Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Rahab the Immoral Woman

Reading: Joshua 3:1-14, 6:25

Key Verse: “But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua sent as spies to Jericho – and she lives among the Israelites to this day.” 6:25

Rahab is one of the most precious of jewels in the Bible in terms of its characters. To appreciate her story more deeply we would encourage you to read all of Joshua chapter 3 and chapter 6 verses 22 to 25. Bible knowledge and understanding is often encapsulated not in one off proof texts or legalistic principles but in story and particularly the story of people just like you and me. 

Rahab was an immoral woman - a prostitute and therefore deserving of death under God’s laws. Think for example of the woman caught in adultery brought to Jesus (John 8:1-11). Rahab was also a Canaanite who were guilty of idol worship, heinous inhuman acts (Deut.18:10-13) and destined for judicial execution by God’s people. Yet she is regarded as a stand out example of faith in Hebrews (Heb.11:31). 

Why was she spared? Simply put, she had a New Beginning! She chose to identify with the one true God and His people. By faith she trusted in the scarlet cord to save her from Jericho’s destruction. By faith we trust in the scarlet blood of Jesus to save us. Rahab became an ancestor of Jesus (Matt.1:5); we become His descendents (Rom.8:29).

Prayer: Thank You Jesus that a New Beginning is not based on what I have done but my faith in You