The Gospel in the Old TestamentНамуна

As the Israelites prepared to conquer Jericho, Joshua sent two spies into the land first. The spies attracted some attention, and their lives were in danger.

A prostitute named Rahab chose to protect them and help them sneak back to their own land. Interestingly enough, she said she had heard rumors about battles the Israelites had already won, and she decided that she wanted to follow the God who provided those victories. In exchange for her kindness, she asked that she and her family be saved when Israel conquered Jericho. The spies agreed to spare their lives if she would tie a scarlet cord to her window so the soldiers would know which house to protect. She did this, and her family was saved.

We do not know much about Rahab after this, but we do know that she married an Israelite man named Salmon and had a son who grew to be a Godly man named Boaz (mentioned in the book of Ruth). Rahab became the great, great grandmother of King David, and she is a part of the lineage of Jesus, mentioned in Matthew 1.

While we know very little about Rahab’s past, we know that she was a prostitute. She was caught in a life of sin, whether by her choosing or not. And she probably had no hope of escaping that life. In the same way, we too are trapped by our sin, with no hope of forgiveness. Rahab chose to trust in the Lord by protecting the spies. Had she been caught, she almost certainly would have been killed for committing treason. In the same way, we can choose to trust our lives and our eternities to God through Jesus Christ.

Rahab and her family received protection because of the scarlet cord that she tied to her window. The scarlet cord represents the Blood of Jesus that would be shed for us. If we have trusted in the Lord for Salvation, we are covered by the Blood of Jesus. It does not matter what kind of mistakes you have in your past. The Blood of Jesus is sufficient to cover every stain of sin.

Rahab came to the Lord and found that He was willing to bring her a whole New Life, one that was founded on Him. Have you experienced this New Life in Jesus? If not, you can do so today by trusting in Him for Salvation. If you have already done so, are you living out this New Life, or have you reverted to the old one? Embrace your New Life in Jesus today!