They Walked With God: Rahab

Rahab walked with God. But it wasn’t always so. In the Old Testament she is called a woman of prostitution. There’s no way to clean up the story that begins in the 2nd chapter of Joshua. Early in the chapter, we’re introduced to a woman named Rahab. Rahab was a harlot. That’s an ugly word. It’s an ugly word for an ugly profession. She was a woman who traded sexual favors for profit. And yet, we find her name in the roll call of the faithful in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. How does Rahab go from Harlot to Heroine?

I imagine her inn was well known in Jericho. It was surely frequented by caravan traders who had spent long, lonely stretches of travel through the desert places. At Rahab’s inn they could slack their thirst and other passions.

But what Rahab was does not matter nearly as much as what Rahab became. She became part of the covenant people of God because she put her faith in the grace of God. Was there ever a more unlikely candidate for mercy and grace then a pagan prostitute?

The Bible deals honestly with the lives and character of those whom God saves. From man’s perspective, some are incredibly good while others are incredibly wicked. The common denominator is that they all came to God through His redemptive grace. What we discover when we examine the lives of many of those saints is the truth most eloquently stated by the Apostle Peter after he witnessed the conversion of Cornelius. After seeing the Spirit of God come with converting power into Cornelius’ life and many of his family members, Peter exclaims: “. . . Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:" KJV (Acts 10:34). Translation? “Holy Moses, God will save anyone, won’t He?”

Many of the great saints of both Old and New Testaments had similarly unsavory pasts as Rahab, but God touched their lives and they became a new creation in Christ.

I suppose that the author of Hebrews could have been politically correct for his day and glossed over Rahab ... and nobody would have thought a thing about it. But by including her story, the Apostle helps us to see what the pattern of faith look like. Every believer’s salvation experience is unique. But no matter who you are, there is a pattern to your faith that is consistent with all other believers. That pattern consists of conviction, confession, and conduct.

I. RAHAB’S CONVICTION

1. something happened that had a deep and lasting effect upon Rahab’s life

a. to go from a life of harlotry to a life of holiness is a pretty dramatic experience

2. for such an effect, there has to be a cause

a. the text reveals two ...

A. THE REPUTATION OF GOD’S POWER ON BEHALF OF HIS PEOPLE WROUGHT CONVICTION

1. as the story in Joshua unfolds, it becomes apparent that Rahab had been thinking about the God of Israel

a. she had heard stories about the Lord of the Hebrews and what He had done for them

b. when she discovers the Hebrew spies have entered her establishment, she is more interested in finding out more about their God then in ratting them out to the authorities

2. Rahab rehearses two events that took place years before – one of them 40 years earlier

“Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:8–11, NIV84)

2. Rahab had heard the startling stories of how Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, had protected them through mighty miracles and how He had fought for them

a. we are not told what the spies may have said to her by way of filling in the gaps, but it’s obvious that Rahab begins to understand more about the true God

b. she compared their God to her gods and discovered that they were impotent in making any real difference in her life

c. deep down, Rahab begins to realize that her gods were false and empty shadows

3. the God of Israel put a fear in her heart that forced her to carefully examine her beliefs

a. listen to the words of Jesus ...

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12:4–5, NIV84)

b. the lost man who has no fear of what God can do to him, who gives no thought to his eternal destiny is a man who is doomed

ILLUS. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “He who provides for this life, but takes no care for eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever.”

4. but the man who fears the Lord, is a man who can be brought under conviction and won to Jesus Christ

a. Rahab was such a person

b. the Lord was convicting her that there was but one God

B. THE REFLECTION OF GOD IN THE LIFE OF HIS PEOPLE WROUGHT CONVICTION

1. that these two spies were strangers to Jericho was obvious to Rahab

a. they certainly were not regulars who frequented Rahab’s inn

1) that may not have been unusual

b. Jericho was positioned on a major trade route of the era and there were always strangers in the city

1) but at this time, the city was being careful

c. there were rumors abroad that a great host of armed people were nearing the Jordan River from the desert side and might try to cross near the city

1) it was flood season — the Jordan River would have been high and flowing fast — and so no one was immediately alarmed

2) but just to be sure, word had gone out from the king that the citizens of Jericho were to be on the look out for strangers

2. the Hebrew spies, in searching for a place to spend the night, came to Rahab’s inn

a. they appeared to be no different than any of the other caravan traders who made their way to her place

ILLUS. The picture this text paints reminds me of the bar scene in the original Star Wars movie. Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are searching for a spaceship to transport them off the planet, and to do so discreetly. They enter the Mos Eisley Contina which is full of riffraff from across the galaxy, all minding their own businss. Kenobi tells Luke, “You’ll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.”

1) that’s Rahab’s place!

3. but these men were different

a. all the wanted was a room!

b. Rahab saw two men of God living a life of faith, courage, and righteousness, and it brought a sense of conviction to her heart

ILLUS. In his book The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul observed that the holiness of God reflected in a believer's life often makes the non-Christian uncomfortable. Sproul then tells the following true incident to illustrate his point. A well-known professional golfer was playing in a tournament with President Gerald Ford, fellow pro Jack Nicklaus, and Billy Graham. After the round was over, one of the other pros on the tour asked, "Hey, what was it like playing with the President and Billy Graham?" The pro unleashed a torrent of cursing, and said with disgust, "I don't need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat!" With that he headed for the practice tee. His friend followed, and after the golfer had pounded out his fury on a bucket of golf balls, he asked, "Was Billy a little rough on you out there?" The pro sighed and said with embarrassment, "No, he didn't even mention religion." Sproul concluded, "Astonishingly, Billy Graham had said nothing about God, Jesus, or religion, yet the pro stomped away after the game accusing Billy of trying to ram religion down his throat." What had happened? Simply this: The evangelist’s life so reflected Christlikeness that his presence made the pro feel uncomfortable.

4. conviction is the first stitch in the pattern of God’s tapestry of redemption

a. a sinner cannot be converted to God, unless they are first convicted about God

b. conviction is two-pronged

1) first, there must be a conviction of sin that leads to a shame and disgust over sin, and regret over the life one is living

2) second, there must be a conviction about the holiness of God’s character

II. RAHAB’S CONFESSION

1. that Rahab found herself under the conviction of the Holy Spirit was not enough

a. how many men have come under the convicting influence of the Spirit of God and gone their own way, never surrendering to Him in repentance and faith?

2. hearing about God is good, but hearing alone does not make a person a Christian

a. being in the company of those who believe in God is admirable, but it does not make you a part of the household of God

A. RAHAB’S CONVERSION CAME WHEN SHE CONFESSED THE LORD

“When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 12 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD ... , because I have shown kindness to you. ... ” (Joshua 2:11–12, NIV84)

1. notice that Rahab does not say, “Now then, please swear to me by your Lord.” but rather “the Lord”

a. it may seem like such an insignificant detail, but no detail in the Scriptures should be ignored

b. it’s an amazing statement of faith for a woman who had never tasted Manna, had never seen the glory cloud or who had never read the Law

c. and yet, this woman has come to understand the glory, and sovereignty of God

2. Rahab probably did not know much about the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but what she had heard and what she had seen in the character of His people made her willing to confess that indeed Jehovah was the Lord

B. REHAB’S CONFESSION WAS ATTESTED TO BY A FAITH COVENANT WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD

• “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death.”” (Joshua 2:12–13, NIV84)

• “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.” (Joshua 2:21, NIV84)

1. confession is the second stitch in the pattern of God’s tapestry of redemption

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9–10, NIV84)

2. the symbol of Rahab’s confession was the scarlet lifeline

a. not only was it the means by which the Hebrew spies would escape from Jericho

b. but it was also the symbol that would save Rahab and her family

1) a scarlet cord would save a scarlet woman

3. when she tied that scarlet cord in her window, it was an act of faith and a symbol of her covenant relationship with God and His people

a. through that act she confessed her confidence in the one true God

b. when she dropped that line through her window, she was saying in effect, “I claim a covenant of faith with God and a covenant of spiritual kinship with the people of God.”

4. as the blood on the door posts of their homes protected the Israelites from the death angel in Egypt, so the scarlet cord would protect Rahab

a. Rahab teaches us that no one is ever beyond the grace of God

5. the sinner’s scarlet lifeline is the blood of Jesus Christ

“ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7, NIV84)

III. RAHAB’S CONDUCT

1. Rahab had spent much of her life in sordid degeneracy

2. but a new life was now eagerly anticipated

a. Rahab reminds us “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Rom. 5:20)

b. conduct is the third stitch in the pattern of God’s tapestry of redemption

1) our conduct does not save us, but it authenticates one’s faith

A. RAHAB’S NEW-FOUND FAITH SPARKED HER TO ACTION

1. how do we know that she believed in the Lord?

a. there are two proofs

2. 1st. and most obvious, she was willing to risk her life to save two men that she did not know, all because of the God whom they professed

3. 2nd, we learn that her chief concern now became her family

a. I imagine that Rahab’s lifestyle did not endear her to her family

1) she probably wasn’t invited to many family reunions or events

4. but now her life was changed – she had met the living God – the Creator of the universe

a. her concern is no longer for herself and the profit she can make from selling her body

b. now, her concern centers on others and what she can do for them

5. authentic conversion leads to Godly conduct

a. true salvation, will lead the believer to living for the Lord

6. the story ends with Rahab and her whole family being spared when Jericho is attacked and destroyed

“But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day.” (Joshua 6:25, NASB)

IV. LESSONS FROM HEBREWS 11:30-31

A. GOD SAVES PEOPLE WE THINK COULD NEVER BECOME HIS SERVANTS

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:27–29, NKJV)

1. Rahab was an unlikely candidate for the faithfull’s hall of fame

a. she was a prostitute, she was a Gentile, and she was a Canaanite

1) talk about your three-strikes rule!

2. she was, in fact, an Amorite, a race that God had long before marked for destruction (Gen. 15:16 )

a. yet that is how God’s grace works

b. His mercy is open to all who will receive it, and His grace has always been wider than we think

3. Rahab’s conversion remains the biblical pattern for conversion ... conviction, confession, and conduct

B. FAITH GETS THE ATTENTION OF GOD

“By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient” (Hebrews 11:31)

1. Rahab confessed her faith in God before anything was done for her

2. she couldn’t know for certain that her family would be spared, but she had faith

3. it is impossible for anyone to please God without faith in Him

C. IT TAKES COURAGE TO OVERCOME YOUR PAST

1. the Bible doesn’t hide the failings of people and Rahab’s reputation was tainted by her sinful past

a. she had to put her past behind her in order to move forward in God’s plan for her life

Con. For her faithful courage Rahab not only was spared but was honored. She became the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth, the great-great-grandmother of David, and she thereby came to be an ancestor of Jesus (Matt. 1:5)

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