The book of Joshua is about the second generation of Israelites who take possession of the land God had promised them. It is a book of warfare, diplomacy, and espionage. In chapter two, there is an interesting story about a woman who becomes an ally of Israel, Rahab. Rahab is a resident of the great walled city of Jericho, which was one of the first major obstacles for Israel to overcome in possessing the Promised Land.
Joshua sends two spies to infiltrate Jericho to gather intelligence for the upcoming battle. The king of Jericho hears of this and begins a search for the spies. However, Rahab hides them in her house, in exchange for the safety of her family when Israel invades Jericho. The reason Rahab gave for doing this was because of the reputation of Israel's God. Rahab testified, "the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath." At that moment, Rahab became a follower of the one true God.
If you do not know the story of Rahab, you may be surprised at what she did for a living - she was a prostitute. However, upon hearing of the greatness of God, and given the opportunity to believe, she did, and her life was transformed.
What may be more surprising about Rahab, is that she became an acestor to a great lineage of descendants. After the battle of Jericho, the Israelites allowed Rahab and her family to become part of their community, and she eventually married, and had a family of her own. Her impressive list of progeny include Ruth, Jesse, David, and Jesus. That's right, a one-time pagan prostitue was an ancestor of our Lord!
The story of Rahab is a great lesson that God can use anyone, in spite of whatever background or lifestyle one had. The Bible is full of unlikely heroes whom the world dismisses, but God never gives up on. Maybe you feel unworthy of God's love, or there is nothing you can offer to God. If that is your feeling, just remember, one of Jesus' great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, grandmother's was a prostitue.
Suggested Reading:
*Joshua Chapter Two
*Matthew 1:1-17
*Hebrews Chapter Eleven (notice verses 30-31)
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