1. Introduction: An Unlikely Heroine
She wasn’t a queen. She wasn’t an Israelite. Rahab was a prostitute living in the pagan city of Jericho. Yet her faith and courage would secure her a place in God’s eternal story. Rahab’s name appears not only in the book of Joshua but also in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Her legacy teaches us that God’s grace reaches far and wide—even to the most unlikely individuals.
2. Rahab’s Story in Context: Jericho and Judgment
In Joshua 2, the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land. Jericho, a fortified city of Canaan, was the first stronghold to confront them. God commanded its destruction due to its wickedness. Amid this backdrop of judgment, one woman stands out—not for her status, but for her faith.
3. A Risky Faith: Rahab Hides the Spies
Rahab hides two Israelite spies who entered Jericho to scout the land. When questioned by the king, she misleads the authorities and protects the men. Why? She had heard of the God of Israel. She declared, “The LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11). Her faith compelled her to act. This act of bold belief parallels other stories found in our Christian Living series.
4. The Sign of the Scarlet Cord
Before leaving, the spies instructed Rahab to tie a scarlet cord in her window—a sign of her faith and the means by which she and her family would be saved. This cord, hanging from her home on the city wall, symbolized redemption, much like the blood on Israel’s doorposts in Exodus 12. It also foreshadows the blood of Christ, through whom salvation comes. For another picture of salvation, read how one angel defended Israel from Pharaoh.
5. Rahab in the Lineage of Christ
Rahab was not only saved—she was honored. Matthew 1:5 tells us she became the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth. This places Rahab in the direct ancestry of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. From a prostitute in Jericho to a matriarch in the Messiah’s lineage—such is the redemptive power of God.
6. Rahab’s Faith Remembered
The New Testament remembers Rahab not for her past but for her faith. Hebrews 11:31 says, “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not.” James 2:25 affirms that her actions were an expression of genuine faith. She believed, she acted, and she was saved. For a deeper look into faith and identity, visit our reflection on what believers are promised in eternity.
7. Conclusion: God Writes Redemption into Every Story
Rahab’s story is more than a historical account—it is a testimony of God’s grace. He does not define us by our past but by our faith. Just as Rahab’s trust in the God of Israel transformed her destiny, so too can anyone who believes be brought into God’s redemptive plan.
Her life invites us to believe that no one is too far gone, and that faith, even from the margins, can move mountains. Learn more about stories of faith like this in our Christian Living section.
