Femme Friday Rahab

 

Once upon a time there was a woman. This woman lived in a large city filled with giants. She had a stead trade as an inn-keeper/madam. Her name was Rahab. Rahab could sense the tension and stress among her male patrons. The city gates were always closed. Rumors of an invading army were circulating in the front rooms. Jericho was under threat. Later in the evening, Rahab met two men who were different than her normal customer. They had on clothes that smelled of irregular washing. Strange boxes hung close to their ears and around their waists. As Rahab spoke to them, it became clear that the rumors of invasion were true! Jericho was going to be challenged. 

Rahab knew what her city was like. The pride and greed that filled the city officials. The low opinions of the poor, helpless and outcasts held by the elite left many of Jericho's citizens without. The people prayed to their Canaanite gods, but they always stayed silent. Or only seemed to reward those who could afford the offerings at the temples. Children were discarded. People followed their own lusts instead of being kind to their fellow humans. Until now, Rahab had been driven by coin. Trying her best to stay ahead, but not draw much attention to the services offered at her inn. 

These strangers were different, they didn't require companionship, they wanted information. Information on how the city was preparing. The thickness of the walls. What happened in the city? Were it's rulers and officials worried? Did they still have abundant amounts of milk, honey, dates and flax? Rahab realized Jericho was going to be no more. There was a different attitude in these Israelites. They didn't leer at her or her girls. They kept their hands to themselves. Even their army looked different than soldiers from Jericho. Rahab had heard the stories of the other towns the Israelites had walked past. How a God of some kind went before them. How there was always a vertical cloud or a column of fire going before this strange group. Even though the fighting men were shorter and less numerous than other armies, they were still victorious no matter the odds. This small community of tribes that had wandered through the desert was now at the gates of Jericho. Ready to take Canaan land for themselves. Rahab wanted to be a part of this new nation. 

Rahab wasn't just being opportunistic. She was genuinely intrigued by these Israel spies. Hearing about the wonders they had seen in the desert. About a God that ruled alone. Without a pantheon of deities that opposed one another. All of this led to Rahab betraying the soldiers that came looking for the spies. Instead of offering the spies up for temporary safety, Rahab took the long bet on the God of Israel. She hid the spies on her roof among some flax. Then, she let them down by a rope. 

When the strange army began marching around the walls in silence, Rahab had her doubts. but she hung the rope out her window. The sign they had agreed on for her safety. As they continued to march in silence, Rahab began believing that this Hebrew God was definitely different from any other god she had known about or worshipped. Finally, Rahab heard horns and shouting. Than the walls began to tremble. When Rahab looked out her window, she saw whole sections of the city tumbling down. The devastation was complete. All except for her home was left in ruin. 

Later, when the dust had actually settled and the Israeli army was marching into the city, Rahab came out of her home. She met up with the spies and they introduced her as woman of honor to the people. She was no longer Rahab the harlot or prostitute. All of that shame and hustle was wiped away. Joining a new people group also gave Rahab a new identity. Rahab went on to get married and have a son. Her son's name is Boaz. 

Rahab was someone who took a chance on a God she knew little about. She was given a new identity. A new heritage and hope. May we each follow her example and choose where God shows us, not just what we have known.