This week’s study is on Rahab. Like many people in the Bible, she is not a prominent figure, though better known than some. She is also an example of the fact that just because someone is mentioned in the Bible, that doesn’t mean she is someone whose entire life is an example we would want to emulate. Rahab was a prostitute. The book of Joshua is quite specific on the subject. She may have also been the ancient equivalent of a “madam.” The Jewish historian, Josephus, however, said she was simply an innkeeper.
Rahab was not an Israelite. But she is considered a heroine in the Israelite history. She played an important part in the Israelite conquest of Jericho. Though she was not born an Israelite, she married into that nation.
According to Rabbinic tradition, Rahab married Joshua and was the ancestress of at least eight prophets, including Jeremiah. Also according to Rabbinic tradition, Rahab was one of the four most beautiful women in the world.
Rahab was the mother of Boaz who was Ruth's (of the book of Ruth) second husband.
It was in the midst of the Israelite invasion of Canaan. Joshua was heading up the Israelite forces and he sent spies into Jericho. Given Rahab’s reputation for beauty and her profession, it is probably not surprising that the spies went to her house. Her establishment was of the kind that sees many people come and go. It would been a place where they could pick up information, from men who weren't guarding their tongues as carefully as they normally might. Strangers to the community might also blend in more easily there.
Canaan was at that time, not one nation under one king, but, rather, a collection of small city states. Jericho was one of these. The king of Jericho soon heard about two individuals who seemed suspicious. He sent word to Rahab telling her to keep them occupied until he could do something about it.
Instead, Rahab hid the two men up on the roof underneath the sheaves of flax that were there drying. She told the king's men the strangers had already left and they’d better hurry if they wanted to catch them.
Then she went up to talk with the two men. She said that everyone was afraid of them and she was certain that Jericho would be theirs. She’d also heard about their God who seemed to her to be Lord of heaven and earth. She asked whether, if she helped them get away, if they would spare her family when they took Jericho.
The spies agreed, giving her a scarlet cord to hang outside her house so that the Israelite soldiers would know which house to leave alone. They did point out that they couldn’t be responsible for anyone outside her home.
Rahab lived in a house that was built on top of the two city walls, so she smuggled the spies out of the city by lowering them out on ropes.
Every man, woman, and child inside the city was killed, aside from those in the house of Rahab. It is clear then that Rahab saved her family from certain death. Rabbinnic tradition says that she lived a pious life from that time forward.
What values did Rahab have regarding family, country, neighbors, life style, faith?
How would her neighbors and fellow citizens of Jericho have described her values?
How would the Israelites have regarded Rahab’s values?
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