Rahab is a very small, yet powerful character in the bible. Her story is told in the book of Joshua, specifically in chapters 2 and 6. First, let’s talk about her background. Rahab was a Canaanite woman who lived in Jericho. She was also a prostitute. In that time, prostitutes were of low social status and vulnerable, often surviving through their trade. Since they were of a lower class, they often lived close to the city gates, or in the city wall, like Rahab did. Another important thing to note was that typically, prostitutes would not get married, which was a shameful thing in their culture.
Now back to the story. In Joshua chapter 2, Joshua sends spies into Jericho, so that they can see how strong the city is, if the city is ready for war, and what would be the best plan of attack. The spies needed a place to stay for the night, so they went and stayed at Rahab’s house. Later, the king of Jericho was told about the spies, so he sent his men to ask Rahab where they had gone. But she told the Kingsmen, ‘I did see the spies, but I do not know where they come from. They left at dusk, if you leave now, you might be able to catch them.’ However, Rahab had already hid the spies on her roof under a pile of straw so that they would not be seen. This was a very big act of faith that Rahab showed, because she knew that lying to the Kingsmen could come with very serious consequences. After the Kingsmen left, the city gates closed, and they were locked out. Rahab went up to the spies on the roof, and said to them, ‘I know that the true God has given you this land. I have heard of all the great things your God has done, and that he is the one true God of heaven and earth. So please promise me that you will show mercy to me and my family, because I have been kind to you.’ The spies said, ‘Of course, because you have hidden us and saved our lives, we will spare you and your family when we storm Jericho.’ Rahab let them climb down the city wall with a rope, and told them to hide in the hills for three days so the Kingsmen could return. Just before they left, they told her, ‘We will spare your family, only if you tie a red rope outside your window so we know what house to spare. Make sure everyone you want to keep safe is inside the house, and if they step outside the house, they will no longer be safe. Also, we will only keep you safe if you do not tell anyone about us.’ Rahab agreed and tied a red rope to the window. When the Israelites came, and marched around the city for seven days, then on the seventh day, they made a loud shout, the city walls, all except for Rahab’s house, fell. The Israelites went in and killed every living thing. When they were done, they went into Rahab’s house to get Rahab and her family, and they lived the rest of their lives with the Israelites. Rahab was allowed to marry Salmon and was a part of the genealogy of Jesus.
Why is the story of Rahab so important? The story of Rahab shows how important it is to follow God and what he wants for us, even if it is hard to do, or it is something we are advised against. Our journey with God is our own, and we should do what he wants us to do, even if it requires bravery. Rahab didn’t know that hiding the spies would save her and her family. Rahab didn’t know that the king wasn’t going to prosecute her for lying. Rahab just put all of her faith in the Lord and let his will be greater than her own.
Many other times in the bible, Rahab is praised for her faith and is rewarded because of her courage to put her life in the Gods hands. What we can learn from this story, is that God wants us to choose to follow him even when it's hard. He wants us to choose to follow him even when it feels like we are alone in this world. If we do this, then we are building our relationship with our heavenly father, and we are strengthening our ability to be like Christ and follow in his footsteps.