'Bad' Moms of the Bible: How God Works Through Our Worst MomentsSample

Rahab: A Tainted Past

By Jennifer Huff

Rahab’s promiscuous past was well-known in Jericho. She lived a life that many frowned upon. Yet, within her heart stirred a belief in a God she had only heard about—a God of the Israelites who performed wonders and delivered His people.

When two Israelite spies sought refuge, Rahab’s faith moved her to hide them, risking her life. This act of courage and faith not only spared her life but also set her on a path to redemption. She confessed, “For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below” (Joshua 2:11).

Rahab’s confession was not in vain. Because of her faith, God protected her and fulfilled His promise to spare her and her family. “So Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute and her relatives who were with her in the house because she had hidden the spies Joshua sent to Jericho. And she lives among the Israelites to this day” (Joshua 6:25).

Despite her past, Rahab embraced faith, received forgiveness, and took bold actions that led to a transformed life. After Jericho’s fall, Rahab joined the Israelites and married Salmon. Together, they had a son named Boaz.

Boaz grew up witnessing his mother’s transformation and faith. He was raised by a woman who had once been an outsider, yet fully embraced by the people of God. Perhaps this shaped his own willingness to welcome and redeem Ruth, a foreign widow with little to offer. When Ruth came to glean in his fields, Boaz recognized her faithfulness and spoke a blessing over her. “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done” (Ruth 2:12).

Boaz not only showed her kindness but also fulfilled his role as a kinsman-redeemer, mirroring the redemptive work of God Himself. Rahab’s legacy didn’t end with Boaz. Through him, she became part of the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.

“So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife...They named (their son) Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David” (Ruth 4:13-17).

Rahab’s journey from a tainted past to a legacy of faith undoubtedly shaped Boaz’s character—his generosity, adherence to the law, and kindness. Rahab’s story reminds us that God weaves redemption not just in individual lives but in generations to come.

Your past does not determine your destiny. Through faith and repentance, like Rahab, you can build a legacy that reflects God’s transformative power. No matter where you’ve been, God’s grace offers a new path forward.

Let’s Reflect:

1. How does Rahab’s story challenge the notion that one’s past defines their future?
2. In what ways can your experiences, even the ones you regret, be used to positively influence your children or those around you?
3. How can understanding God’s redemptive power in Rahab’s life encourage you in your personal journey?