Partly because of her reputation as a prostitute but also because of the restraints put on women in those times. It means not fighting in our own physical strength but instead; trusting and leaning into Gods might. Rahabs story isnt long though its longer than many stories in the Bible, but what little there is of the story is profound. For forty years, the children of Israel had wandered in the wilderness without a home. The Israelite army had just arrived in the Promised Land, and their first task was to conquer the city of Jericho. He and his wife, Mae, reside in Western North Carolina. Thanks so much! The spies are taken in by a woman named Rahab, who hides them from the authorities and helps them escape. If she didnt, theyd be free from their promise to her. As they began yet another march around the city, the dust rose in their wake and the blare of horns again pierced the air. The Bible talks about Rahabs faith. By hiding the Israelite spies, she helped to ensure that their mission was successful. It will likely shrivel and die unless someone else comes along to provide a life source. a. It took a lot of courage to defy a king. What did it take to convince her entire family they would be better off living in a whorehouse? They keep their head level when chasing prey. 1. This suggests that she was close to her family and may have still been living with them. The verses state Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, and go on to state Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. This is supported by the fact that she is described as being a prostitute, which would have been an occupation that was not practiced by the Israelites. Among the many stories that are interwoven in that wonderful section of the Bible, the woman of the scarlet cord takes her honored place. The rabbis viewed Rahab as a worthy convert to Judaism, and attested that Rahab married Joshua following her conversion; their descendants included the prophets Jeremiah, Hilkiah, Seraiah, Mahseiah, Baruch, Ezekiel and the prophetess Hulda, [22] although there is no report in the book of Joshua of the leader marrying anyone, or having any family There is no more touching story of God's glorious grace than the genealogical introduction to the birth of Jesus by faith through the line of Joseph in Matthew chapter 1. It had been 40 years since Joshua, Israels leader at the time, had set eyes on the promised land. She found God and she ran to Him and He gave her an entirely new identity. Article Images Copyright , The Scarlet Cord: Rahab's Bible Story & Our Story, 10 Reasons Why the Trial of Jesus Was Illegal. Rahab was a creative problem solver. Still, she boldly asked them to spare her life. But not Rahab. He speaks His own words. None of their neighboring countries had been able to penetrate their walls and so they felt safe. 3. It also demonstrates that even when things seem hopeless, we can trust that God is in control and He will always help us achieve victory. Wouldnt the Father ensure a pure lineage for His Son? Her only other option would be to seek out another people group and cling to them. Im glad your faith was boosted by Rahabs story. window.fd('form', { This leads us to Rahabs real shining moment;the role she played in helping the Israelites conquer Jericho. As a result of her actions, she and her family were spared when the city was destroyed. Moses birth place was Egypt and the names of his parents were Amran and Jochebed. How people view us is our stumbling block and often times we associate Gods view of us with mans view of us. 9 Facts about Rahab in the Bible.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3','ezslot_1',624,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3-0'); Rahab was a prostitute who lived in Jericho. Her circumstances are unknown, but her family may have experienced brokenness that deeply affected her. As if that wasnt enough risk, Rahab goes on to help the spies create a strategic and safe return home (Joshua 2:14-16). Rahab; the girl lost in an incredibly sinful life. Rahab was one of the ancestors of Jesus mentioned in the first chapter of the New Testament. Sometimes we get this idea that to escape from the things that separate us from God we need to slowly wean ourselves off of them. Melting ice and icebergs make frizzing noise called "bergy selter". Second, Rahab reminds us that anyone can be saved by Gods grace. 33. It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky. Have We Turned Our Favorite Preachers and Teachers into Idols? complete lack of inhibition or restraint. There is also an account of Rahab (Rahabs Story) in the Hebrew Bibles historical books, where she appears as a Canaanite woman who aided Joshuas spies in Jericho and was saved from destruction along with her family. 1. She was a Canaanite woman who lived in the city of Jericho during the time of the Israelite conquest. One thinks of Audens remarkable poem, The Fall of Rome, when the movement of herds on the European tundra marked the march of Goths and Visigoths: Altogether elsewhere, vast herds of reindeer move across miles and miles of golden moss, silently and very fast.. Strawberries contain more vitamin C than oranges. Attention, class! This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. The story of Rahab is found in the Old Testament book of Joshua. What is the History of the King of Jericho? As such, Raphael most likely spent his formative years in contact with the court. The American flag. Despite her profession, she was a woman of faith who put her trust in the God of Israel. Interesting Facts About Ruth Barnes' Bible Charts MEANING: Hebrew meaning "Friendship" or "Association" AUTHOR: Authorship uncertain TIME WRITTEN: Uncertain POSITION IN THE BIBLE: 8th Book in the Bible 8th Book in the Old Testament 3rd of 12 books of History (Joshua - Esther) 58 Books to follow it. 1. What is the path that lies ahead of you? But what happened to Rahab after that? Get your copy of Rahab Woman of Jericho. Who came to rescue the earth from God's destruction? To learn more visit and subscribe: https://michaelmilton.org/about/. The history of the King of Jericho is found in the book of Joshua. In short, the City Gates were extremely important in both a practical and symbolic sense. Thats how the entire line of Abraham started! First, this story teaches us that God is faithful to His promises. The word for "window" appears three times in the Rahab narrative (Josh 2: 15, 18, 21) when she helps the men escape and marks her house so it will be spared destruction.Windows have a prominent role in the stories of several other biblical women: Michal (2 Sam 6:16), the mother of Sisera (Judg 5:28 -31), and Jezebel (2 Kgs 9:30).All these women are looking through their palace windows . 2. In addition to serving as a physical barrier, the gates also served as a symbolic barrier between the inside and outside of the city. He promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky, and He kept that promise by sending them into the Promised Land. RAHAB peered from her window as the light of dawn streamed onto the plain surrounding Jericho. Rahab is praised for her faith in Hebrews 11:31. He lived for 120 years. Lined up, all of the planets in the solar system could fit between the Earth and the moon. 5. Just as the Israelites' faith in God led to their victory, Rahab's faith saved her family and played a key role in the Israelites' success over Jericho. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. When scripture mentions Rahab, she's almost always called Rahab the harlot except in Matthew's genealogy. The most frequently cited example revolves around Rahab's lie in the book of Joshua and two separate, favorable comments about Rahab in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25). 1. Did you know that Rahab is one of the most celebrated women in the Bible? They didnt necessarily deny Gods existence, but they had little reverence for God as the sovereign One and saw no problem with giving glory to idols and other deities. It was the norm. She was rewarded for her kindness and ultimately married Joshua, taking her place in the ranks of righteous converts.. Who Was Rahab? Its the type of surrender that invites God to do the work only a sovereign God can do. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. In Rahabs case, it wasnt any of those things. Rahab is a very important figure in the Bible, appearing in both the book of Joshua and the New Testament. Helping Women Gain Confidence In Bible Study. So how did she become part of the greatest story ever told? No matter the hairstyle and no matter the thickness, the average human being has around 100,000 hairs growing on their head at any one time. Would the kings men have found the spies if they had decided to search the house? The scarlet cord was used by Rahab to indicate to the Israelite spies which house belonged to her and her family so that they would not be harmed when the city of Jericho was destroyed (Joshua 2:18-19). FUN FACTS ABOUT Rahab Auguste She was born on Sept. 7th 1970 Her favorite artist was Prince and she had a crush on Ralph Tresvant from New Edition as a teen. The outer layer of skin is also replaced every month. Living purposefully for Christ starts with laying down all that was, and clinging to all that He is. Grit, abandon, and surrender. By Hebrew definitions, she should be dead. Instead, they had to wait for God to give them victory. Rahab put her life at risk several times while helping the spies. There it is: "Your God is God." Unmistakably a statement of fact and a confession of faith. What made her do that? The word translated as harlot or prostitute in our English Bibles is the Hebrew word znh (pronounced zaw-naw). There was no guarantee these risks would pay off, but to Rahab, these risks were worth it. Lets take a look at the things that Rahab chose to leave behind to gain life with God. His name means "lofty, exalted, or high mountain." There is no information about his birth or his early years. A woman of Rahabs age (40+) left unwed and without a child was shamed. However, one woman, Rahab, was spared because she had helped the Israelite spies who had come to reconnaissance the city before their conquest. And in Christ Jesus, the blood-stained crimson cross of shame became the gleaming symbol of salvation. Then I will introduce you to the woman of the scarlet cord, the greater grandmother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It describes a toxic one, or more relate-ably a toxic person. The woman who had been called a harlot became a godly wife and mother in Israel. The two spies walk up to a house thats set in the wall of Jericho and meet a woman, Rahab. She didnt just let go of some things, she abandoned EVERYTHING. 5. Along with the five traditional senses of sound, sight, touch, smell and taste, humans have 15 "other senses.". #hebrews12endurance, What is Idolatry? Random Fun Facts About Geography 63. Miraculous stories trickled into town about the way the Hebrew God had dried up the Red Sea. This was especially important at night when the gates would be closed and only those with the proper credentials would be allowed to enter. This caused the walls of Jericho to collapse, and the Israelites were able to enter the city and defeat its inhabitants. This was in keeping with Gods command that all the inhabitants of Canaan be destroyed. Rahab is one of four women mentioned in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus. How could Almighty God, the holy God of heaven, use such a sinner like me?" Historians believe that the Wall of Jericho was actually built around 8,000 years ago during the Neolithic period. All rights reserved. I always thought that too! Run your raceIn Rahab Woman of Jericho, the main character had to resist giving in to the expectation of others, including her family. Quechua. She refused to nurture those things anymore. Something tells me she had been waiting for an opportunity like this; a chance to escape the darkness in Canaan and the hurt of her life. What made her do that? Find a digital copy of the Rahab study here. 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). She is remembered for the remarkable transformation. Answer: True According to Matthew 1:5-6, Rahab was the great-great grandmother of David. Jesus' own lineage shows how God powerfully uses us despite our past. This act of bravery led to Rahab and her family being spared when Jericho was destroyed. Interested in digging deeper? She lived in a totally corrupt society that engaged in every kind of sexual perversion and idol worship which included child sacrifice. Cats have an amazing way of catching their prey. She knew what she wanted for her life and she had to remain focused on it. The character study on Rahab the harlot uncovers some key lessons. Ruth is not a whore but a Moabite, a member of a despised people. Copyright 2011-2023 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved. The King of Jericho was killed in battle, along with all his soldiers. And we can become a blessing to others. One of Rahabs greatest characteristic was that she didnt only think about saving herself, she also had compassion for her fathers household and made plans to save them as well. This week was my week to lead. Honeybees navigate by using the sun as a compass. Im just constantly amazed the more I learn. Rahabs story is told in the Book of Joshua, chapters 2 and 6. pic.twitter.com/X8oPHr9usC Tami Dooms (@TamiDooms) August 6, 2022, Tonights living by faith example is Rahab, who expressed her faith in the living God: the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. (Joshua 2:11). Your nails also follow the same principle - hair and nails are both made of the protein keratin. "For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below" (Joshua 2:11). If they want another lobster to know that they're happy or sad or angry or interested in a relationship, they say it with pee! But we see Rahab taking a bold step towards her destiny leaving her past behind. For we have 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 the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon, and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. Her name was Rahab. The quote, Let go and let God instructs us to let go of the things in our lives that are out of our control. I was so nervous but this post helped me tremendously! a. What was the Biblical importance of City Gates? I found the story of Rahab very touching and its boost my faith and trust in God. Hospitable Rahab was hospitable, as she provided lodging for the spies. Later, in Joshua 6, we are told that Rahabs house was located in the city wall, suggesting that she operated her business out of a brothel.While Rahab is the topic of this message she is the perfect picture of how Gods grace can change a life forever. Who was Rahab in the Bible? Rahab is a harlot or prostitute living in Jericho, a Canaanite city. containerEl: '#fd-form-5e128eefed5f9800263d7fc0' Are you ready to dig in? She refused to nurture those things anymore. God still uses those who have reverent fear of Him. It will give you a glimpse into what life may have been like for those first families who had to settle the land while the army remained on the move. The gospel that Jesus, those before Him, and the disciples after Him taught is a gospel of repentance., Read More 6 Examples of True Repentance in the BibleContinue. Rahab was an innkeeper who, sadly, found other ways of bringing in revenue. Scripture doesnt say explicitly, but I think the arrival of these spies was an answer to Rahabs prayers. This is one of my favorite chapters to work through in the Rahab Bible Study (find it here!). The events recorded in Esther are celebrated each year with a holiday called Purim. The people of Jericho were terrified of the Israelites, and they barricaded themselves inside the city walls. She wouldnt have made it into the lineage of Christ. Scholars disagree on whether it was 1406 BC or 1250 BC. Rahabs profession may have been seen as shameful by some, but she is still remembered as a heroic figure in biblical history. This raises an important question: did Rahab have any family in Jericho? Rahab's Risk This is one of the acts for which Rahab is immortalized. Either way, it is clear that Rahab was involved in prostitution. Your email address will not be published. In addition to the hurdle of finding actual work, Rahab would also have to find enough favor with the Israelite people to be allowed to dwell among them. Dianas additional published works include a collection of poetry,Wings of the Wind; an Easter cantata, Glorious, written with a musical collaborator and available on Sheet Music Plus; and contributions to various magazines and compilations. It took a lot of faith to acknowledge that the Hebrew God was greater than any of the gods of Jericho. On the contrary, dogs bob their head up and down when chasing prey. Required fields are marked *. There were whispers that they had been promised the land of Canaan. How does Rahabs story foreshadow the gift of the gospel. Here's quick list of some fun facts about Rahab Villacres's birthday you must know including detailed age calculation, western astrology, roman numeral, birthstone and birth flower. Joshua knew that he needed divine intervention to defeat Jericho, so he asked God for guidance. If she did not have any family in Jericho, it is unlikely that she would have put herself in such danger. What will happen to Rahab after the lecherous king poisons her husband? [23] While they are hibernating, bears do not urinate. From the line of Rahab came the Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world, our God and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. One of God's good girls. The biblical account of the fall of Jericho describes a miraculous event in which the walls of the city came tumbling down after Joshua and the Israelites marched around them for seven days. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Hydra - an aquatic creature is the only living creature that never die. What if she was actually the descendant of Joseph, a member of the Ephraimite tribe? Rahab Villacres was born on Monday, 71 st day / 11 th week of 1996; And so if you ask me, "How could God possibly use me? Rahab the prostitute knew her only chance for survival was to ask the spies to protect her. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with the study Gloria! Rahabs example of abandon reminds us that there are many things we are given in life that we are not meant to hold onto. Here's a cool video that will provide you with more language facts about the weirdest languages in the world. Greenland is the world's largest island. Christian Truth. Judges would sit at the city gate to hear cases and render verdicts (Deuteronomy 21:19, Ruth 4:1-2, Psalm 69:12). Or remain where they were and trust in the security of the city walls and the strength of their army. This left him an orphan, as his mother had passed when . A terrific study does it ever say how did she become a harlot in the first place. The cool thing about encountering God is that the identity we have in Him transcends the broken person we were before Him. pic.twitter.com/X8oPHr9usC. Here are a few highlights. She had to decide what she believed about God. Simply the best collection of interesting facts, weird facts and useless facts. Rahab was an innkeeper. In the Old Testament, they are seemingly unrelated. 101 Fun Facts 1. Obedient Rahab was obedient to Gods commands, even when it put her in danger. A Rahab Bible Study: A vivid, scripture-based, unfiltered study of the Rahab Bible story and its connection to the love of God and grace of the gospel. Rahabs name is most likely derived from the Hebrew word (rb), meaning wide It may also be related to the Arabic word (raaba), meaning to be merciful. Thus, she and her family were saved. Whenever the Army of Israel entered Canaan, Rahab acted according to a prearranged plan and hung out a scarlet cord from the window of her establishment. What if Rahab the harlot wasnt a Canaanite? For many of us, our identity is our hang-up. When she was bargaining with the spies for her life, she wasnt selfish about it. Part of me wonders how long she had been questioning the legitimacy of the idols and false gods her people worshiped; of which there were many. As the Israelites prepare to invade the city of Jericho, Joshua sends two spies to gather intelligence. 95 Fun Facts That Will Amaze You By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer Published August 19, 2020 American flags left on the moon will eventually get bleached white by the sun. Rahabs livelihood was her security. Had two sons who were wicked, so the Lord put them to death. I received an advanced readers copy from the publishers through Celebrate Lit; a positive review was not required. 3. Instead of occupying the land as instructed, they convinced themselves they werent strong enough and opted to return to Egypt; the land God had just freed them from (see Numbers chapters 13 & 14). History First, Rahab is described as a prostitute. It is possible that she was forced into this profession due to poverty or other circumstances. Faith accepts that God rewards those who pursue a relationship with Him. I loved this! Judah married a Canaanite woman named Shua. The more common introduction (the reason people are shocked that shed have the honor of being in the lineage of Jesus): This leads us to Rahabs real shining moment; The Story of Rahab and the Spies at Jericho, as given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. The Great Wall of China is not actually visible from space. She is also the author ofHalloween: Harmless Fun or Risky Business? Its been fascinating to read through different portions of it! Still, the people of Jericho may have felt as if they could hide behind their walls. Read More 5 Ways to Let Go and Let God Handle ItContinue. 7. This woman, Rahab, was like that relative in the family tree that we prefer to not talk about or to keep in the shadows. Rahab lived in Jericho, and by her allying herself with God's people she was laying her life on the line. Rahabs story is a great example of the power of faith and obedience. In the 1960s, the CIA tried to spy on the Kremlin and Russian embassies by turning cats into listening devices. The other three are Tamar, Ruth, and Bathsheba. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Prostitution was probably not Rahab's first choice for a profession. From her, we learn that even though Jericho was a sinful city, there were still people there who were willing to turn from their evil ways and follow God. Second, Rahab specifically mentions her father and mother in her conversation with the spies. Rahab recognized the God of Israel. Can you imagine being that girl? The one who was known for sleeping around? She is popularly known as the prostitute who helped the Israelite spies. Rahab chose to have faith that God existed and that He was faithful to deliver the land He had promised to His people. What a story! The Book of Joshua marks the moment and describes the first movements of the Conquest: And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, Go, view the land, especially Jericho. And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there (Joshua 2:1). This page may contain affiliate links. Why? The first time is mentioned in Joshua 2:4-7 when soldiers came to her door demanding she brings the spies to them. While there are many theories about Rahabs origins, the most likely explanation is that she was a native of Jericho. Rahab found God, ran to Him, and didn't let ANYTHING keep her back. For this reason, they were often adorned with symbols of strength and protection, such as lions or dragons. Old Glory was designed by a high school student. This is the perspective taken in Rahab Woman of Jericho and its an interesting one. He was educated in the palace of Pharaoh and married Zipporah the daughter . Courageous Rahab was courageous, as she hid the spies and lied to the kings soldiers. And she did it in a moment. In this article were going to explore the real condition of the land of Canaan in Rahabs day; before it transitioned to the promised land. Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, Go, view the land, especially Jericho., So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. Rahab (or Rachab) the wife of Salmon, is mentioned in the genealogy in Matthew 1:5. These include balance, temperature, pain and time as well as internal senses for suffocation, thirst, and fullness. His father, Giovanni Santi, was a court painter in Raphael's hometown. They chase while keeping their head level. Rahab and her family were saved from destruction when the Israelites conquered Jericho. And that boy would one day marry a widow woman by the name of Ruth (Ruth 4:5, 10). The program, called Acoustic Kitty, involved surgically implanting batteries, microphones and antennae inside cats. But reading your article I find that there are some ADDITIONAL things I needed to know. Read More The Land of Canaan In the BibleContinue, This content may contain affiliate links. Her bravery saved the lives of the Israelite spies and ultimately led to the fall of Jericho. Deuteronomy 9:5. Fact: Dead skin cells are a main ingredient in household dust Here's an interesting science fact for you: According to researchers at Imperial College London, humans shed around 200 million skin. #purposedbook Click To Tweet, For we have 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 the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, who you utterly destroyed. 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Things that Will Keep Me from Coming Back to Your Church, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 10 Things You Should Know about the Intermediate State of Death, 'You Raise Me Up' Duet Earns A Standing Ovation From The Judges, 7 Things I Would Do Differently if I Were Raising My Children Again. 4. The story of Rahab reminds us that faith doesnt always make sense (in my experience, it never does). Even though the people disobeyed Him, He still had mercy on them and allowed them to enter the Promised Land. And the words He speaks never return void. Covenants gives us a promise to hold onto and look forward to. But she would enter without Moses for he was dead. Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof and said to the men: I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. She also bargained for her family. Banana milkshake is the perfect cure for hangover. But these are barren lands with plants that have adapted to freezing cold winters and harsh soil conditions. Joshua 2:1-24 #AllinAugust pic.twitter.com/QdFkTkkfYX. In the 19th century, experts warned women about a disease called bicycle face, which meant getting stuck with the awkward faces they made while biking. This surprises a lot of people because Rahabs life wasnt a pretty one, but it certainly belongs. She received her B.A. His most recent book is a second edition release: Hit by Friendly Fire: What to do when Another Believer Hurts You(Resource Publications, 2022). Im sure that someone who had a reputation as a prostitute would have had difficulties shaking off the labels placed on her by society. Strange but true, the official flag of the United States was designed by Robert G. Heft in 1958 while Heft was a junior in high school. In this short verse, we learn a few things about God and faith: Rahab displayed all of those characteristics. When they came back and gave an evil report, He was just in His punishment of them. The prostitute. Trusts in God. 2. Covenants inspire hope. So He tells the Israelites in Deuteronomy 9:5, It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Here are some interesting facts about the Tundra: The tundra biome of the Arctic region extends all the way from the North Pole to the coniferous forests in the region of Taiga. But the lesson I want us to focus on today is the story of Rahab. All your hair is dead. Rahab married Salmon and had a son named Boaz. And the Bible does a good job of showing us what to do but with so many male leads its sometimes hard to visualize what a woman who pleases God looks like. The Law of Moses states without ambiguity: 'No Ammonite or Moabite shall be admitted to the assembly of . When we put our trust in God, He will always keep His promises. These colors are historically an important symbol of France.