I want my daughters to grow up to be just like a prostitute. But not just any prostitute, I want them to be just like Rahab. And here’s a little secret…I hope they see a lot of Rahab in me too. What’s so great about Rahab that I want my daughter’s to emulate her? Follow her story with me in Joshua 2.

First, Rahab believed because she had heard. When Rahab meets the Israelite spies she doesn’t hesitate to inform them that she knows about their God. In verses 9 and 10, she tells the spies that she had heard how God led the Israelites across the Red Sea, what the Israelites had done to the Amorite kings, and that God was going to give the land of Canaan to them. Notice in verse 10 that Rahab says, “For we have heard how the Lord…(emphasis mine).” The people of Jericho had heard the same stories that Rahab had heard. The difference was that hearing produced faith in God for Rahab, but the people of Jericho chose not to believe. I want for my children to hear those Bible stories from me, their Bible class teachers, and preachers. Most of all, I want their hearing to lead to a belief in God, just like Rahab.

Second, Rahab knows that God will reward her faith with salvation.  Read verses 12 and 13:

Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death. (ESV)

She tells the spies that because of her willingness to help them, because of her belief in God, that she has faith God will save her and her family from the destruction of Jericho. This woman is brazen in her faith! There is no wishy-washy requesting, “Um, maybe, could you, if it’s not too much trouble…”  Rahab firmly requests that she, a Gentile, will be spared. I pray my children learn to go boldly to God and ask for what they need. Brazen in their faith to request anything from God, just like Rahab.

Third, Rahab is told that God expects obedience to prove her faith. The spies agree to Rahab’s request, but let her know there are some things she must do: tie a red cord in her window and keep everyone in her house (v. 18-19). God expects us to be obedient to His commands today as well. Our faith should lead us to repent (Romans 2:4), to confess (Romans 10:10), and to be baptized in order to obtain forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). Rahab’s obedience to God’s commands saved her life, and our obedience saves ours as well (Mark 16:16). I want my children to have a faith that moves them into obedience, just like Rahab.

Fourth, Rahab’s belief, faith, and obedience are rewarded with adoption and lineage. After we leave Rahab in Joshua 2, the Israelites cross the Jordan and receive instructions from God telling them how to defeat Jericho. Rahab makes an appearance again in Joshua 6:22-25, when she is brought out from Jericho safely by the spies she had helped. We find out from Matthew 1:5 that Rahab eventually becomes a proselyte (convert to Judaism), great-grandmother of King David, and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. The lineage of faith that she leaves behind is an amazing one. She is even included as a hero of faith in Hebrews 11:31. As Christians, we too have been adopted into God’s family (Galatians 3:26). Every day I pray that my faith will leave a lineage for my children, grandchildren, and generations until Jesus’ return. I claim the promise God made in Deuteronomy 7:9:

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations. (ESV)

I want my family to love the Lord for years to come, just like Rahab.

By Chelli Guthrie
Chelli and her husband, Luke, work with the Abell St. church of Christ in Wharton, Texas.  Luke is the assistant minister and she teaches the Jr. High class on Sunday mornings and teach the Children’s Bible Hour program on Sunday nights.  She is a stay-at-home mom to their three kids: Grace Evelyn, Sophia Elizabeth, and Levi Matthew.