshua 2:1 - 24, 6:21 - 25; Matthew 1;1 - 6; James 2:25; Hebrews 11:1 and 31.