The book of Joshua starts out with the Lord’s charge to lead the Israelites after the death of Moses. He was to lead them across the Jordan to the Promised Land. One of their first obstacles was to take down the city of Jericho. One of the most pivotal moments is in chapter 2, when spies went to the house of Rahab to scout out the land. She lived within the walls of Jericho. Word got out to the king of Jericho that there were spies in the city. When the spies came to her she hid them on the roof under bundles of flax because the king’s men had come looking for them.
The bible states that Rahab was a harlot. She acknowledged God’s power and what he had done to deliver the Israelites. Because of her faithfulness her and her family was preserved when the Israelites conquered Jericho. They told her to hang a scarlet cord out her window and none her family would perish.
Despite of Rahab’s sin and her occupation, she had clearly given her life over to the Lord. She believed in the Lord and feared Him. This is such a turning point in history. She made that one decision that changed her entire life and the life of others. Rahab and her family were taken to a safe place. Later, she married Salmon,who was a prince of Judah. She was the mother of Boaz. Great, great grandmother to King David. She is an ancestor to Jesus Christ. In Luke 3:32, you will find where she falls in the lineage of Christ.
One decision made such a difference. Can you look back in your life and see where one decison changed everything? Don’t ever think that someone is ever beyond the help of the Lord. How encouraging it is to see how God can pull us out of the dirt and wash us clean.
“By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that beleived not, when she had received the spies with peace.”
Hebrews 11:31