By Faith, Rahab the Harlot Lied, Deceived, and Betrayed Her Countrymen

by Tim Winkley

Hebrews 11:31

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

By faith, the whore lied, deceived and betrayed her countrymen.

A harlot had more discernment than an entire walled city in its glory and its pomp.  Frankly, this harlot has more discernment than many today who read her story.  The beauty of the Scriptures, when they are not twisted and manipulated, as in the case of Rahab, take the desperate and downtrodden, and lift them to glory.  In fact, if you follow the matriarchal line of our Messiah backwards, we will find that He is a descendant of Rahab (according to the flesh).

“Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?” James 2:25

Recently, we observed that G-d is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11).  These Israelites, are used by G-d to bring this city down (Jericho).  Rahab, was used by G-d to protect G-d’s people.  Neither of these had any place to boast within themselves.  They, us, have one thing in common – the need for desperation.  We have cried out in desperation and found ourselves in the hands of a mighty and benevolent G-d who wrought His resurrection victory in and through our dying downward.

Here’s an example of the LORD leading His people into battle, into the victory:

Deuteronomy 9:1,3-7

1 Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven.

3 Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee. 

4 Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. 5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 6 Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.

7 Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.

Scripturally, we find that the LORD goes before His people to destroy their enemies.  Rahab was as much one of G-d’s people as any of the folks outside of that wall.  Remember, prior to the beginning of the march around the city, Joshua observed a man, a Captain of the Host.  How do we explain this appearance Scripturally?  If we are diligent, honest students, utilizing biblical hermeneutics, we find that the only explanation is found in the above verse.  The Captain of the Host appears to lead His people, as promised, into battle.  Indeed, to prevail in battle.

“And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? 15 And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.” Joshua 5:14-15

There is so much to learn from the story of this harlot.  I am sure she had some prayers of her own.  We could spend weeks on the lessons in this one short verse (Hebrews 11:31).  Let’s summarize.

The people of G-d outside of the walls, began the journey, desperately crying out for deliverance from the monster they created in their disobedience. The harlot inside the wall, began her journey desperately crying out. We are all the same.  We are subjects of the benevolent King.  Our place is prostrate before Him.  Let us lower ourselves (Hebrew definition of worship) humbly before Him and look to our glorious Deliverer. Allelujah! \o/

Thoughts on Hebrews 11:31 by Xiu Yun below.

Rahab’s actions as a result of her faith not only saved the lives of the two spies, but also contributed to the capture of the city of Jericho by the Israelites, and the two spies were greatly encouraged by the information she learned.

Her action, her confidence, also encouraged the two spies; After the two spies reported to Joshua, they encouraged the confidence of the whole people of Israel to cross the river and march to Jericho.

A Gentile woman, a humble but firm, brave and resourceful woman, her act of faith, reminds us today: God does not discriminate between people because of their status, or wealth, and God does not care whether Christians are of noble birth. Even Rahab the prostitute, because she had a heart that trusted and gave to the Lord. Therefore, because of her trust in God, the prostitute Rahab was chosen by God, became a person greatly blessed by God, rewrote her life, and finally became a qualified daughter of God.

“Loving God, we praise and thank You and pray that You continue to increase our faith. You know that we are weak, but if we keep our eyes on You, we can be strong. Have mercy on our weakness and hear our prayer.”

“Dear Lord, none of us are perfect. We are born with sin, but You never despise us, whether we are of noble birth or not.”

“Dear Lord, we were born sinful, but You never abandoned us, and every weekend at church, brothers and sisters from all walks of life gather in your temple to worship You. The old, the weak, the sick, the poor and the rich, Christians from all walks of life gather before you, we have no distinction between high and low, we are only equal before God – You.”

“Dear Lord, do not remember our SINS, but grant us peace and joy, so that we may follow you with confidence and hear You, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ the Conqueror, Amen.”

More from Tim Winkley | Support | STORE | Podcasts | Christology | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Modern Church | Peace with God

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