From Harlot to Heroine

Rahab’s gift of faith transformed her from a harlot to a heroine.

Stone Walls

Jericho was an ancient city surrounded by stone walls. Housing and businesses were built into the walls. Rahab lived in one of these more prominent establishments. She was called a harlot (a prostitute) in the Scriptures, but she was so much more.

She had multiple entrepreneurial pursuits. By my reading of the passages about her in the book of Joshua, she had an inn, most likely with a dining room, and a flax processing plant up on the roof. Flax was used for making rugs, furniture, and even clothing. Her place was close to the gates of the city. In other words, a prime location.

The culture of the pagan city was so evil, that God Himself destroyed the city, by breaking down the walls. Rahab, presumably, grew up in that culture. Base and often violent, prostitution is not at all glamorous or exciting. As a prostitute in Jericho, she was not outcast or shamed, as people often are today. She may have been a venerated member of society. Some think she may have been a pagan priestess. If she was, it certainly doesn’t appear that was what she wanted.

Rahab was closed in by the great stone walls of the city. How often are we locked into a way of life by the metaphorical stone walls in our lives? We may have erected them or they may have been imposed on us.  Her story resinates so much with me. We have no way of knowing how she came to be in those circumstances, but we do know that as soon as she saw an opportunity to get out, she took it by faith.

An Opening

Joshua, who led the army of Israel, sent two spies to the city. The men lodged at Rahab’s place. They gathered information, most importantly, that the people of the city were terrified of the God of Israel. The’d heard the stories of miraculously defeated armies and awesome demonstrations power. When the king of the city sent men to find the spies, Rahab hid them. She told the king’s men that the spies had gone through the gate just before it closed for the night.

She saved their lives. Then, she made them swear to save hers. Not only hers, but her whole family. They agreed, but with some imperatives. The only people who could be guaranteed safety would have to be within her house, which would be marked by a scarlet cord hung from the window. The sign would likely have been a common sight and not even noticed by the inhabitants of the city. The signature mark for a house of prostitution was often a red drape over the doorway. Conversely, a red cord is also a symbol of the shed blood of our Savior.

Rahab had faith in the men of God. She believed Jehovah and told the spies that she knew their Lord is God above and below. She saw an opening to leave the life she had and find a new life and she took it. Rahab married Salmon, one of the spies, and gave birth to Boaz. Her new life, literally, made a way for us to have new life. Boaz married Ruth.

Welcomed

These two women were outcasts, but welcomed into the chosen family of God. Ruth was no harlot, but she was from a despised nation. They are two of the five women noted in the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rahab’s faith transformed her life and gave us a valuable example. She proclaimed her faith while still in her situation. She gave the spies instructions to keep them safe from the king of Jericho. In doing so, she risked her life. It was treason to save the spies. She stayed in her home, trusting that upon their return, she and her household would be kept safe. The usual result of treason is death. A conquering army killed all traitors. So, her faith was no small thing.

Rahab raised Boaz and so, was also Ruth’s mother-in-law. Boaz was wealthy, generous and kind. He was a good man, by any standard we might use. Rahab’s influence produced a hard working, honorable man.

Established

Rahab holds a place in the Hall of Faith from the book of Hebrews, chapter 11. By faith, she welcomed the spies and was not killed by those who were disobedient.

Her virtue is buffered by vice. Even though she is established as an integral member of the lineage of the Savior, she is named a prostituted woman. That speaks volumes to me. Saint Paul tells us to beware, in case we think we stand (above other people) lest we fall (out of favor) in first Corinthians 10:12.

I have been out of the life of prostitution for 34 years. I gave my life to God right away. Even though I was a disaster, everything I did was part of the new life. When I looked back, I really see change in everything. I still look back and see more peace, an increase in grace, and a sense that we only have this one life. We can only be who we are in our quest for a better future. There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ. Romans 8

Freedom

We don’t know how Rahab came to be a prostituted woman. There is no indication that she was forced or defrauded. But there is a strong sense that she was in bondage. She literally risked her life to get out. From all that we know about her, she became a mighty woman of God. Her strong entrepreneurial spirit and her work ethic are admirable.

It was her story that inspired me to create a course for pregnancy centers. In Responding to Human Trafficking for Pregnancy Resource Centers, I teach staff and volunteers how to provide an opening for prostituted women and women who are trafficked for labor. It was Rahab’s Gift of faith to get free. She had to come in contact with people of faith to acknowledge her faith and obtain her freedom. Most PRCs are run by faith filled people.

When I was faced with the life or death decision, I did not know her story, but I did come in contact with people who knew God. I lied and faked an abortion to get free from my trafficker. I am eternally grateful to Anthy, the social worker, who found Marilyn and Friends of the Unborn. They opened the way for me.

Rahab’s name is a double edged sword. It means “wide as a road.” So, as a prostituted woman, the meaning is derogatory, but as a forbearer to freedom for others, it is a blessing.

There is so much more I could say about Rahab. What do you think? What other aspects of her life that fascinate you?