Introduction: On this Mother's Day we will look at the story of an unusual woman who went from being a gentile prostitute to one of Jesus's distant relative. Hebrews 11 is the great "faith chapter" and she along with Sarah, is the only named women in the entire chapter. Why is she given this unique honor? It is because in her journey of faith she went from being a prostitute to a future relative of Jesus Christ!!

Let's carefully look at this amazing journey of faith:

1. The Person of Faith – “the harlot Rahab" (Hebrews 11:31)

Note 2 things:

a. The surprise in the person

Life Lesson: The surprise of Rahab being included in the list of faith heroes reminds us that there may many surprises in Heaven of both who is there and who is not.

b. The suitableness of the person (Matthew 1:5)

Matthew 1:5 New King James Version (NKJV)5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,

(1) she was a gentile who married "Salmon" of the tribe of
Judah, and they had a boy named "Boaz", who married
a Gentile named "Ruth," and the two of them had a boy
named "Obed."

(2) "Obed was the father of "Jesse" and grandfather of
"David" the famous king, and all of them were in the
Line of Jesus Christ.

(3) So Rahab, the former prostitute, was an ancestress of
Jesus Christ.!!!!!!

2. The Popularity of Faith

a. She was the only one who in Jericho who believed in the
One true God.

b. She stood alone.

Life Lesson: "It is the easiest thing in the world to believe as everybody else believes, but the difficulty is to believe a thing alone, when no one else thinks as you think; to be the solitary champion of a righteous cause" (Arthur Pink).

Life Lesson: You may have to stand alone in your Christian faith and be subject to much ridicule and scorn, but when the rewards are handed out in Heaven, you will be recognized.

3. The Purifying of Faith

a. Her past life – “The harlot Rahab" (my notes only- the
name "harlot" Clung to her like glue even though she was
cleaned up).

Life Lesson: Sin leaves unfortunately leaves scars, but while the scars remain, the sin can be removed.

b. Her progression of faith – Joshua 2:6 NLT

Joshua 2:6 New Living Translation (NLT)6 (Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.)

(1) she hid the spies under the bundles of flax.

(2) flax was gathered, dried, and later spun into thread to
make cloth.

(3) This is progression in faith that after Rahab heard about
the true God, she repented of her harlot ways and
started a new occupation as either a seller of cloth or a
seamstress!!! (Romans 1:17)
Romans 1:17 New King James Version (NKJV) 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”[a]

(4) working with flax is associated with women of
honorable character: Proverbs 31:13

Proverbs 31:13 New King James Version (NKJV) 13 She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.

4. The Persuasion in Faith – Joshua 2:9

Joshua 2:9 New King James Version (NKJV)9 and said to the men: “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.

a. Faith always promotes certainty

b. It is the devil who fights certainty by promoting unbelief

5. The Proof of Faith

a. the reception of the men- Hebrews 11:31

Hebrews 11:31 New King James Version (NKJV)31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

b. the protection of the men- James 2:25

James 2:25 New King James Version (NKJV)25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

6. The Plea of Faith- Joshua 2:12

Joshua 2:12 New King James Version (NKJV) 12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token,

a. Rahab pleaded for the safety of her relatives

b. Life Lesson: true faith is always concerned about the
salvation of others

7. The Propagation of Faith- Joshua 6:23

Joshua 6:23 New King James Version (NKJV) 23 And the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and all that she had. So they brought out all her relatives and left them outside the camp of Israel.

a. True faith is always points to the person of salvation –
Joshua 2:17-18

Joshua 2:17-18 New King James Version (NKJV)17 So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, 18 unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home.

The scarlet cord represents the Blood of Jesus and is the only means by which we are saved from our sins – Hebrews 9:22 NLT

Hebrews 9:22 New Living Translation (NLT)22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

b. But true faith must continue in the commitment to stay
under the Blood of Jesus and not move away from Christ:
Joshua 2:18-19; John 8:31 NASB; Colossians 1:21-23
NKJV; Hebrews 2:1 NLT

Joshua 2:18-19 New American Standard Bible (NASB)18 [a]unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household. 19 It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him.

John 8:31 New American Standard Bible (NASB)31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

Colossians 1:21-23 New King James Version (NKJV)21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Hebrews 2:1 New Living Translation (NLT) 2 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

8. The Protection of Faith- Hebrews 11:31

Hebrews 11:31 New King James Version (NKJV) 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

a. Rahab did not perish but was saved!!

b. Those who did not believe died in their sins

Life Lesson: The lack of total faith in Jesus, not just believing but obeying, will leave one unprotected in the Day of Judgement.

John 11:25 ..."And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

John 2:23-25

John 2:23-25 New King James Version (NKJV) 23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.


Questions: Do You think you've committed your life to Jesus?

But the real question is "Has Jesus committed Himself to you?" If so, then you will demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and you will obey His written Word.

Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

9. The Peril of Faith

a. Rahab took a great risk for her faith.

b. Matthew Henry wrote "Those only are true believers that
can find in their hearts to venture (a risky or daring
undertaking; dare to do something dangerous or
unpleasant) for God."

c. Applying this to most American or Western church
members cause us to question the faith of many of them
when they seem unwilling to venture out on any type of
mission or evangelism or giving to the building program or
other needs in the church. Most American church going
people do not even tithe on a regular basis. And then we
have the nerve to sing, Oh, how I love Jesus.!!!!

d. Today's church going people do not want to risk giving up
some luxuries in order to participate in the Great
Commission (Matthew 29:19-20).

10. The Prize for Faith

a. Rahab is able to save herself and her family!!!
Acts 16:31

Acts 16:31 New King James Version (NKJV) 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

b. Rahab the former harlot, pagan, and gentile, is taken in and
accepted by the Jewish nation in covenant with the True
God!!!

c. Rahab marries Salmon, a leader and wealthy member of
the tribe of Judah and reputed founder of the town of
Bethlehem. Their son was Boaz, a wealthy businessman
who later married Ruth.

d. The Talmud (ancient Jewish holy books) records that 8
prophets, including Jeremiah and Baruch, were among her
descendants!!!

e. But the greatest fact is in Matthew 1:5 where it clearly
shows Rahab as the ancestress of Jesus Christ.!!!

Matthew 1:5 New King James Version (NKJV) 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,

Conclusion: All of us are born sinners (Romans 3:23). All of us need a Savior; Jesus is the only Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

Romans 3:23 New King James Version (NKJV)23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

John 14:6 New King James Version (NKJV)6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Acts 4:12 New King James Version (NKJV)12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Rahab proves to us that even the worst of sinners is a candidate not only for the Love of God; not only to be saved from our sins; but that God can give us a life of abundance, joy, promotion, and stature.

Rahab was taken from the house of shame to the Hall of fame of Hebrews 11.

If God did that for Rahab, He can do it for you!!!