Joshua 2:14 NIV
[14] “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.”
Week 2 of the “Daughters of Grace” devotional book, by Kristin Schmucker, had me reading about Leah (Jacob’s 1st wife, who is also Rachel’s sister), the two Hebrew midwives (who defied Pharaoh’s decree to kill Hebrew babies), the mothers of Moses (Jochebed and Pharaoh’s daughter), Rahab (the prostitute) and Deborah (the judge).
Stories about 7 more women in the Bible whose lives were transformed by the grace of God!
Rahab’s story is the one that stood out for me, and it was from this week’s readings that I learned of her part in the genealogy of Jesus – Matthew chapter 1 verse 5. God is good always 🙏
Matthew 1:5 NIV
[5] Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse
Here is the devotional about Rahab from the book: it’s summarised so well, thought to share it. Rahab’s story can be found in Joshua chapters 2 & 6; it blessed and inspired me – I hope it does the same for you.
Rahab is another unlikely heroine of Scripture. We are introduced to her as Rahab the prostitute, but her faith would make her so much more than a woman defined only by her sin. She would be a woman defined by grace and redemption.
God used her to hide the two Hebrew spies as they came into the city of Jericho from the wicked king. Joshua 2:11 shows us her daring proclamation of faith in the one true God as she went against everything her people stood for. Rahab had heard about the God of Israel and all that He had done to rescue His people, and she placed her faith in God alone. God’s steadfast love would be poured out on Rahab and her whole family. His magnificent grace and love would be so great to her that she would not even know its full extent during her life.Just as God had said, the city was destroyed; but one woman and her family were rescued. Rahab was saved because of her great faith.
Kristin Schmucker, Daughters of Grace
Rahab is mentioned several other places in Scripture. She is commended for her faith in James 2:25 and Hebrews 11:31, and she is honored as a woman who feared the Lord more than she feared men. But it is her position in the genealogy of Jesus that is such a beautiful picture of redemption (Matthew 1:5). God took a woman who was an outcast of society and made her an important part of the family tree of the Messiah.
Rahab is a picture of the extravagant grace of our Savior. Rahab was a woman despised even by her own wicked culture, and yet when she placed her faith in the one true God, her life and destiny were transformed. She is remembered now as a woman of great faith. She is defined by her Savior and not by her sin. God uses women who are flawed but who will simply place their faith in Him. We are no longer defined by our sin; instead, we are defined by the grace and redemption that is found in God alone. God used Rahab, and He will certainly use you.
What an amazing story of God’s redemptive grace. God will use you, flaws and all, for His purpose – if you believe and trust in Him. You may not know in your lifetime what that purpose is, only God knows. And like Rahab, your story may inspire and bless someone else in generations to come. Don’t lose hope.
Psalms 62:8 NIV
[8] Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
To God be the glory always 🙏❤️
Idau Hahine 