Presented to Riverside Cafe, 14 October 2016
Read James 2:24-25
Today when we hear the name Rahab, we often
think of this lady whom the LORD used to save the spies and deliver Jericho
into the Hebrews’ hands. Did you know the name ‘Rahab’ translated from Hebrew means
‘broad’ or ‘fat’ and in common usage it refers to ‘fierceness’, ‘insolence’,
and ‘pride.’ In the Bible, the word ‘Rahab’ is used commonly as an insult for
the country of Egypt. Rahab, the lady in this passage, was a marginalized,
prostituted Canaanite. But Rahab is saved and Rahab is redeemed!
After Rahab’s faith and deeds were used by
God to save the Hebrew spies and deliver Jericho over to the LORD, do you know
how the Lord transformed her life? According to Jewish tradition, she, a lady
who was extremely marginalized, became the ancestor of eight priests (Tal
Megillah 14b). She is listed as one of four women of surpassing beauty
(Tal Megillah 15a). Rahab may mean ‘broad’ but this Rahab is nonetheless a
beauty. She is – to quote Reba – she is not a back of the store lady; she is a
front of the store lady! Like we all can be front of the store people! The
Bible tells us Rahab married Salmon, one of the princes of Judah (Ruth 4:21, 1
Chr 2:11, Mt 1:5).
We remember the wealthy landowner, Boaz,
who married the Mobitess Ruth; Boaz was Rahab the Canaanite’s son. Ruth was
Rahab’s daughter-in-law. Ruth and Boaz had a child, Obed, who was Rahab’s
grandson. His son, Rahab’s great grandson was Jesse and his son, Rahab’s great
great grandson was King David from whose line God promised Salvation and
Dominion for ever! (Mt 1:5-6; cf. 2 Sam 7). This salvation was of course
accomplished through another descendant of Rahab the redeemed Canaanite – that
is Jesus, the Redeemer himself! (cf. Mt 1:16).
God chose to do this through, to send His
only begotten son through the ancestral line of the redeemed life of Rahab. Scholar
Richard Hess tells us, “the story of Rahab confirms God’s welcome to all
people, whatever their condition. Christ died for all the world and the
opportunity is available for all to come to him through faith, even the chief
of sinners [like you and like me] (1 Tim 1:15)...Rahab exhibits faith and
understanding of the God who saves her. She becomes part of the family line
that leads to the birth of Jesus (Mt 1:5) and [she is] a model of faith for all
Christians” (Hb 11:31).
Rahab, who was once a prostituted Canaanite
on the margins of society stands redeemed, saved, holy, cleansed, and as one of
the heroes of the faith. You and I here today, no matter what we done, no
matter who we have been, no matter what has happened to us, we too can be saved, we too can be redeemed. Jesus died
on the cross so that we could die to our sins and He rose from the grave so
that we could live out a holy, redeemed life (cf. Romans 10:9-13)!
As such, it is my prayer that today each of
us would - like righteous Rahab - take God up on His offer of His Salvation and
of His Redemption.
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