Rahab’s Transformation

“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

In our series on the genealogy of Jesus this week, we skip ahead about 400 years.  We jump from before the people of Israel live in Egypt (Tamar & Judah), to after the exodus from slavery in Egypt and 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, to the time that the people enter into the promised land.  Moses had seen the promised land but died before the people entered it.  Joshua was now leading the people of Israel and so he sent a couple of spies across the Jordan River to scout out the fortified city of Jericho.  The spies found safety in the home of Rahab, a prostitute.  She protected them in exchange for protecting her family.  She moved from a position of fear, to a position of worship.  Rahab experienced a powerful transformation.

“I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us… We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt.” (Joshua 2:9-10)  These are the words of Rahab, spoken to the Israelite spies.  Rahab was a Canaanite (enemy of Israel), and a prostitute in the city of Jericho.  Yet she was a woman who understood that a powerful, unstoppable God was moving her way, and she took a daring risk to choose to be on God’s side.  She is only one of 5 women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy.  Because of her courage in protecting the Israelite spies, her family was protected and joined the Israelite peoples.  They were embraced into the community and she went on to become a great-grandmother to King David and eventually an ancestor of Jesus.

Rahab could see God moving and working in the world and wanted to join in God’s work.  In worship on Sunday, I shared a few ways we can see God moving and working in our lives and in the world.  Here is a list of how to hunt for God:

1. Concrete answers to specific prayers

2. Leadings or promptings from God

3. Unexpected resources

4. Surprising outcomes

5. God-ordained “demotions”

Each of these can help us see that God is with us, leading and shaping us each and every day.  May we have eyes to see God at work, and courageous hearts to join.

This week consider the question: Where have I seen God’s transformation in my life?

You, Lord, have been our dwelling place in all generations. You free us, you provide for us, you have even given yourself to us. Yet so often we forget that this is your story, and try to take the lead. We confess that we have turned from your way and gone our own ways. We have served other gods. We have loved you with our words but not with our actions. Forgive us, and turn us yet again to your path. Give us courage to follow you, and to proclaim in our lives that we worship and serve only you.  Amen.