Grace, The Life Changer

If there were ever a person known for her livelihood and sin, it was Rahab.  She was a prostitute in the city of Jericho.  This fact is mentioned four times in Joshua chapter 2 and chapter 6. She lived on the outskirts of town, in the outer wall of the city, probably where the outcasts lived.  Her story is a beautiful example of God’s grace.  He redeems her, makes her new, and creates a new identity for her.  He does the same for us today.  Because of the redemption offered to us through Jesus’ sacrifice, God extends His grace to each one who, in faith, believes.  The idea of grace is beautifully simple, yet complex, so for the month of October, we will explore the mystery and beauty of God’s grace.

Rahab and the Spies

This story begins when Joshua sent two spies into Jericho.  Rahab, the prostitute, took them in and hid them, so that they would not be harmed.  When the king of Jericho sent men to her house to inquire about the spies, she lied and said that they left the city before the gate was to be shut for the night.

Rahab’s Faith

Over the years, Rahab had heard the rumors about what God had done for the Israelites.  The whole land and all the people in it, including Rahab and her family, had been overcome by fear of the Israelites and their God.  Even though she had never met God, she believed that He was the “God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2: 11).  Because of this faith, she asked the spies to show her kindness by sparing her life and the life of all her family members when they came back to take over the city.  After making an oath guaranteeing her family’s safety, she let them down by a rope, out of her window.

Rahab’s Rescue

The time came when Joshua was to lead his army in seven days of marching around Jericho.  After the seventh circle around Jericho, on the seventh day, Joshua gave the order to blast the trumpets and shout because the Lord had given them the city.  When the wall crumbled, Joshua sent the same two spies into the city for Rahab, the prostitute, and her family.  They were to be the only people spared.  She and her family were brought out of the city and given a place to live outside the Israelite’s camp.

Rahab’s New Identity

This woman, who most likely was judged and shunned by her people heard of the fame and glory of the Lord.  She believed what she heard, and wanted to take part in a nation that was so well cared for by their God.

Because of her faith, the Lord showed Rahab grace and took her from where she was, a pagan and prostitute, and gave her a home among the Israelites, His chosen people.  Among all of the other people of Jericho, He chose her to fulfill his purpose and to save.  Not only did he give her a home among His people, but He also gave her a place in the genealogy of Jesus!  She was the great, great grandmother of King David, who was in the direct line of Jesus!  Now that is a beautiful picture of God’s saving grace.

Grace for Others

Tears fill my eyes and my heart quickens as I reflect on this.  Think about what this means for a moment.  If God can redeem and use prostitutes in the Old Testament to fulfill His purposes, He can redeem and use anyone who has a heart that seeks Him.  No matter what is a part of your past, He can and will redeem, restore, and use you to fulfill His purposes.  This is such an encouragement for me.  As a woman who has been divorced, I have struggled with the idea that God could or would choose to use me to fulfill His purposes on this earth.  However, because of His grace, He chooses to use me, in spite of who I am.

Many times, we are quick to place our judgments onto others because they have done things of which we don’t approve.  On the exterior, Rahab seemed like any other pagan, Canaanite woman.  Nevertheless, God saw her heart and her faith and blessed her.  Oh, if we could look at others’ hearts and souls instead of their exteriors, we might see what God does, beauty and promise.  Then, we might be more apt to be grace givers.

Be blessed.