Exceptional Bible CharactersSample

Rahab was a young Canaanite prostitute living in Jericho. She was not one of God's people. Everything about her context was opposite to God's way. Yet, she put her faith in God, who she acknowledged, 'is God in heaven above and on the earth below'. Rahab put her faith in the God of Israel, whom she had heard about. Her actions in aiding the Israelite spies led to her salvation during the destruction of Jericho. Rahab was saved because of her faith in God (Hebrews 11:31) - just as we are saved when we put our faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8). Yet while we are saved by grace through faith, true faith requires and is exemplified by action (James 2), demonstrated by Rahab looking after the spies. Rahab chose to leave her family, her culture, and her religion so that she could belong to the Lord. In the end, she married the Israelite Salmon, and her heritage of faith was great. She became the mother of Boaz, the husband of Ruth. And she is named in the lineage of Jesus Himself (Matthew 1:5). Rahab's past was wiped clean when she came to belong to God, and she was honoured.

Question: How does Rahab's story inspire and encourage you? Do you also have a past which God has wiped clean? Are you accepting of brothers and sisters in Christ who came to faith from a different background to yours?