Ezra Discussion questions to encourage interaction. 4(F)Then the woman took the two men and hid them. We are told in Joshua 2:1 that Rahab was a harlot and that the two men Joshua sent to spy out Jericho came to her house. According to Moore (2016), Rahab is introduced in the Bible as a prostitute. "Foreign women are the ones who sexually tempt you and lure you to give up your own god," says Hanna Tervanotko, a religion professor at McMaster University. 23 Sobering Bible Verses for Alcohol Addiction, 31 Inspiring Bible Verses for the Elderly, 8 Important Bible Veres About Forgiving Others Who Hurt You. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary - Rahab, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Rahab. This is a great lesson we can learn: like Rahab, we must act on our faith. This was an incredible act of faith. Salvation is by faith alone. Abraham I think the differences arise because of a unique emphasis from the authors due to their awareness of the audience. However, James 2:22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did (again, emphasis added). Rahab, (Heb. To understand and appreciate how Rahab's house survived the event in Joshua 6, first it should be recognised that the wall's fate to "fall down flat" was a miracle. heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. Both Paul and James say that a person is saved by faith and that their faith should be evident through the good works they do. Ruth was a Moabite. When you get to one person you think, There is no need to write down their name. He alludes to Genesis 22 and quotes Genesis 15:16 and concludes that a person is considered righteous because of what they do, not on the basis of faith alone (James 2:24). Rahab "That story of a conquest is much more about faith than events that occurred at the time. The contrast of her actions from her life before Christ and her life after Christ is evident. 2. Joshua 2:8-14. She was to hang a scarlet cord from her window as a sign, so the Jews could find and protect her. Although a citizen of Jericho, she had heard about Gods miracles on behalf of the Jews. I look at those passages and see similar meanings: That Rahab had faith, and through that faith she acted in accordance to Gods will, and because of her faith AND actions she is made righteous in the eyes of the Lord. Cheyenne & Tracy are a mother-daughter team over at, Free Printable Bible Reading Plans for Beginners, Giving it to God: 5 Ways to Let Go and Let God. I had not given much thought on why Rahab was chosen in this passage alongside of the great father Abraham. James is discussing what should happen when you are saved. 21Then she said, According to your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed. The unknown became known to her, and because of her faith she was spared. Righteous people dont need saving. WebRahab is one of only two women listed in the honor roll of the faithful in chapter 11 of Hebrews. This is why I think James uses both Abraham and Rahab as examples. The Bible lists Rahab the harlot as an ancestor of Jesus Christ. So Rahab requested that when Joshua and his army came to take Jericho, she and her whole family would be shown favor and allowed to live. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. In my opinion they are complimentary of each other. The author of James makes it abundantly clear that he feels action is necessary to have genuine faith (James 2). She also gave false information about the two spies to the agents of the king of Jericho when they questioned her (verses 3-5). Rahab and her family were safe when Jericho fell because Rahab had taken action when confronted with her faith. Ancestry and family life: Joshua 3:12-13. To answer the question, I think that James would have made for an interesting center of our theology as far as soteriology and justification is concerned. Your browser does not support JavaScript. It was probably general known that she came out of prostitution, yet Salmon married her anyway. She believed in God after hearing about how God helped the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land. She put her faith into action by caring for the immediate physical need of safety for the spies. Rahab is among a few women who are named in the genealogy of Jesus in the first chapter of Matthew; women were not often specifically mentioned in Bible times. When whole families are saved, it normally starts with one person believing. One of these topics of possible contradiction is the debate of faith between James and Paul. Because of this womans faith, her entire family was saved. 2), and it is stated that her faith and hospitality has saved her (1 Clem. a poetical name of Egypt, ( Psalms 89:10 ; Isaiah 51:9 ) signifying "fierceness, insolence, pride." Rebekah Rahab is one of only four women listed in Jesus genealogy. "It was deserted, and all they would have seen was a very high mound about 70 feet high.". Paul and James both preach the same things from different angles, there is harmony between them for those who have eyes to see. This illustrates a point about faith that Paul wrote: Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). In other words, she brought her life in line with the biblical standard of marriage (Genesis 2:24). WebThe first mention of Rahabs husband, Salmon, is in the book of Ruth. God used Rahab for a story for redemption, using her in spite of her past for great works, including being a part of brining Gods greatest gift into the world through His Son (Matthew 1:5). But her request was that her entire family could be spared. Start for FREE. This isnt much a question of her righteous character at all. While all the other walls fell, the section containing her home remained standing. Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. New Living Translation She believed because of what she heard. James argues that faith and works are essential aspects to Christian living, being inseparable for true belief in who Jesus Christ is. When I was thinking about this, I was wondering if the fact that Rahab believed even though she had only heard about what happened has anything to do with this. Rahab Sign up for our newsletter to receive your free 36 lesson Bible study E-book of Revelation. Deuteronomy 23:17-18, Proverbs 6:20-7, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20. Like Rahab, we can exercise faith and loyalty to the true God through hearing and reading about Him. Life Lessons from Rahab - Articles about the Bible - Bible In Hebrews, a letter to a community of Jewish Christians, the author (Paul or one of his assistants) includes a stirring treatise on faith, described as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. But both proved their faith through their actions. Let it be as you say. Joshua 2:14-21 NIV. Though James and Paul seem to have different theologies, it is important to consider the fact that they may not have been at war with each other in terms of their theological perspectives. Zavada, Jack. Rahab believed that Yahweh was stronger, and demonstrated that by hiding the spies from Israel. Rahab married a man named Salmon of the tribe of Judah, its believed that he was one of the spies that she hid on her roof in Joshua 6. Thinking back on my long tenure in the church and having heard what must be thousands of sermons, I have never heard one preached on Rehab. And through this line, the whole world was impacted. It does initially seem like the Bible is promoting works with the passage, however, there is a deeper meaning after studying the passage with context. She refused to betray them to the king of Jericho, and when he demanded them, she hid them on the roof of her house with stalks of flax that she had laid in order to dry. Rahab Salem Media Group. But somewhere along the line God had been working on her heart so that when these men arrived, she would be ready and willing to step into the role God had for her. This story was just the beginning for Rahab the harlot, as she left Jericho and the life she had lived there. "Rahab the Prostitute." Liar In which verse or verses did Rahab lie (2:4-5)? If the soldiers had found them, she and possibly even her family would have been in serious trouble. Since she has protected Joshuas two spies and is therefore exempt from the destruction of all the people of Jericho (Josh 6:17). Most commonly he refers to this as bearing good fruit. by The one who does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire even if they say they are all good because of their Jewish heritage (Matt. I believe that James and Paul have extremely different views and theologies on salvation of human beings. Rahab owned a house, built on the outer walls of Jericho. One motivates the other. Pauls intention was to reassure Gentiles that they do not need to follow Jewish customs. Both theologies are correct and one is clearly more pointed to the Jewish community who already believe in God and the other is pointed to more of a Gentile community. Rahab Esther Both have a lot to offer but one theology would be very spiritual depth and reliant on God rather than church planting and mission work. Place your bet on the winning team Rahab correctly believed that the Jews would defeat Jericho because of Gods power. Jonathan Harlotry was not considered shameful or immoral in Canaanite culture. She put her trust in God and took a risk to help Gods people. Marriage and assimilation into the nation of Israel. This does not mean that James was trying to follow this specific story, but that a similar idea is represented: what a person truly believes, no matter where they are from, is shown in what they do or say. Did she betray her people? Why does James use Rahab as an example of someone who is considered righteous? WebSalmon ( Hebrew: almn) or Salmah ( alm, Greek: ) is a person mentioned in genealogies in both the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and in the New Testament . People assume that Jericho's ancient walls were erected to keep out enemy armies, but there are other theories for how the walls functioned, including as a bulwark against periodic floods that washed sediment down from the surrounding highlands. Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. I think that the argument made that Rahab chose God over her own country, and that the author of James is simply showing that actions are required to have real faith makes a lot of sense. This could also be a reason why Rahab was used as an example. Lessons From Rahab in the Bible - Life, Hope and Truth What are applications we can make from this? She could of just said she had faith and done nothing allowing the two spies to be captured. This means that her prostitution was a major aspect of her life. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. 23So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them. The story of Rahab in the Bible shows us that no past is too bad, no mistakes to bold to keep our God from using us. The actions she did showed her faith. Let's set the scene. Are there not many more characters to choose from? You may catch up with them. (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) Elisha Name: Rahab. His most recent book is The Book of Enoch for Beginners: A Guide to Expand Your Understanding of the Biblical World (Rockridge, 2022). Still, I must ask why her in particular? It is after having gained salvation that James speaks of faith apart of works being dead. Even a holy nation like Israel often had prostitutes. Both point to Rahabs actions in saving the spies, James saying it made her righteous and the author of Hebrews saying it was by faith she was spared. Practical applications designed for life change. Then she let them down by a rope out of her window (her house was on the city wall). Rahab When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Rahab reminds us that we can take risks for God, no I think that James 2:8 really showcases James intention for his book, he was not trying to cause division or arguments, James simply wants us to love one another and love our God. We are first introduced to Rahab in the book of Joshua as the Israelites prepared to conquer Jericho (Joshua 2:1-23). The spies agreed to do so if she would keep their secret, place her family ssafely inside her house, and tie a scarlet ribbon in her window as a signal to the Israelite army to spare her home. However, it is not uncommon to question her being referenced as a righteous woman because of her being a prostitute, recorded in the same chapter. Rahab was the prostitute from Jericho who saved the Israelite spies from being caught by the authorities of Jericho. Bible Study, Prayer, & Spiritual Growth Online. It was the Kings messengers! says James 2:14. https://www.learnreligions.com/rahab-the-prostitute-701175 (accessed June 28, 2023). Used by permission. For Paul, one is justified by grace through faith not of works.. This idea is not isolated to this one story in Matt 15 but shown many times in Jesus teachings. Something interesting to consider is that in the book of Matthew chapter 1, Rahab is actually mentioned to be in the ancestry of Christ. Barnabas Rahab the Prostitute. It requires faith in a big God (Joshua 2:11). Matthew 1:5-16. Rahab She later gave birth to Boaz, who married Ruth (see our article about Ruth). Rahab was heard by El Shama, the God who hears me, God heard Rahab and kept His promise to Rahab. The notes in the NKJV Study Bible speculate that it is possible that Rahab had been reduced to prostitution by the death of her husband and by the needs of her impoverished family. They also explain that a house that was part of the defensive walls of the city would be a humble dwelling, just the spot for a poor prostitute.. King David's mother Bathsheba isn't mentioned by name but referred to as "the wife of Uriah.". Isaac Khalil is husband to his lovely wife, Natasha, and father to son, Eli and daughter, Abigal. God will always provide for His followers if they seek Him first. She was familiar with what the Israelite's and their God have been doing. James uses Rahab as a key example to show that you dont need a perfect faith to be saved, but that you need to also have works to show for it. However, "zonah" is the same Hebrew word used by Israelite prophets like Hosiah and Ezekial to admonish the people for "prostituting" themselves to other gods. Rahab would keep silent about their mission and the Israelites would spare everyone in her household when they invaded the city. Both showed an intense loyalty to the God of Israel that was uncommon even among the Israelites. The story of Rahab is one about faith. The Bible tells us that we cant please God without faith: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV). Place in history:Matthew 1:5. Women played such an important role in biblical history. After all, Abraham was also a Gentile who expressed his faith in some concrete action (offering Isaac as a sacrifice). WebDuring the time of the judges, an Israelite family from Bethlehem Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their sons Mahlon and Chilion emigrated to the nearby country of Moab. She said, Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. And He is God on the earth, meaning He sees everything we do. Come with me. She pointed up to the roof. For James, Rahab may be a better example for his point since she demonstrated her faith by hiding the spies before she expressed her faith in the God of Israel. Paul is discussing the point of salvation. The king of Jericho was told, Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.. In Joshua 2, the account of Rahab does not show her only as an immoral, pagan woman, but as a heroine who helped saved Israels spies. I think that it stands in line with the rest of his book. If she was caught hiding them, she would have serious consequences for her actions, but because she had faith she was able to accomplish what she did. Rahab shines through scripture as a woman of courage as she acted to protect the spies hiding and her family. The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe. He is the God of heaven, meaning He has all power. Peter Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way. Now the men had said to her, This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. All rights reserved. James explains that faith must be accompanied by action (2:17). Web#Watch Atmosphere of Victory with @PastorKojoFrimpong. Joab They will never change. Dont give up on them. "Rahab is quite remarkable. I think, like what Taylor said, that this is a verse that tends to get glossed over. In this statement, she was forsaking her own gods as worthless. King David's mother Bathsheba isn't mentioned by name but referred to as "the wife of Uriah." He has authored or coauthored more than twenty-five books. Her story is full of lessons that can help us in our own lives today. While decades of modern archeological excavations have failed to uncover evidence of a military conquest of Jericho, it probably looked that way to ancient travelers. One could even equate good deeds with loving others, which then reflects back to 1 Corinthians 13 where Paul says that without love we are nothing. The spies reported how it had fared with them ( Joshua 2:1-7 ). (3) (rahabh, literally, "storm," "arrogance"): A mythical sea-monster, probably referred to in several passages where the word is translated as a common noun "pride" (Job 9:13), "the proud" (Job 26:12; compare Psalms 89:10). Perhaps she knew this because of her entertaining and hiring herself out to visitors to the city. Daniel "By faith," it says in Hebrews, "Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. She was to mark her dwelling with a scarlet cord in the window. But the fact is, Ruth was Rahabs daughter-in-law. By faith the prostitute Rahab Rahab is one of only 5 women mentioned in the genealogy of Christ. Rahab, as a name of Egypt, occurs once only without reference to the exodus: this is in ( Psalms 87:4 ) In ( Isaiah 30:7 ) the name is alluded to. She showed her faith in Israels God through her actions and let the spies down the outer wall of the city by a rope through the window (Joshua 2:15-18). Lying is sin with no exceptions. Vicki Willoughby is a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in Arkansas. : IFL Publishing House, 2010). Rahab had faith, and she acted on that faith. What do you think about this? Read about other examples of faith in our Women of Faith section. Salmon (biblical figure Rahab not only saved the lives of the Israelite spies, but she professed her faith in their God, which went against everything that the Old Testament typically warned about the dangers of foreign women. And eventually, she was no longer known as the harlot who hid the spies but as the wife of Salmon, the mother of Boaz, and the ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:516). (2020, August 28). As referenced in the blog post you quote James by saying faith without works is dead; not I dont believe he is using works as in being a good person but rather just having faith without doing anything for the kingdom is dead and your spirit is not being filled with the Word of God and what He calls us to do. I like to believe that the Bible uses characters like Rahab, who was a prostitute, to show the glory of God and His ability to save all different types of people. Because I understand the theology of James and his view on how Christians can receive salvation, I feel as if I can easily understand why James chose to incorporate this Rahab reference into his letter.