Rahab

I love Rahab. At this time in history, women were meaningless. Their only role was to bear children – and outside of that they were nothing. But here, a women – a prostitute none the less – is used to facilitate the fall of Jericho. In this story we witness the Israelites staking out the territory – finding refuge at Rahab’s house. Upon lying to the soldiers, she guides them to a safe route. Because of this, Rahab and her family are saved. So what sets Rahab apart? God clearly stated time and time again that the Israelites are to leave no survivors, but Rahab and her relatives are saved. I cannot help but wonder why. In Joshua 2:9-13 Rahab expresses fear of God. She knew the power of God – she heard the stories of deliverance – and she would rather betray her people than not choose to fear the God of the Israelites. Up until this point, the Israelites are the only ones to express a fear of God. Although she lied and made money through prostitution, she knew the power of their God. Even though she was not an Israelite, her faith saved her. Later, in Matthew 1:5 Rahab is mentioned in the lineage of Jesus as the mother of Boaz. Not only is Boaz part of the lineage of Jesus, but he was related to Ruth. This prostitute, a woman with no rights, not only saved the Israelites but gave birth to Boaz who was part of the link in Jesus heritage. All of this occurred because she feared God. Rahab did not do anything special to become this important women, all she did was have faith.
Do you fear God so much that you would take the stand Rahab did?
God seems to always use those no one else notices. A prostitute – murderers – adulterers and so forth, what does this mean for us?
Without the one stand made by Rahab, the entire Israelite history and lineage of Jesus would be different. Have you ever been called to make that type of decision? What was the outcome?