I have been reading about Rahab as the next instalment in this series. There is so much to unpack about her and her life but I will try to condense it into a quick read for you.
Rahab’s story can be found in the book of Joshua in the Old Testament – Chapter 2 to be precise.
Rahab we are informed is a prostitute. I read while doing some research that some people like to water down what Rahab was, some calling her a hostess. No, she was not. The bible clearly says she was a prostitute, and we need to get our heads around this. To water her down into something that makes it more palatable for us doesn’t do her story justice in my opinion.
We are not given any background information on Rahab – why she was doing the job that she was doing for example. We can make some presumptions though. Firstly, she was at the stage in her life where she most likely needed to survive. However, the fact that she had a residence of her own may suggest she was at least able to provide a roof over her own head.
She lived in the wall. It is likely that Rahab, along with the poorer members of society lived in residences between the outer and the inner walls of the city. What I do believe is that Rahab had at least one side of her house in the wall itself and it had a window. This will become relevant later in her story.
Of course the wealthier you were, you most likely were afforded the safety and protection of the inner wall.
(Above: an artists depiction of the two walls of Jericho)
Jericho was a well-fortified city, as stated, with two incredibly thick strong walls.
Two more characters are pivotal in the story of Rahab – the Israelite spies that Joshua sent to Jericho to have a little sneaky look around. Jericho you see was in the path that the Israelite nation was heading – on the way to the Promised Land. It needed to be taken.
The very first verse of chapter 2 says that the spies were sent out in secret. Well, I don’t know what happened, but they may have failed spy school! The king himself seemed to know pretty quickly that they were in the city! Come on guys!
I can only imagine that these two guys maybe stood out like pimples on a pumpkin! How else would people know they were there! I mean this was a city – filled with people. Perhaps, their clothing, skin colour, too many questions etc gave them away. Or at least made people suspect them.
Well, they were clever enough to head to the city prostitute. Perhaps they thought no one would think to look there for two Israelites.
I don’t for a minute think that Rahab was just a body. To survive, she must have had a brain about her. The scenario seems to play out pretty quickly. It doesn’t say how long they were in her house, but we know they ‘stayed’ there. I wonder if she had to turn away regular clients to keep up the ruse for a little while. Perhaps this made some influential men start to ask questions!
Soon, she was being questioned, a situation that must have made her heart sink. She was in a very precarious position. She would have had almost zero legal standing and remember we are looking at a time in history when the word of a woman was often not even taken as evidence.
Rahab seemed like she was clever enough to know that there was going to be a whole lot more to this story unfolding under her roof and she dealt with the King and his men. She basically sent them on a wild goose chase. Admitting that yes, the men had come to her (no lies being told!), but that they were already on their way back to the Israelite camp. That they had gotten out as the city gate was being closed. She used dusk as a cover – the light would have been awful – who knows you can’t see a thing looking into the sun, and there perhaps were other merchants and travellers who also left as the gates closed. Or perhaps came in. Whichever the case, there could have been quite a few people mingling and moving around the gates.
We know from our previous look at Tamar that she went to the city gate to pretend to be a prostitute and trick her father-in-law , so the kings men would have no real reason to question the fact that Rahab knew what was going on around the city gates. This could have been very normal behaviour. Rahab encouraged them to act quickly in order to catch up with the spies.
She had however taken them up to her rooftop and hidden the two men under the stalks of flax she had there. Flax is a plant used to make linen, but I am guessing was also a great roof liner!
(Above: Stalks of flax)
Jericho being the city that it was, and Rahab in the industry she was in, I am sure she grew up hearing the tales of the mighty Israelites. She possibly laid in bed with men who wanted to charm her with stories that they had heard about Red Sea crossings and other such miracles. The Israelites would have had a reputation of winning battles and news like that travels far and wide. Rahab seemed to have a sense of what these men were up to and she was astute enough to make sure she was going to be paid back for this kindness.
For a woman who also would have grown up under idol worship, the acknowledgement of “the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” proves that the truth and fame of the Lord speaks for itself. I wonder how long in her heart of hearts did she have a feeling that she needed to know more, to be a part of something more.
I just get this sense that God saw her, saw her heart. Had perhaps spent years softening her spirit to acknowledge and accept Him regardless of where she grew up, her childhood influences and her choice of work.
How amazing!
Rahab had faith in a God she had not had any experience with. But then, she is not really unlike Abraham or Moses I suppose. We are not to question how God reveals himself to people, especially those that He has chosen and placed in specific moments in history to make sure His plan is ultimately fulfilled.
Rahab was bold and courageous, a little like she herself had heard the words of Moses spoken over Joshua. She stood strong and asked for certain protection. Not only for herself, but for her whole family. We have no insight into the relationship she had with her family, what do you think it might have looked like?
How did her dad feel about her? Her mum or siblings? Perhaps they benefited enough from her ‘work’ that they turned a blind eye. Or it’s likely it was going to take some convincing for them to take refuge in her home.
The spies lived up to their honourable personas and promised on their lives that Rahab and her family would be spared. The first of 2 ropes were hung from the window, the spies were assisted in their escape along with instructions on how to avoid any pursuers. In return, they gave Rahab very specific detail on what she needed to do in order for her protection to be sealed. A scarlet cord was to be hung from her window – a sign to the whole Israelite nation that she was to be saved.
We are able thousands of years down the track to see the link between the scarlet cord and the blood of Jesus on the cross. It is also reminiscent of the lambs blood put over doorways in Egypt on the night of Passover. Remember – the Old Testament is the link, the map, the descriptor of Christ. The whole thing points to Jesus.
As I am finding out as I go along, there is conditions to the promise from the spies. If, when the battle comes and any of Rahab’s family are found outside away from the place of the scarlet cord, then there was no guarantees of their safety. Protection will come for those prepared to trust.
Time moves on, the Israelite nation has seen the hand of God hold back yet another body of water (The River Jordan) , they performed mass circumcisions and celebrated Passover. Its unclear the length of time that could have passed between the promise to Rahab and how things were progressing on their way to take the city of Jericho.
During all of this time, we have absolutely zero mention of how Rahab is holding up. I don’t know about you, but are you curious? How many times a day do you think she headed to her window and glanced out over the plains? Do you think she suffered any ridicule or questioning from her family? Like an ancient boy who cried wolf scenario? Sounds a little like perhaps the wait that Noah had, building a boat when it had never rained. I wonder if the city itself just got on with their day to day? It does say in verse 1 of Chapter 6 that the gates of Jericho were secured and no one was allowed to come and go. So there must have been some feeling of impending trouble.
But then……
The Israelite army started marching!
Yes, marching!
Quietly, not a sound. Around the city.
Day 1……okaaaayyyyyy!
I wonder what Rahab could make out from her window. I am sure she could hear others around her chatting among themselves, pondering what the actual was going on. Especially as the Israelite army just walked around once, then went home for the night.
Day 2 I think would have drawn a bit more attention. A few more curious spectators.
Day 3 and 4, bring on the soldiers mocking from their vantage points, maybe a few cheeky teenagers being all bravado.
Day 5 and 6 I can imagine the marketplace. People going about their every day. Gossiping about those crazy Israelites and how the rumours of this fearsome army of this “so-called” God must have all been lies, or their reputation enhanced by weary travellers who needed a tale to tell.
Rahab I think must have had a faith that she maybe really didn’t even comprehend. A faith that kept her safely in her home, encouraging her family to do the same, all while wondering what this army of God believers was up to.
Day 7 – well here they come again! Off these crazy soldiers go on their daily walk around the walls. But – wait – what’s this? They are going around again!
How many laps do you think it may have taken for the residents of Jericho to get that deep pit in their stomach kind of feeling? That sense that overcomes you when you know something significant is about to happen.
SHOUT!!!!!!!!
Remember Rahab is living in the wall of the city. The roar that must have risen from the mighty army of Israel after 6 days of preparation must have been both bone-chilling and awesome.
Then the rumble of stone moving under their feet, around their bodies. Have you been in an earthquake? I have – not a big one, but big enough to make me fall over and realise just how small I am in the grand scheme of things.
I cannot fathom how it must have felt to Rahab and her loved ones to see the two familiar faces rush to her home, reach out their hands and offer them the way out as promised of the destruction already occurring all around them.
This is so far from fairy tale stuff. There was a fortified city falling all around them, armed soldiers storming the streets. Men, women and children being killed where they stood and fire breaking out as the Israelites obeyed instructions. Rahab is incredible as she trusts her very life into the hands of two men she barely knows as well as a nation bent on overcoming hers.
I have so enjoyed re-reading her story. I think as we watch the world events unfolding around us, Rahab’s story is more profound now than ever before.
Rahab trusted and had faith in a God that she herself had no personal relationship or experience of. She had heard tales and stories – possibly her whole life – and it was more than enough for her to ask the questions.
The fact that she dug deeper and decided to put her trust in something stirring in her heart just gives me goosebumps. God is so incredible. Rahab through all her life of trouble, misfortune and maybe poor choices was chosen by God for greater things and her heart was softened, ready for it.
None of her story would have made sense to her at the time I am certain of that. But isn’t that the best part?
Now here is the ending that you have all been waiting for…..
Just what happened to Rahab? Why is she significant?
Well, Rahab goes on to marry Salmon, an Israelite and a member of the Tribe of Judah. She has a son….named Boaz!
Rahab is named in the lineage of Christ!
Now I don’t know about you, but I think that is worth doing a little dance for!
Well played God – well played!
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