How many persons would have thought to hide someone under stalks of flax (Joshua 2:6)? Rahab has special significance for Christians: she is among the four women listed in Matthew's gospel as ancestors of Jesus of Nazareth. to move into the home of a harlot in order to save their lives. Rahab is the ever-present message of God to you: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. How can she save her family from the invading Israelites? But as hard as it is to have faith, there are rewards in the end. And as soon as we heard, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the, This is one of my favorite chapters to work through in the Rahab Bible Study, 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. 46 Interesting Facts You Probably don't Know. Rahab is mentioned in both the Old Testament and New Testament, and her story is an example of Gods grace and redemption. Rahab (or Rachab) the wife of Salmon, is mentioned in the genealogy in Matthew 1:5. Radames fabricates a story to tell Jerichos king, but Hammurabi doesnt believe itand he has his eye on the beautiful Rahab. Rahab, the woman with whom the spies were staying, protected them by hiding them on her roof. She is popularly known as the prostitute who helped the Israelite spies. Canaan (where Jericho was located) was a polytheistic land. In the Old Testament, they are seemingly unrelated. Rahab is a Canaanite prostitute who becomes faithful to the God of Israel, hiding two Israelite spies when the king of Jericho sends men to capture them. One of the more disturbing yet interesting fun facts: All the hair on your head is dead, except for the follicles. Attention, class! Are you ready to dig deep into the story of Rahab? 4. Moses had passed and appointed Joshua as the new leader of Israel and with Gods blessing and instruction the Israelites were again preparing to enter Canaan (the Promised Land), starting with Jericho. She identified the spies for what they were, hid them, and had a convincing story ready with which to deceive the king's men. Rahab helped the spies escape over the city wall with the aid of a crimson cord lowered through her window, but not before the spies told her that she needed to hang that same scarlet cord in her window when they invaded. But why is she included in the lineage of Jesus? In fact, you lose some every day without noticing. 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. It may very well have been that Rahab was "a religious prostitute in pagan practices. After the fall of Jericho, the Israelites went on to conquer the rest of Canaan. And that boy would one day marry a widow woman by the name of Ruth (Ruth 4:5, 10). window.fd('form', { Santi painted altarpieces and portraits for the court of Urbino, but died when Raphael was 11 years old. Rahab found God, ran to Him, and didn't let ANYTHING keep her back. He was 500 years old when he had his three sons. In addition to serving as a physical barrier, the gates also served as a symbolic barrier between the inside and outside of the city. Lined up, all of the planets in the solar system could fit between the Earth and the moon. The scarlet cord is a reminder that even those who are considered sinners can be forgiven and have a place in Gods kingdom. The story of Rahab is found in the Old Testament book of Joshua. Because she was ready for the real deal. Belarusian. This applies to other affiliate links on this website as well. It describes a toxic one, or more relate-ably a toxic person. This may explain why the Israelites were able to destroy the wall by marching around it and making a loud noise. As Christians, we are taught that we should live lives that please God. 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Baby flamingos are born grey, not pink. Rahab is listed in the genealogy of Jesus. Among the many stories that are interwoven in that wonderful section of the Bible, the woman of the scarlet cord takes her honored place. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city walls seven times, accompanied by the priests blowing their trumpets. Cats have an amazing way of catching their prey. Either way, it is clear that Rahab was involved in prostitution. First, Rahab demonstrates the power of faith. However, God is obviously at work. The Wall of Jericho was a fortified wall that surrounded the ancient city of Jericho. God knew it because God knew her better than she knew herself. Have We Turned Our Favorite Preachers and Teachers into Idols? Many scholars refer to it when theyre looking for cultural context, changes in Hebrew OT/NT law, or when they come across what seems to be a contradiction within scripture. This act of bravery led to Rahab and her family being spared when Jericho was destroyed. Rahab is praised for her faith in Hebrews 11:31. The word translated as harlot or prostitute in our English Bibles is the Hebrew word znh (pronounced zaw-naw). When we abandon them we are essentially starving them; no longer allowing them to feast on the things that sustain them. Humans share 50% of their DNA with bananas. Youll come to understand why as we continue to study through her story, which you can find in the book of Joshua. I found the story of Rahab very touching and its boost my faith and trust in God. But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho--and she lives among the Israelites to this day. 80 Interesting Facts About Life That Will Surprise You Human Body Facts. #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. Rahab hid the Israelite spies and helped them escape. He is the ultimate judge of character, and He can redeem even the most unlikely people for His purposes. 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., Leaving Behind Her Livelihood and Citizenship. Gods with you every step of the way! 4. But the lesson I want us to focus on today is the story of Rahab. As Rahab lived in the wilderness among the Israelites, she had to wrestle with this question. We take those $ and give them to developing our Children's Programs. Im sure that someone who had a reputation as a prostitute would have had difficulties shaking off the labels placed on her by society. Second, this story teaches us that God is a God of justice. We were looking for it because we liked it so much. 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. 175 Random Facts So Interesting You'll Say, "OMG!" These fun facts about everything from the cosmos to the inner workings of your body will blow your mind. They chase while keeping their head level. 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, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Joshua 2:8-11. When the Israelites come to Jericho to conquer the city, Rahab hides the Israelite spies and helps them to escape. While there are many theories about Rahabs origins, the most likely explanation is that she was a native of Jericho. The spies are taken in by a woman named Rahab, who hides them from the authorities and helps them escape. She was a prostitute who became a believer and played a key role in the Israelite conquest of Jericho. A woman who risks her own life to save others. The answer can be found in Rahabs character. This is a misunderstanding of Gods grace. Rahab is the first Gentile recorded in the Bible as having converted to Judaism. It took a lot of faith to acknowledge that the Hebrew God was greater than any of the gods of Jericho. 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. (from here on out well refer to it as the Promised Land). I doubt it. 9. 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). Im not sure how that happened but Im glad you both were searching and found the right verse! She had grown up in Jericho (according to the Midrash she had been there for nearly 40 years, possibly more). The sun makes up more than 99% of the mass in our solar system. Ive been digging on Rahab and had questions and you addresses many of them. However, one woman, Rahab, was spared because she had helped the Israelite spies who had come to reconnaissance the city before their conquest. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Xhosa. This is the type of commitment we were called to have as women following Jesus. "By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of the disobedient, because she welcomed the spies in peace." HEBREWS 11:31 Background After 40 years of struggle, Israel stood poised to enter the Promised Land. Rahab. In return, the spies make a vow to protect Rahab and her family when they invade Jericho. Where in The Book of Judges is the account of Rahab Found? Generous Rahab was generous, as she gave her own Jericho house to the spies. That's right. But instead, she protected them and helped them escape. 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. But the Hebrew word, zn, is interpreted in the Septuagint as prn. 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. These include balance, temperature, pain and time as well as internal senses for suffocation, thirst, and fullness. So glad we could answer some of those questions for you! Melting ice and icebergs make frizzing noise called "bergy selter". It is also worth noting that Rahabs name is not listed among the other Canaanite women who were banished from Jericho, which suggests that she was already living there when the Israelites arrived. 6. Who loves her family. On the contrary, dogs bob their head up and down when chasing prey. Rahabs example of abandon reminds us that there are many things we are given in life that we are not meant to hold onto. Strawberries contain more vitamin C than oranges. I can forget my past and move forward in God. 1. The others are Ruth, Tamar and Bathsheba. A terrific study does it ever say how did she become a harlot in the first place. The English language is spoken in more than 100 countries around the world. 1. The spies disobeyed God by not going into the land when He told them to, and they were punished for it. That note on having kids, I thought the same too but then God brought to remembrance the many women that he blessed with children in old age. Why? Righteous Rahab was righteous, as evidenced by her later conversion to faith in God. This was SO enlightening! This tells me that God allotted each of us a measure of faith. This beautiful new land was dangerous. Joshua 2:1-24 #AllinAugust pic.twitter.com/QdFkTkkfYX. The Bible calls her Rahab the prostitute because that was her defining trait. Father / Grandfather / Minister / Missionary / Deacon / Elder / Author / This surprises a lot of people because Rahabs life wasnt a pretty one, but it certainly belongs. Who came to rescue the earth from God's destruction? Rahab Villacres was born on Monday, 71 st day / 11 th week of 1996; Christian Truth. The first time is mentioned in Joshua 2:4-7 when soldiers came to her door demanding she brings the spies to them. Download our free Rahab Bible Study pdf worksheets and join us! Her only other option would be to seek out another people group and cling to them. This was in keeping with Gods command that all the inhabitants of Canaan be destroyed. 3. Rahab lived in Jericho, and by her allying herself with God's people she was laying her life on the line. Find a digital copy of the Rahab study here. She was rewarded for her kindness and ultimately married Joshua, taking her place in the ranks of righteous converts.. Who Was Rahab? Rahab was an innkeeper who, sadly, found other ways of bringing in revenue. In addition to founding three churches, and the call as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, Dr. Milton is a retired Army Chaplain (Colonel). She asked for what she wanted knowing the Hebrew spies had no reason to give it to her. And it highlights the one thing that is life with God. 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. It means not fighting in our own physical strength but instead; trusting and leaning into Gods might. What if she was actually the descendant of Joseph, a member of the Ephraimite tribe? The Wall of Jericho is an important archaeological site, and it provides insight into the history and culture of ancient Jericho. (We'll wait while you go get that globe.) Weve talked about it as a verb but there is one more definition I want to bring into this conversation before we come to an end. When the Israelites were about to invade Jericho, Rahab helped two spies escape from the city and hid them from the authorities. 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. By her own admission, the Hebrew God had already given the Israelites the city of Jericho. We first meet Rahab in Joshua chapter 2. Welcome to our Family. She KNEW the life she had been living was a lie and she was desperate to find the truth. The name of the French flag is actually very simple, it means "3 colors". 66. So thankful faith is available for all of us! 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. Article Images Copyright , The Scarlet Cord: Rahab's Bible Story & Our Story, 10 Reasons Why the Trial of Jesus Was Illegal. 7. He and his wife, Mae, reside in Western North Carolina. Esther is one of only two books in the Bible named after a woman. What did it take to convince her entire family they would be better off living in a whorehouse? Her circumstances are unknown, but her family may have experienced brokenness that deeply affected her. When something is abandoned it is no longer receiving the nurture it needs to grow. She is one of the prominent figures in the Christian tradition. 5. Let's dive into the fun world of interesting facts and see what we can learn about. Forgive my blunt language but when it all boiled down to it, that was the choice Rahabs family had to make: To save her familys lives, Rahab managed to convince her whole family two things: The story of Rahab is about one womans courage and her actions that saved her entire family. This content may contain affiliate links. She trusted that God would see beyond what everyone else saw and choose to save her over all the people in Jericho. 101 Fun Facts 1. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). There are a few pieces of evidence that suggest she did. Rahab is mentioned in the New Testament in the Letter of James and in the book of Hebrews. Rahab is considered to be a righteous woman in Scripture, And todays #Biblical #Womanhood example is #Rahab pic.twitter.com/q7hBfXIRWl, The Book of Judges does not mention Rahab by name, but she is likely the harlot who dwelled in Jericho mentioned in Judges 2:1.[9]. As a result, Rahab became an important part of biblical history, and her story is a reminder of the power of faith. Pretty much everyone is interested in space, so this is always a good fact to . Its also a misunderstanding of the actual gospel message. (noun): abandon complete lack of inhibition or restraint. Who was Rahab in the Bible? The cool thing about encountering God is that the identity we have in Him transcends the broken person we were before Him. In Rahabs case, it wasnt any of those things. Trusts in God. If she did not have any family in Jericho, it is unlikely that she would have put herself in such danger. 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 (Joshua 2:9 NIV). Whats amazing about Rahab is that she didnt let those thoughts keep her from running to God. Ad revenue is generated off of page views. I was so nervous but this post helped me tremendously! Image credits: Brian Whipple. Even without her intervention, their victory was sure. 2. Thats what I intend to deliver and hope youll find in this Rahab Bible study. The fact that Rahab was willing to risk her life to help the Israelites shows that she had faith in their God. Definitely look into the Midrash! Keep moving forward! A shrimp's heart is located in its head. So while Rahab is not as well-known as some other biblical figures, she played a key role in Gods plan for redemption. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way (James 2:25)? She Was "Declared Righteous by Works". It portrays a lack of commitment or diligence; sometimes to a task and other times towards a person or relationship. Some biblical scholars maintain that Rahab, the woman who hid Joshuas two spies, was a harlot or prostitute. It was beautiful. 2. 6. And she did it in a moment. Thanks for sharing your experience with me , I used to think Rahab was only a prostitute and she wanted to sleep with the Christian spies. So if youre feeling like youre not good enough or youve made too many mistakes, remember Rahabs story and know that there is always hope with God. When they came back and gave an evil report, He was just in His punishment of them. Run your raceIn Rahab Woman of Jericho, the main character had to resist giving in to the expectation of others, including her family. In this short verse, we learn a few things about God and faith: Rahab displayed all of those characteristics. The city was well fortified and had high walls, so the Israelites could not just march in and take it. a. Rahab the prostitute knew her only chance for survival was to ask the spies to protect her. The three wealthiest families in the world have more assets than the combined wealth of the forty-eight poorest nations. Take the word of a prostitute and spend an indeterminate time living in her house waiting for the Israelites to attack. Instead, they had to wait for God to give them victory. 3 Profound Reasons Idolatry is a Sin, 23 Encouraging Bible Verses About Endurance, Consider Your Ways: 3 Simple Tips for Introspection, 4 Simple Ways to Share the Faith With Your Family. Scripture doesnt say explicitly, but I think the arrival of these spies was an answer to Rahabs prayers. From the line of Rahab came the Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world, our God and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. Woman of Faith Faith is the opposite of fear. Then they heard about the kings of Sihon and Og who were obliterated in battle (Numbers 21:21-26, 32-35). Image credit: BublikHaus/Shutterstock. Partly because of her reputation as a prostitute but also because of the restraints put on women in those times. This story highlights Rahabs faith, as she endangered her own life to help the Israelites. Rahab occupies an interesting place in the mind and heart of the modern church. Below is a list of common discussion questions for the story of Rahab and Joshua 2 Bible study questions. Book: Rahab, Woman of JerichoAuthor: Diana Wallis TaylorGenre: Biblical FictionPublisher: Whitaker House Publication Date: August 4, 2020Print Length: 234 pages. Rahab hid the Israelite spies before they crossed the Jordan River. Why do women seem to have a small role in the Bible? Hydra - an aquatic creature is the only living creature that never die. pic.twitter.com/X8oPHr9usC. His name means "lofty, exalted, or high mountain." There is no information about his birth or his early years. 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. God parted the waters of the Jordan River for themwill He likewise provide miracles and blessings to her Ephraimite clan if they can rejoin their people? The City Gates was extremely important in the ancient world for both security and symbolic reasons. How could it be that Rahab the prostitute became Rahab, the mother of Boaz? 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. She lived in a totally corrupt society that engaged in every kind of sexual perversion and idol worship which included child sacrifice. An old man named Noah, who was really old. The Rahab story, shows faith triumphing over the King of the Amorites by her faith. They were also places of judgment. 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. Still, the people of Jericho may have felt as if they could hide behind their walls. Know yourselfwhat if Rahab hadnt accepted that she couldnt save herself from the invading army? He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit. )She was a "harlot", and probably combined the trade of . 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. I imagine that being a harlot in Jericho was a life that came with its own stigma. However debaucherous, brothers, bars, and red light districts have often functioned as infamous meetings placed for military espionage. Did you know that Rahab is one of the most celebrated women in the Bible? Moses was the youngest among the three children and he was the grandson of Kohath and great grandson of Levi. With no available Jewish men in her town, she marries Radames, a young Egyptian officer who is the new governor of Jericho. But there was no hanky-panky between Rahab and the spies, she had been able to see through their disguise and knew there was a greater force at work. It must have been an interesting time to be alive because though there would have been fear, a lot of persons would have stubbornly stuck to their old ways. Image credits: Adam Brill. Judah married a Canaanite woman named Shua. As an Amazon affiliate I earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Archi. You can keep digging and learning about Rahab and how the event of her life point to the hope of the gospel in the full Rahab Bible Study book! Get our free Rahab Bible Study pdf worksheets! 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. Gigi Hadid gets candid about parenting Khai. Together, Rahab and Ruth became part of the lineage of King David and ultimately of Jesus Christ. Thus, she and her family were saved. Covenants gives us a promise to hold onto and look forward to. This is one of my favorite chapters to work through in the Rahab Bible Study (find it here!).
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