By Van Yandell
Matthew 1:5 “Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David.”
Several years ago in a Bible study class we were discussing the role of a divorced person in the church. The Bible clearly states Jesus’ opinion of divorce (Matthew 5:31-32) but He also taught forgiveness of sin (if divorce is a sin). Not to initiate a discussion of divorce, the right or wrong dilemma is not mine to determine. The variances of circumstances are too numerous.
After a lengthy discussion of the pros and cons, a divorced man in the class made the statement, “God forgives but people do not!” Being the teacher of the class I responded, “Only God’s opinion matters.”
The story of Rahab in Joshua chapter two gives us a clear example of how God uses all believers to accomplish His will and His plan.
Rahab was referred to as a “harlot” (Joshua 2:1). With the confusion and misinterpretations we often experience in language translation, she may or may not have been a Canaanite prostitute. Most Bible scholars and commentaries agree she was a prostitute. I would not confirm that as anything but speculation.
Another point to be made here concerns cultures. When I first began mission assignments in East Africa, the story of the early missionaries teaching monogamy was used to support the fundamental of the Gospel teaching and left their culture out of the equation.
Tribal leaders had numerous wives and when led to Christianity were taught the “one wife” implication of the scriptures. Consequently, the extra wives were cast aside and many could only sell themselves in order survive. Rahab was possibly in a similar situation.
Assuming she may have been a prostitute, God does not set parameters upon whom He may call into service. Some of the most unlikely characters have been summoned to fulfill a purpose of God.
Examples of those personalities with life variances are found in the Bible. Saul in the Old Testament and Saul/Paul in the New Testament are among many.
The story of Rahab begins in Joshua chapter two. Joshua sent two spies into Jericho to determine the defensive strength of the city. They went to the house of Rahab and the king of Jericho heard of this.
The king sent to her and asked “Where are the Hebrew spies?” She said, “They have left before the gates to the city were closed and are gone.” She further instructed the king’s men to follow the spies. In the meantime, Rahab hid the spies Joshua sent on the roof and covered them with stalks of flax.
Rahab then asked of those being sought, “We have heard of the power of your God and because I have protected you, promise me to spare my family.” They so promised.
The spies further instructed her to tie a scarlet cord in her window so the attacking Hebrews would know the ones that helped them.
Her house was on the city wall and she then let them down through a window. God surely thinks ahead as this is a testimony to that very fact. She also told them to hide in the hills for three days giving their pursuers time to return to Jericho.
Among the information obtained by the spies was that the inhabitants of Jericho “melted” in fear of them. This is a statement to the psychological effects of fear and also of positive thinking which they did not have but the Hebrews did. Knowing one has the armor of God gives an advantage few realize or utilize.
Rahab is mentioned in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:31 James 2:25). Indications are in James 2:24-26, she was saved by not only her faith but also by her actions. Many denominations firmly believe we are saved by faith alone based on Ephesians 2:8.
James 2:24-26 “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Can these verses written by the brother of Jesus indicate the presence of works in the Christian life is essential for salvation?
This is a difficult if not impossible question to answer and cannot be resolved by speculation. John 3:16 clearly states, belief is the essential component for salvation. Belief can only be by faith because we were not in Jerusalem 2000 years ago to see Jesus crucified or walk out of the tomb resurrected and alive.
If we can be saved by works, then is belief not necessary? We may interpret the words of James as meaning our works are a demonstration of faith or that, if we have faith, we will do the works as commanded by the Lord Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20).
If we assume the word “harlot” actually meant prostitute, can we apply the principles and concepts of Joshua chapters two and three in our lives today? Of course we can!
Recently I saw a quote, “Don’t be a judge of someone because their sin is different from yours.” We know our sins are different and all sin is against God. Sin is in our lives, being a scriptural certainty (Romans 3:23) and cannot be classified in the spiritual realm.
We have encountered many in mission work that have made statements such as “I’m not good enough to ask God to save my soul.” The typical and truthful answer is, “Of course you’re not. I’m not, no one is.”
John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” This verse gave Charlotte Elliot the inspiration to write the Christian hymn, “Just As I Am”
“Just as I am, without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come!” When she wrote those words in 1835 she realized God Jesus was available for her regardless of her condition.
Elliot was an invalid and incapable of doing the work for her Jesus as she felt necessary for salvation. John 6:37 convinced her that Jesus would receive her regardless of her condition just as He will receive anyone based on their faith based belief in Him.
At the time of Rahab’s actions in protecting the Hebrew spies in Jericho she had no knowledge of the New Testament verses. Since those verses would not be written for fifteen-hundred years, her actions were done through her own faith.
We must always teach that eternal salvation is attained by a faith based belief (Ephesians 2:8) in Christ Jesus crucified (Matthew 27:35) for the remission of sin (1 John 1:9) and resurrected (Matthew 28:6).
We are all a Rahab in our own way. Praise God, He does not draw conditions on our eternal destination other than our belief in Him.
Van Yandell is a retired Industrial Arts teacher, an ordained gospel evangelist and commissioned missionary.
