Free to Rise: Women in God's StoryParaugs

THE INFLUENCER

Meet Rahab. Prostitute. Mother of Boaz. But there was more to who she was than these identities. 

Over the last decade, social media has become the glue that holds global conversations together. Within that world, a new royalty is rising up – the social media influencers. Influencers are the kings and queens of the advertising world and of activism. As children, our parents often admonished us to steer clear of the influence of friends who had the potential to lead us astray. When we think about influence as adults, terms such as “undue influence” or “under the influence” come to mind. 

While influence can be seen as something that moves you off the path of destiny, it can also be used for good. The concept of influence or being an influencer has changed over time. Social media has created a meteoric rise in both the popularity and use of the term “influencer” but also in how positively influence can be used. Rahab’s actions in the Book of Joshua would have likely helped her achieve that coveted official “blue check” status.  

Rahab’s social media profile may have read:  

• Saved spies in Jericho 
• Genealogy of Jesus
• Servant of the Sovereign God

Many influencers choose to represent causes they believe in. Rahab did not come from a people group who believed in the God of Israel. But her ability to be an influencer came from her trust in a foreign God and her bravery in the face of danger. She had seen God save a whole nation (Joshua 2:10-11) and trusted that he would be able to save her family. This level of trust in the unknown is akin to the spiritual discipline of faith in God in our Christian walk. 

Rahab put everything on the line to protect the two spies that Joshua sent to spy out the land. She acted on the evidence of the greatness of God – it wasn’t the God she knew but the God she saw do miracles for the Children of Israel. Her combination of influence and trust gave her a place in the annals of history and even the genealogy of Jesus. 

Rahab also demonstrated bravery by entering into a space where women who were like her had the potential to be judged. Purpose trumped pride. 

Rahab’s reputation meant that others saw her as someone with negative influence, not someone to be remembered in history as an ancestor of Jesus. But she put her life on the line, she was unwavering in her trust of God, and she applied wisdom when dealing with the king. Rahab’s actions are inspiring because she overcame how people saw her, focused only on serving God, and became a history maker.

By Liz Muir, Organization Development Manager (Diversity and Inclusion) at Tearfund UK