Women of Faith
Surprisingly, Rahab is one of two women named in Hebrews 11 as examples of godly faith. The other is Abraham's wife, Sarah. Few would question Sarah's inclusion. She exemplified, in most respects, what are generally considered Christian values and qualities. But Rahab? Why would the holy, righteous God include the name of a harlot as one of His faithful saints?
God, we must realize, shows His great mercy and power through human weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). Out of Rahab's weakness she was made strong in faith—through the power of God. The record of her deeds provides sufficient scriptural evidence for why God included her in the faith chapter: "By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace" (Hebrews 11:31).
Many people would not risk their lives for family and friends. Yet Rahab risked her life to protect "enemy" spies. Rahab focused on the godly mission of the spies and her realization that they represented the God of Israel. Rahab didn't believe just in the existence of God, she literally believed what He revealed. That is, she believed it was He who was bringing Israel into the Promised Land. Risking her very life, she had no more evidence to go on than the reports from others that somehow, in some way, the God of Israel had given His people great victories over more-powerful foes.
Rahab stated confidently: "I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
"And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath" (Joshua 2:9-11).
Rahab was here living by faith and not by sight, for, though she saw none of these events actually happen, she had faith to believe that Israel's God was more powerful than all others and would take care of her and her family too.
Rahab's faith and conviction gave her the courage to look death in the face—and live. As Proverbs 28:1 tells us, "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion." Courage is born from unwavering faith, as Rahab demonstrated.Is Rahab became a heroine of Faith think of our possibilities!
God, we must realize, shows His great mercy and power through human weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). Out of Rahab's weakness she was made strong in faith—through the power of God. The record of her deeds provides sufficient scriptural evidence for why God included her in the faith chapter: "By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace" (Hebrews 11:31).
Many people would not risk their lives for family and friends. Yet Rahab risked her life to protect "enemy" spies. Rahab focused on the godly mission of the spies and her realization that they represented the God of Israel. Rahab didn't believe just in the existence of God, she literally believed what He revealed. That is, she believed it was He who was bringing Israel into the Promised Land. Risking her very life, she had no more evidence to go on than the reports from others that somehow, in some way, the God of Israel had given His people great victories over more-powerful foes.
Rahab stated confidently: "I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
"And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath" (Joshua 2:9-11).
Rahab was here living by faith and not by sight, for, though she saw none of these events actually happen, she had faith to believe that Israel's God was more powerful than all others and would take care of her and her family too.
Rahab's faith and conviction gave her the courage to look death in the face—and live. As Proverbs 28:1 tells us, "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion." Courage is born from unwavering faith, as Rahab demonstrated.Is Rahab became a heroine of Faith think of our possibilities!
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