Unexpected: Five Women in the Lineage of JesusSample

Rahab: Faith Against All Odds

By Carolyn Haas

At this time of Rahab’s story, the Israelites have been wandering in the desert for 40 years, and they’re about to cross over into the Promised Land. Joshua is the leader of the people since Moses died, and he sends out two men to “spy on Jericho.”

The two spies go to Jericho and enter the house of Rahab, a prostitute, who hides them and lies to the government about them. After negotiating a deal with the spies, she tells them:

“I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you...For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed...For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.”

Here is what is so profound: Rahab declares her faith in God, and she talks about the miracles she has heard about, not seen. Sihon and Og were more recent kings (Numbers 21:21–35), but the parting of the Red Sea happened at least 40 years prior.

It’s doubtful that Rahab was over 40 years old since she is a prostitute and at the time not married with kids—the only family members mentioned are siblings, parents, etc. So this miracle most likely occurred before she was born. Yet she boldly declares her faith—even risking her life for it—because she knows her only hope is in God.

After that, the Israelites conquer Jericho, and the spies keep their promise to Rahab, which saves Rahab herself and her entire family.

Not only did her faith save her life—and the lives of her family—but it also changed a family history, legacy, and genealogy. She gave birth to leaders and kings, her great-great-great-grandchild David penning so many Psalms, which had a significant impact on the way Christians worship today.

Questions:

1. What impact has your faith and obedience had on your life? What about the lives of those around you?
2. How can you practically increase your faith?
3. What courageous steps of faith and obedience is God asking you to take today?