JOSHUA 2 RAHAB

Has God given up on us and can't use us anymore? Rahab was a prostitute (perhaps even a cultic prostitute). Because of that, there have been numerous attempts by both Jewish rabbis and fundamentalist Christians to whitewash her and other prominent biblical characters. Josephus calls her an innkeeper, so do the Targums. Why? That trend goes along with a works-oriented theology. Think of all the biblical characters that God used in spite of their unworthiness, not because they were worthy. Francis Schaeffer puts it this way: “Is Rahab any worse than we? If it is not fitting that she should be the ancestress of Christ, is it fitting that we should be the bride of Christ?”

Commentators seem to be much more concerned about her other sin (telling a lie). Why? Because she was now a believer? One commentator stresses that she did not tell a lie because in Israel, truth means loyalty toward your neighbor and God, not agreement with fact. On the other hand, Calvin said, “For those who hold what is called a dutiful lie to be altogether excusable, do not sufficiently consider how precious truth is in the sight of God.” Remember that the Bible neither judges or condones her actions, Hebrews praises her for her faith, and James for her actions in taking in the spies and seeing that they left by a safe route. Also, she is a new believer who does not know the Mosaic law yet.

Faith is the seed of true religion. What does this mean in Rahab's case? Did she have true faith or just fear of adverse consequences? I have to admit that my own conversion as a teenager was more from consequences not for consequences. God helps us grow afterwards.

What was she turning against in supporting the Jews? Her people, her religion. Reminds us of Ruth who left her land and people to follow Naomi. And both women led to the line that produced Jesus.

The fact that her descendant Boaz was a wealthy landowner indicates that Rahab's family was treated quite well by the Jews. This is in line with the various commands to respect the “alien residents among you.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)

“When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.” How does this translate to Christian community? Shouldn't we treat the convert the same as one who was raised in the faith? Of course, since we were all at one time aliens. Actually, the true converts probably appreciate their position in Christ more than those of us who take it for granted. The only justified “discrimination” taught in the Bible concerns leadership positions where the recent convert is wisely excluded (I Timothy).