But why is she included in the lineage of Jesus? We assume that if imperfect people can think so lowly of us how much worse we must be seen in the eyes of a perfect God. For years, the people of Jericho had existed behind their thick walls. Her circumstances are unknown, but her family may have experienced brokenness that deeply affected her. Its evident in Joshua 2:8-11 that Rahab has little to no confidence in the life shes been living and the gods her people worship. So thankful faith is available for all of us! Rahab, or Rachab (wide), a celebrated woman of Jericho who received the spies sent by Joshua to spy out the land, hid them in her house from the pursuit of her countrymen, was saved with all her family when the Israelites sacked the city, and became the wife of Salmon and the ancestress of the Messiah. Required fields are marked *. The city of Jericho was the first city that the Israelites conquered when they entered the Promised Land. After all, she was an outsider, a woman of ill repute, and someone who should have been their enemy. In short, the City Gates were extremely important in both a practical and symbolic sense. 7 Things I Would Do Differently if I Were Raising My Children California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. So if youre feeling like youre not good enough or youve made too many mistakes, remember Rahabs story and know that there is always hope with God. Are you allowing regret, shame or confusion caused by someone else to keep you on a detour? The Israelites had been instructed by God to march around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, they were to shout and blow their trumpets. One thinks of Audens remarkable poem, The Fall of Rome, when the movement of herds on the European tundra marked the march of Goths and Visigoths: Altogether elsewhere, vast herds of reindeer move across miles and miles of golden moss, silently and very fast.. She received her B.A. Even though the people disobeyed Him, He still had mercy on them and allowed them to enter the Promised Land. 90% of U.S. media (TV, news, radio) is owned by 6 companies. The French flag is called "le tricolore". The rabbis imagine her as a superhumanly seductive woman who knows the secrets of all the men in Jericho, as well as the ultimate example of repentance. 2. And we must always remember that this woman, rehab, was chosen by Almighty God to be a chosen instrument in bringing about salvation to the ends of the earth. Image credit: BublikHaus/Shutterstock. The people would gather at the city gate to praise God and thank Him for His goodness (Psalm 100:4). They say Gods grace covers our sin so it doesnt really matter how we live. Fun Facts About Space. Thank you for catching that! UK. She Lefty a sinful life and saved her own people. Rahab knew what was going on. One of the most important stories in the Bible is the story of the 12 spies. My friend, you can be like Rahab the prostitute, you can choose to live a life that pleases God. Rahab is the brave girl. There is a lot of historical evidence and even biblical evidence that points to her being forced into prostitution. 65. Alaska is both the most western and most eastern state in the United States. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the story of Rahab and learn more about her courageous faith. She didnt just let go of some things, she abandoned EVERYTHING. 2. She is also the author ofHalloween: Harmless Fun or Risky Business? Lobsters have bladders on either side of their heads, so they communicate by urinating at each other. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. In this story, Rahab is a prostitute who lives in Jericho. Why is knowing about the various characters in the Bible important. Rahab is listed in the genealogy of Jesus. Rahab is one of four women mentioned in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus. The name of the French flag is actually very simple, it means "3 colors". Thats what I think of when I see the Jesse Tree. In the 19th century, experts warned women about a disease called bicycle face, which meant getting stuck with the awkward faces they made while biking. In Psalm 87:4 Rahab is likened to Babylon which was destroyed in the sixth century BC. Rahabs story is told in Joshua 2:1-24. 4. Joshua 2:1-24 #AllinAugust pic.twitter.com/QdFkTkkfYX Calvary Baptist (@calvaryrockmart) August 2, 2022, While Rahab is the topic of this message she is the perfect picture of how Gods grace can change a life forever. She began as a Canaanite Prostitute and from her faith and a scarlet rope saved her entire family. She is Known as one of the women of the bible, many women copied the Faith Rahab. She was rewarded for her kindness and ultimately married Joshua, taking her place in the ranks of righteous converts.. Who Was Rahab? 175 Random Facts So Interesting You'll Say, "OMG!" These fun facts about everything from the cosmos to the inner workings of your body will blow your mind. This beautiful new land was dangerous. She exercised it. 2. In addition to founding three churches, and the call as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, Dr. Milton is a retired Army Chaplain (Colonel). So while Rahab is not as well-known as some other biblical figures, she played a key role in Gods plan for redemption. The Book of Joshua marks the moment and describes the first movements of the Conquest: And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, Go, view the land, especially Jericho. And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there (Joshua 2:1). 2. Its not the tree that stands out, but the stories attached to it, each pointing to the faithfulness of God and His love for us. Rahab was spared when Jericho was destroyed. Take the word of a prostitute and spend an indeterminate time living in her house waiting for the Israelites to attack. Rahab kept them safe and helped the spies to escape. Rahab was a creative problem solver. Learn more about theStory of Rahab from Christianity.com. You can find the story of Rahab in the Bible in Joshua chapters two and six. 66. All your hair is dead. Rahabs livelihood was her security. Abraham met with God at the city gate of Hebron (Genesis 18:1), and when Moses wanted to meet with God, he had to go outside the camp and wait by the city gate (Exodus 33:7). The biblical story, however, suggests a . The name of God is not mentioned in the book- this is the only book of the Bible in which God is not named. The color scarlet was often associated with sin and judgment in the Bible, but in this case it represented Rahabs faith in God and her willingness to protect His people. How did Rahab show faith? But she knew that she needed to trust God at that moment and so she did. Even more, Rahab was, soon, engrafted into the physical family of Israel as she became the wife of Salmon, one of the leaders of Israel who supported Moses when they left Egypt. [23] Until the 1980s, it was illegal for a. In fact, you lose some every day without noticing. Read More 5 Ways to Let Go and Let God Handle ItContinue. Historians believe that the Wall of Jericho was actually built around 8,000 years ago during the Neolithic period. By Hebrew definitions, she should be dead. The program, called Acoustic Kitty, involved surgically implanting batteries, microphones and antennae inside cats. The Forgotten Mothers of the Bible. In return, the spies promised to spare her and her family when Jericho was destroyed. Quechua. Its deemed irresponsible. In addition, she is a great example of the power of God to transform us from our sinful state into the person He wants us to be. Rahab didn't disclaim that she had "entertained" the men. She asked for what she wanted knowing the Hebrew spies had no reason to give it to her. 9. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Rahabs husband is chronicled in both the Old and New Testaments (1 Chronicles 2:10-11, Ruth 4:20-21, Matthew 1:4-5 and Luke 3:32). Hence, it is strange that a Harlot, a Canaanite, and a liar is known as a distinguished Bible figure. This act of bravery led to Rahab and her family being spared when Jericho was destroyed. The Israelite army had just arrived in the Promised Land, and their first task was to conquer the city of Jericho. Download our free Rahab Bible Study pdf worksheets and join us! Thanks so much! Rahab was a resident of Jericho, who sheltered two spies whom Joshua had sent to scout out the city. For Rahab believed. 2. The prostitute. Jericho was situated on a main highway at the crossroads of three continents. For Rahab trusted in God who fulfilled the covenantal promise to Abraham that he would be given land from which would bring a nation, and a descendant, who would bless the earth. When the Israelites were about to invade Jericho, Rahab helped two spies escape from the city and hid them from the authorities. The Gideons International in Canada employs 32 people and has an annual budget of $8 million. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, (Matthew 1:5 NKJV). The others are Ruth, Tamar and Bathsheba. Rahab, the woman with whom the spies were staying, protected them by hiding them on her roof. The Bible used the word harlot not only to refer to prostitutes but also to anyone who worshipped idolsthose who prostitutedthemselves before pagan gods. The people of Jericho were terrified of the Israelites, and they barricaded themselves inside the city walls. On the contrary, dogs bob their head up and down when chasing prey. One of the more disturbing yet interesting fun facts: All the hair on your head is dead, except for the follicles. Finally, Rahab believed that God would reward her for helping the two spies, her, Rahab the prostitute. She is popularly known as the prostitute who helped the Israelite spies. The story of Rahab is found in the Old Testament book of Joshua. It took a lot of courage to defy a king. In Rahab's day, it was normal for women to be bought and sold for sex (or even marriage). You may get so hung up on the idea that theres a harlot in the lineage of Christ that you may never fully stop to consider the lessons we can learn from Rahab. What scripture doesnt explicitly state in the facts about Rahab is whether this occupation was voluntary or not. Humble Rahab was humble, as she considered herself unworthy of salvation. Trusts in God. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Moses was the youngest among the three children and he was the grandson of Kohath and great grandson of Levi. Most of them just skim the surface of Rahabs story. When I hear Tower of Babel my, Read More Nimrod and the Story of the Tower of BabelContinue, Its easy to overlook the importance of repentance in the Bible. 8. Their bodies convert waste into protein. One of God's good girls. Whenever the Army of Israel entered Canaan, Rahab acted. The story of Rahab and the spies from Israel is one of the most popular in the Bible. Miraculously, at his cue, the walls of Jericho came crashing down, and the Israelites were able to march into the city and claim it as their own. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way (James 2:25)? Esperanto. Rahab is the first Gentile recorded in the Bible as having converted to Judaism. A shrimp's heart is located in its head. Rahab hid the Israelite spies and helped them escape. The Rahab story, shows faith triumphing over the King of the Amorites by her faith. We see this played out throughout history, and it continues to happen today. We wouldnt have had that awesome story of Rahabs faith in the Bible. Whereas many Bible passages in both the Old and the New Testament indicate that lying is sinful, 1 critics of the inspiration of the Bible contend that the biblical teaching on this subject is contradictory. Each of us has to run the race set before us if we are going to accomplish what God has given us to do. The Bible talks about Rahabs faith. Righteous Rahab was righteous, as evidenced by her later conversion to faith in God. The account of Rahab Reminds us that from the moment we choose to believe and follow God, the impact we have on the world can change. Theres so much to learn <3, So happy to hear that Judy! Judges would sit at the city gate to hear cases and render verdicts (Deuteronomy 21:19, Ruth 4:1-2, Psalm 69:12). Rahab's Risk This is one of the acts for which Rahab is immortalized. Final Thoughts Facts about Rahab in the Bible, Use Google Church Grant For Your Church $10,000 / Month - God Bless Steve, Stuck on Sermon / Need Class Ideas / Outlines / Ask Ja, Copyright 1920-2023 Jesus Leadership Training. 2. Raphael had art in his blood. The City Gates was extremely important in the ancient world for both security and symbolic reasons. Of course, the Canaanites were infamous for cultic prostitution related to idolatrous worship. The quote, Let go and let God instructs us to let go of the things in our lives that are out of our control. complete lack of inhibition or restraint. These are the words I use to describe the character of Rahab in the Bible. Scholars disagree on whether it was 1406 BC or 1250 BC. It portrays a lack of commitment or diligence; sometimes to a task and other times towards a person or relationship. And the Bible does a good job of showing us what to do but with so many male leads its sometimes hard to visualize what a woman who pleases God looks like. I loved this! Whatever Rahab was before Israel crossed into the land of the Canaanites she became someone new in the promised land. Random fun facts are great for breaking the ice, impressing a . The character study on Rahab the harlot uncovers some key lessons. #purposedbook. 24. Rahab is best known for her role in helping the Israelites conquer Jericho. By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. And as soon as we heard, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the, This is one of my favorite chapters to work through in the Rahab Bible Study, For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, who you utterly destroyed. We were looking for it because we liked it so much. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Did she expect that she would one day be the ancestor of Christ? 5. 23. God parted the waters of the Jordan River for themwill He likewise provide miracles and blessings to her Ephraimite clan if they can rejoin their people? She is one of the prominent figures in the Christian tradition. Not solely because of the type of livelihood she was leaving behind (although thats a part of it) but primarily because Rahab was no in a position to easily take care of herself. But these are barren lands with plants that have adapted to freezing cold winters and harsh soil conditions. She found God and she ran to Him and He gave her an entirely new identity. 2. And God was far more concerned with who Rahab was than with what she did. From a security standpoint, the gates served as the main point of entry into the city and were heavily guarded. He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit. This was in keeping with Gods command that all the inhabitants of Canaan be destroyed. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Who came to rescue the earth from God's destruction? In a lot of modern churches, they claim theres not really a need for it. So He tells the Israelites in Deuteronomy 9:5, It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Rahab was quick to abandon the life she had built for the HOPE of a new one. 1. Youll come to understand why as we continue to study through her story, which you can find in the book of Joshua. As Rahab lived in the wilderness among the Israelites, she had to wrestle with this question. Prostitution was probably not Rahab's first choice for a profession. Belief Rahab believed in Gods promise of salvation, even before she had seen any evidence of it. The Bible calls her Rahab the prostitute because that was her defining trait. <3 Glad to hear this post was helpful! What I admire so much about Rahab is that she took the reckless route. Rahabs story is a reminder that anyone can be used by God, no matter their background or station in life. Third, Rahab takes great risks to help the spies, including hiding them in her own home. You can't detour out of the grace of God. When playing with female puppies, male puppies will often let them win, even if they have a physical advantage. Would the kings men have found the spies if they had decided to search the house? Esther is one of only two books in the Bible named after a woman. 20. Rahab is a very important figure in the Bible, appearing in both the book of Joshua and the New Testament. To learn more visit and subscribe: https://michaelmilton.org/about/. A lot of the women featured in the Bible are walk-on characters who werent even given a name let alone enough screen time for us to really know anything about them. What if she was actually the descendant of Joseph, a member of the Ephraimite tribe? So, while city gates served many purposes in Bible times, their most important function was as a place where people could meet with God. When we abandon them we are essentially starving them; no longer allowing them to feast on the things that sustain them. His parents are Amram and Jochebed from the tribe of Levi. The story of Rahab and the spies would have been very different if she hadnt been a quick thinker. What a story! This is one of my favorite chapters to work through in the Rahab Bible Study (find it here!). There it is: "Your God is God." Unmistakably a statement of fact and a confession of faith. First, this story teaches us that God is faithful to His promises. Like Rahab, we have to determine what we will believe about God. If so, it is likely that she had other family members in Jericho who were also struggling to make ends meet. For Rahab, the God of Israel is also the God of Jericho. This story highlights Rahabs faith, as she endangered her own life to help the Israelites. When your city has fortified walls, its easy to believe your city is impenetrable. Either that or they seem to be such perfect paragons of virtue (like Hannah who prayed when she was provoked instead of punching her aggressor in the face). Covenants In the Bible (Starting In Genesis), Nimrod and the Story of the Tower of Babel, 6 Examples of True Repentance in the Bible. He doesnt function by human design. The two spies walk up to a house thats set in the wall of Jericho and meet a woman, Rahab. Rahab was from Jericho. It is interesting to note that Matthew is the only biblical writer to tell us that Rahab was the mother-in-law of Ruth. Xhosa. Her identity. You might think from her profession that she was destined to die an early death, to fade away into shame, the disgraced woman. Second, Rahab specifically mentions her father and mother in her conversation with the spies. One million Earths could fit inside the sun. Covenants inspire hope. But Rahab believed in the power of the Hebrew God, all she had heard were stories but she believed He was powerful enough to deliver Jericho into the hands of His people. 3. The English language is spoken in more than 100 countries around the world. Rahab is mentioned in both the Old Testament and New Testament, and her story is an example of Gods grace and redemption. My guess is youve heard her described much differently. As an Amazon affiliate I earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. His name means "lofty, exalted, or high mountain." There is no information about his birth or his early years. The gospel that Jesus, those before Him, and the disciples after Him taught is a gospel of repentance., Read More 6 Examples of True Repentance in the BibleContinue. Later, in Joshua 6, we are told that Rahabs house was located in the city wall, suggesting that she operated her business out of a brothel.While Rahab is the topic of this message she is the perfect picture of how Gods grace can change a life forever. What made her do that? Forgive my blunt language but when it all boiled down to it, that was the choice Rahabs family had to make: To save her familys lives, Rahab managed to convince her whole family two things: The story of Rahab is about one womans courage and her actions that saved her entire family. In the Book of Joshua, Rahab (a heroine nonetheless known as "Rahab the Harlot") assisted two Israelite spies in escaping out a window and down the city wall of Jericho. He was 500 years old when he had his three sons. I hope you enjoyed this summary of the story of Rahab in the Bible! Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. We find two names linked in holy matrimony: Salmon and Rahab. (the head of Lets Talk Bible Study) unless otherwise stated. Why? If you've never heard of these languages, you aren't alone. 3. Years earlier, He had delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. Rahabs example of abandon reminds us that there are many things we are given in life that we are not meant to hold onto. Interesting and Fun Animal Facts 1. When something is abandoned it is no longer receiving the nurture it needs to grow. Ive always wondered, but I think Rahab had enough flax to completely cover the two Israelite spies. Joshua 2:1-24 #AllinAugust pic.twitter.com/QdFkTkkfYX. Rahab chose to have faith that God existed and that He was faithful to deliver the land He had promised to His people. As Christians, we are taught that we should live lives that please God. I am not yet a mother myself. Faith accepts that God rewards those who pursue a relationship with Him. She didnt just let go of some things, she abandoned EVERYTHING. Then they heard about the Israelites. How could it be that Rahab the prostitute became Rahab, the mother of Boaz? His most recent book is a second edition release: Hit by Friendly Fire: What to do when Another Believer Hurts You(Resource Publications, 2022). Cookie Monster's real name is Sid. (from here on out well refer to it as the Promised Land). Rahab; the girl lost in an incredibly sinful life. Rahab married Salmon and had children. We dont know how many persons were in her family, but I loved the fact that she thought of them all. If she didn't, they'd be free from their promise to her. In the Old Testament, they are seemingly unrelated. 46 Interesting Facts You Probably don't Know. Read More Covenants In the Bible (Starting In Genesis)Continue. He is the ultimate judge of character, and He can redeem even the most unlikely people for His purposes. They didnt necessarily deny Gods existence, but they had little reverence for God as the sovereign One and saw no problem with giving glory to idols and other deities. It was the norm. I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you (Joshua 2:9 NIV). She was a prostitute who became a believer and played a key role in the Israelite conquest of Jericho. Your email address will not be published. Rahab became a member of the Israelite community. }); While the Canaanites were living large and partying doing all the things that were grotesquely sinful things (child sacrifices, idol worship, pagan rituals including but not limited to sexual perversions), God was faithfully bringing the Israelites to the land He had promised them in Genesis 15:18-21 and Exodus 33:1-3. But reading your article I find that there are some ADDITIONAL things I needed to know. The more common introduction (the reason people are shocked that shed have the honor of being in the lineage of Jesus): This leads us to Rahabs real shining moment; The Story of Rahab and the Spies at Jericho, as given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. I found the story of Rahab very touching and its boost my faith and trust in God. As such, Raphael most likely spent his formative years in contact with the court. )She was a "harlot", and probably combined the trade of . Why Do We Need to Be Crucified with Christ? By including these four women in Christ's genealogy, Matthew is making the claim that God's great plan of salvation includes Gentiles, even unrighteous Gentiles. I imagine that being a harlot in Jericho was a life that came with its own stigma. 95 Fun Facts That Will Amaze You By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer Published August 19, 2020 American flags left on the moon will eventually get bleached white by the sun. Of all the things Rahab left behind, I bet this was the one she was most happy to let go of. It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky. It may very well have been that Rahab was "a religious prostitute in pagan practices. Matthew 16:25. The confidence in Rahabs statements here astounds me. We talk about making an impact finding purpose in life but seldom do we realize that to walk out the things God created us for often requires us to abandon things of this world that define us; the culture we live in, our own ideologies, status, and even how we view ourselves. She wasnt a woman in the highest echelons of society, yet she was willing to risk her life for what she believed. Moonquakes. Some biblical scholars maintain that Rahab, the woman who hid Joshuas two spies, was a harlot or prostitute. window.fd('form', { According to the Bible, the walls of Jericho were destroyed by Joshua and the Israelites when they invaded the city (Joshua 6:1-27). Rahab is the ever-present message of God to you: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. A purchase? In the 1960s, the CIA tried to spy on the Kremlin and Russian embassies by turning cats into listening devices. Or remain where they were and trust in the security of the city walls and the strength of their army. The story of Rahab is a powerful reminder of Gods love and grace. She refused to nurture those things anymore. What is the History of the King of Jericho? Something tells me she had been waiting for an opportunity like this; a chance to escape the darkness in Canaan and the hurt of her life. Fast-forward a couple of hundred years and the next place we find Rahab is in the genealogy of Christ. But there was no hanky-panky between Rahab and the spies, she had been able to see through their disguise and knew there was a greater force at work. It must have been an interesting time to be alive because though there would have been fear, a lot of persons would have stubbornly stuck to their old ways. 3. Rahab is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew. Women in that position often struggled to provide for themselves (the book of Ruth draws great attention to this). 2. Ruth is not a whore but a Moabite, a member of a despised people. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon, and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. It had been 40 years since Joshua, Israels leader at the time, had set eyes on the promised land. 101 Fun Facts 1. Humans share 50% of their DNA with bananas. It was beautiful. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Her bravery saved the lives of the Israelite spies and ultimately led to the fall of Jericho. COPYRIGHT 2023 Tanner Ministry Outlets, LLC. Along with the five traditional senses of sound, sight, touch, smell and taste, humans have 15 "other senses.". It's funded by membership dues, non-member donations, bequests and major gifts and donations from its 275 chapters.
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