Rahab; Ms. Courageous meet Prince CharmingWhen you think of Rahab what are your first thoughts and feelings? I hope after today you grow to love her as much as I do. The Lord talks about her a lot through at least 3 different people who lived at different times. Apparently her story is one that all generations need to hear. Perhaps it's because Rahab's story is our story. The Lord tells her incredible story in Joshua 2. Take a minute to read it. Rahab was a prostitute. A prostitute that cared about her family deeply. Most likely that is the reason she is a prostitute. In a post Responding to Injustice, Aligning with God's heart I wrote in March, my Background Commentary on Judges said "In the ancient world, women often resorted to prostitution if they had no other means of economic support, especially if they were widows or orphans." It's either that or their family starves. Does knowing this change your attitude toward Rahab? When you read her story, did you notice her multiple acts of crazy courage? Here's 4 of them: 1.The spies end up at her place. How cool is that! The providence of God, leads the two guys straight to the only believer in town. Rahab talks to these men about the Lord and takes initiative to invite them to stay at her place at the risk of her families support. 2. She is questioned about the men by orders of the king, with her life on the line. If the king found out, she would be killed. But she protected, defended and stood by the strangers who she had no reason to trust except that their God was the Lord. What an example of standing with our brothers and sisters in Christ when they need it. Even to her/our own hurt. Wow! Reminds me of the Chickfila controversy. 3. She tells her family about the coming judgement and promise of salvation. Sharing the gospel with your unbelieving family members can be the hardest group of people to share with. But she boldly, unashamedly shares with them. 4. Lets the men down by a rope. This may seem crazy but I would be so scared of dropping them on their heads. After all their safety meant her salvation. All this courage in such a short amount of time. I like her a lot. This beautiful baby Christian seems so fearless. Life dealt her a hard blow but she didn't let that poison her heart and turn into into bitter stone. She clings to the Lord, takes Him at His Word, and walks by faith. And now maybe you're wondering where prince charming fits in. Well, one of these two spies (who apparently aren't very good spies since the King knew they were there on the first day) was Salmon, Prince of Judah. This is the man who Rahab ends up marrying. How cool is that! From prostitute to princess and ultimately the great, great, great so on, grandma of Jesus. This is the kind of transformational business God is up to in peoples lives! Ok, so back to chapter 2. Don't you just wonder what Rahab and Salmon's first meeting was like. Was there attraction? Respect? And for the three days when Salmon and his buddy stayed in the hills, I wonder if it was within eye distance of the red rope. I wonder if he thought about her and her him. Then in Chapter 6, he swoops in and rescues her and her family (all that's missing is a white horse). I said earlier that Rahab's story is our story. We, mankind, are in desperate need of rescue. All the good we do will never outweigh the bad. Only One can rescue us, Prince Jesus who gave his life that we might be rescued from the life that was killing us. But like Rahab had a choice, so do we. We have to choose for ourselves if we are going to believe what the Bible says about God and receive forgiveness and the new life He offers us. And One day soon He will come back on his white horse and make this world right. If you were in Rahab's shoes, what would be the scariest thing for you to do? Rahab is part of the seriesHere's the beginning of the series: Potiphar's Wife; Life Unrestrained Woman at the Well; Experiencing God's Grace On Wednesday, when I invited you to follow along this series, I asked you to bring some people with you by sharing this link and talking about it with them. Each Friday I will post a few discussion questions for you guys talk about with each other. Here's the first week's questions. Discussion Questions1. Which lady so far do you most relate to and why?
2. What struck you in each of their stories? And why do you think the Lord highlighted that particular thing for you right now? 3. What would it look like to practically respond with action oriented faith to the things He made stand out to you?
25 Comments
Laura
7/30/2012 08:44:21 am
Oh I'm so glad you do too. I just wonder what she was like... I imagine really sweet for some reason.
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7/26/2012 03:04:55 pm
I recently read an ebook about Rahab and mentioned her in my blog because of it. Hers is an amazing story and you put a wonderful spin on it! Prince Jesus! Patsy from <br /><a href="http://patsypat.blogspot.com"
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7/26/2012 03:04:55 pm
I recently read an ebook about Rahab and mentioned her in my blog because of it. Hers is an amazing story and you put a wonderful spin on it! Prince Jesus! Patsy from <br /><a href="http://patsypat.blogspot.com"
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Oh, my! I'm in love again - lol! (Hopeless romantic!). But seriously, I could hardly think of Rahab as a harlot although the Bible tells so. Like you, I've always liked her; and I've always "felt" like there's a romantic touch to that episode about the spies. She's decent, courageous, and loving.
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Laura
7/30/2012 08:45:49 am
lol!
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7/26/2012 08:28:54 pm
I knew that Rahab was in the line of Jesus, but I didn't realize she married one of the spies. I think that is really romantic. One of my favorite Bible characters, because she highlights God's grace so well. I like this series you are doing.
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Laura
7/30/2012 08:47:10 am
Thanks Elizabeth
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7/27/2012 02:53:57 am
Excellent study of Rahab putting her in a context we can all relate to! Thanks for the great post & linkup, & God bless,
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Laura
7/30/2012 08:52:02 am
Thanks Laurie!
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7/27/2012 04:15:28 am
Aother great post and some really good thoughts and questions to ponder. Thank you Laura :D
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Laura
7/30/2012 08:52:38 am
Oh Wendy, thank you so much. I really appreciate the encouragement.
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7/27/2012 04:39:33 am
I wrote this on by blog today and after reading your post it made me wonder and smile at how Rahab must have felt this exact same way: "I am beloved. YOU are beloved! The One who knit our hearts together in the very beginning is the same One who we can trust to puzzle the broken pieces back together again, and even more than that, to fit our hearts with their very own set of wings!"
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Laura
7/30/2012 08:53:30 am
Beautiful Sadee.
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7/27/2012 09:13:04 am
Rahab knew where her life could safely be placed and we can follow her example by Trusting in Jesus.
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Laura
7/30/2012 08:54:54 am
So true. She probably had so much in her life show her where her trust couldn't be placed.
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7/27/2012 11:14:19 am
I recently found your site (I'm new-ish around here) and LOVE it. You have such a heart for teaching the truth. Rahab's story is one of my favorites and clearly shows #1 God uses everyone and anyone for His plans and #2) nothing is a coincidence!
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Laura
7/30/2012 08:56:27 am
Great to meet you Jody! Looks like we are around a lot of the same places! :)
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Laura
7/30/2012 08:57:31 am
Me too! I am scared of heights and even more so for my kids... but it's totally irrational. I so often need the reminder to cling to Jesus.
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I totally didn't know that about Prince Charming! What a great ending to the story! I'm enjoying this series!
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Laura
7/30/2012 08:58:27 am
That would be pretty scary! Especially if your family was watching or something.
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7/30/2012 01:37:51 am
Thanks for showcasing Rahab's faith - even in tough times. What's most amazing to me is her faith without having been "brought up in a Christian home". She didn't have specific teaching, but she'd seen enough of God's work to claim Him as her own. Loved reading your post. Blessings! Michelle
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Laura
7/30/2012 09:00:45 am
Goes to show God sure is capable of anything. Such a good reminder I can trust the Lord with my kids even if I'm not the perfect parent.
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