In the Old Testament, they appear to be unconnected to one another. Rahab and her family that was also spared then lived amongst the Israelites and she became an ancestor of Boaz and thus also because of her fear of God became the distant great grandmother of Jesus. Who was Rahab in the Bible? - Bible Questions Answered These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. It made me realise how ironic it is that when we pray we ask to be like a Deborah a Rachel a hannah but never a Rahab. As a harlot, she is compared to the whore of Babylon, and she appears with Blakes character ofTirzah, who is seen as a symbol of materialism, false religion, and fallen sexuality in Blakes work. One unfortunate soul made the decision to keep a few items for himself. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. And sex. The grace of a Canaanite prostitute saved the Israelite spies by the name of Rahab the Harlot. Perhaps you can nod your head in agreement that God can save anybody who has a criminal record, but heres where you get stuck: believing that God can also utilize everyone who has a criminal record. In the name of Jesus, I extend an invitation to you to come and be forgiven. Answer In the book of Joshua, we are introduced to one of the most thought-provoking and astonishing heroines of the Old Testament. Jesus's Grandmothers - Bethlehem College and Seminary Unfortunately for them, this would be an inconvenient location to seek refuge. She is featured in the book of Ruth, even though many Bible scholars claim Boaz or even Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, are the lead characters of that story. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with Gods people and also members of his household. (Eph 2:19). on: March 31, 2015 A Beginning That Nobody Reads To know a person, it is not necessary to know their grandmothers. But if you inform anybody about this business of ours, then we will be released from the pledge that you have forced us to take. God bless you ma for all you do for the edification of the body of Christ. He writes, David begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Bathsheba committed adultery with King David, as recorded in 2 Samuel 11. Published here by permission of Keep Believing Ministries. Glory to the Most High God. Pursue them as swiftly as you can, since you will overcome them. The stalks of flax that she had lined out in a neat row on the roof, however, were used to conceal them when she carried them up to the top. God sent them to her in order for her to assist them and, as a result, receive righteousness from God in the process. Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab ( Matthew 1:5 ). Let me suggest a few from my own whispers: shame, regret, condemnation, disqualification. James 2:25, 1881 Westcott-Hort New Testament, Hebrews 11:31, 1881 Westcott-Hort New Testament, Lyons, William L. James 2:25, 1881 Westcott-Hort New Testament, Lyons, William L. (July 2008). Ruth followed Naomis instructions and ultimately found a husband in Boaz. Yet an orthodox Jew would likely have questioned both why God allowed her to be the grandmother of King David and why she would be included in a genealogy. Rahabs life is a Cinderella story for the ages, and her story is told here. We're not sure what happened afterwards, but we're assuming she lived out her days as a G-d fearing, Jewish prostitute. Who Is Rehab the Harlot? Updated on September 05, 2019 Of all the heroes in the Bible, Ruth stands out for her virtues of humility and kindness. What a transformation must have taken place in her life for her to be listed in this lineage. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. A Harlot, a Canaanite and a liar. Sordid story. Thank you so much! Rahab later became the wife of Salmon, the great-great-grandmother of King David, and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. It is reflected in the story of Ananias and Sapphira, which is found in the Acts of the Apostles (chapter 5), who were the first two people to die after Pentecost as a result of their betrayal in taking from what had been entrusted to the Lord. Who are the four women in Jesus Family Tree? Past failure does not exclude future praise, honor, and approval by Christ. Thanks for sharing this with me Im ready to learn more with you. Book of Joshua, Vol. I was fascinated with Rahab and determined to include this amazing woman in my lesson as more than just a few passing verses. So great a Redeemer! Rahab - Wikipedia The moment they set out on their journey, Ruth makes a confession of faith that has become legendary as a model of faith for Jews and Christians alike: Wherever you lead me, I will follow; wherever you rest, I will rest; your people shall be mine, and your God my God (Ruth 1:16). Tamar was the wife of Judahs eldest son, Er. Allow me to beg your forgiveness because of three things: the rope, the window, and the wall. (Zevahim 116a-b of the Babylonian Talmud). Rahab - Hidden Treasure Bible Studies He was the son of Nahshon, married Rachab of Matthew 1:5 (possibly Rahab, of Jericho), and Boaz (or Booz) was their son. Apr 01, 2019 "Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab" ( Matthew 1:5 ). They certainly did not mention women of questionable character. I wonder what whispers might be keeping you from letting God use you mightily? If you have a checkered past, God is not finished with you, either. The first fight to win the Promised Land was won by God via Rahab, who not only saved the spies, but also saved her family in the process. Rahab the harlot is the name by which she is nearly invariably referred to in the Bible. (See also John 8:34-36.) Hes already made the first move. Sarah, Abrahams wife and the mother of Isaac, is the only other woman named in the book of Genesis. Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth were all mentioned by name. Instead, faith may often be found in the most unexpected locations, like the home of a Canaanite whore, which is a testament to its power. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This FREE study walks chronologically through all 4 gospels covering Jesus life, death & resurrection. Joshua 6:25 . Policy Regarding Personal Information The information on this page was last updated on January 4, 2022. (1 John 1:19), Our hopelessness? The story of Tamar is found in Genesis 38. 1 Peter 1:3 (New International Version) What are our shackles? Im curious as to what whispers youre hearing that are blocking you from allowing God to utilize you powerfully? They got the whole family out and gave them a place outside the camp of Israel. (Joshua 6:23). This extremely theological composition weaves the new, represented by Jesus. All rights reserved. Ancient Words: The Spirit of Jesus, Rahab the Defender of Israel It is not a vain-glorious one, as those of great men often are. Isaiah 43:18 Remember ye not the former things neither consider the things of old 19Behold I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know it? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. So, she dressed like a harlot and waited until he came by and then she agreed to have sexual relations with him for a certain price. Matthew does not mention her by name. Burton, Anne, Pearl in the Sand(2010), ISBN 978-0-8024-5881-0, Pearl in the Sand(2010). She was the wife of another. Much Blessings. | Theme by SuperbThemes.Com. Many first-time Bible readers are surprised to learn that the New Testament begins with a genealogy ( Matthew 1:1-16 ), Jesus family tree. Who were the Grandmothers of Jesus? - FilCatholic | Spreading the Word As we continue to examine the question, Jesus: Who Do You Think You Are?, David M. Neuhaus SJ wonders what we might learn from these ladies and from the context in which their tales are delivered. The spies promised to protect Rahab and gave her a scarlet cord to hang from her window. Fear? They had a son named Obed, bringing great joy to Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. All Rights Reserved. Perhaps such options were available yesterday. She challenges the king by safeguarding the spies, and then she surprises us even more by professing her faith: The Lord your God is really God in heaven above and on earth below. (Deuteronomy 6:45) (Joshua 2:11). Joshua, the leader of the Jews, decided to take the city of Jericho, and sent a couple of spies to investigate the situation. And lastly, Rahabs faith enabled her to walk aside from her own culture, people, and religious beliefs in favor of those of God. We should be less quick to judge those who appear to be outsiders as we meditate on these two surprising women of faith during this Advent season, both of whom were unexpected radiant lights in the genealogy. Our past is never good enough to earn Gods salvation nor shocking enough to keep us from it. It is possible that the narrative of Rahab will give an explanation for how an indigenous Canaanite tribe became a member of Israel in spite of the Deuteronomistic commandment to slay all Canaanites and not to intermarry with them (Deuteronomy 18:15). The story of Tamar is found in Genesis 38. The Genealogy of Jesus According to His Great - Dr. Claude Mariottini Christmas underscores that our lives have meaning. Her given name, broad as a road, alluded to her vocation as a whore, which was done with a certain amount of crass humour. He could have written, Salmon begot Boaz, Boaz begot Obed. Such helpful, rich content! 4 Who is the grandmother of Jesus in the Bible? I decided to Google her to see what the Judeo / Christian community had to say. At Christmastime, most people skip the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. What These Four Women Tell Us about Christmas. You can find the first two devotions in the series here. Finally, if we accept Christ as our Savior, our pasts become irrelevant. P.O. Hannah MacFarlanes novel The Scarlet Cord (2014, ISBN: 9781940099692) was published in 2014. Go inside the harlots home and fetch the lady and all she possesses out of there, as you have vowed to her, Joshua instructed the two men who had searched out the area. When Jerichos ruler tries to apprehend them, Rahab hides them and then helps them escape through the window, thus saving their lives. Leaving out her name brought added emphasis to Uriahs name. After all, the Bible is considered to be a book of truth. It is included into this page through reference to text from a work now in the public domain:Easton, Matthew George (1897). Another reason might be to highlight the fact that she was not Davids lawful wife. One of the most wonderful things about the Bible is that it gives the whole truth about everyone and everything. . But why would God intentionally call Rahab out in Matthews lineage of Jesus? He redefines us from the way people have defined us due to our past and present mistakes then He repackages us and re-introduces us to the world. Jesus: Who Do You Think You Are? 2. Rahab, Ruth and Boaz As a result, we have heard about how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you were expelled from Egypt, as well as about what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who lived beyond the Jordan River, Sihon and Og, whom you completely defeated. Sex, spies, war, betrayal, murder, prostitutes No wonder the Bible is the best-read book of all time! His latest books are. Rahab - Grow in Faith with Daily Christian Living Articles Subscribe to email for your FREE 7 Days of Hope for Your Shattered Heart. They hook him up with a lot of religious paraphernalia-big sanctuaries, stained glass, beautiful choir, pipe organs, formal prayers, and all the rest. But Er was a wicked man so the Lord killed him (Gen 38:7). Mark Batterson discusses the story of Tamar, the scandalous great-grandmother of Jesus. Taking a look at the biblical ladies (1st ed.). But will a handful of women, many generations apart and distant by several centuries help us to understand the meaning of life? 11:31 (Hebrews 11:31) In addition, she is the final individual to be named in any depth. Most who comment on her suggest that she came to faith and was born again before she married Salmon and that she never played the harlot again. This genealogy is in the Bible to let us know that he had a background a lot like yours and mine. I am truely blessed by this message. She was married to Salmonof the Tribe of Judah and was the mother of Boaz, who was born to them. Rahab's story of faith is only half of the surprise in the Book of Joshua. Jezebel, A Great-Grandmother of Jesus. With the exception of Rahab and her family, the whole city, its structures, and its population were completely annihilated. .and giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to participate in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light, with thanksgiving and gratitude. Rahabs life serves as an example to all sinners who have been rescued by grace. The same grace that Rahab experienced is now available to you. When it comes to Jesus Christ, many people are afraid of him. 11:31) and also a model of good works (James 2:25). Joshua 6:1725. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. Rahabs background was not a hindrance to Gods use of her. The very next woman in the list is only of questionable reputation due to her birth. I must confessed..Im in Awe. Their participation reveals some stunning insights about faith that were previously unknown. Those same readers are even more surprised when Rahab shows up on the list. Naomi decided to go back to Israel, and she said goodbye to her two daughters-in-law. She was a woman of faith. Is there anything good we can say about her? Many first-time Bible readers are surprised to learn that the New Testament begins with a genealogy ( Matthew 1:1-16 ), the lineage of Jesus' family tree. New York: Schocken Books, ISBN 0-8052-4121-3, OCLC49823086, Michael Coogan is a writer who lives in New York City (2009). Required fields are marked *. She was a woman of faith. 2023 Proven Way Lessons from Joshua, Rahab, and Jesus' Family Tree - Blogger The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Rahabs faith will save her as well as her entire family from certain death. Your grief is welcome here. That night, as the two spies were safely hidden on her roof, Rahab made a bold claim and request. 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 Jerichoand she lives among the Israelites to this day. As a substitute, she buried them inside bunches of leaves offlaxon the roof. The Book of Ruth is one of the most beautiful books in the Bible. The Wife of Uriah (Matt 1:6). Before the Israelites cross the Jordan, Joshua sends men to scout out the land. Who was Rahab to Jesus? Once you make a decision, you cannot go back. When Rahab is mentioned in the Bible, she is nearly always referred to as Rahab the harlot, with the exception of Matthews genealogy. I also believe God is already and has been at work with me for quite a time. Night after night, choice after desperate choice had become a life she never intended. Why is Rahab in the Bible so Important? - Encouraging Bible Verses for I am a testimony! He too proved to be an ungodly man, and therefore the Lord killed him also (Gen 38:10). This week in my morning devotions I read about Rahab, again. She was not Jewish, but she did marry a young Jewish man when he and his family were in Moab. Judah then gave his second son, Onan, to be Tamars husband. Those same readers are even more surprised when Rahab shows up on the list. "Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab" (Matthew 1:5). Rahab: Harlot, Liar Ancestor of Jesus? Salmon (Hebrew: almn) or Salmah ( alm, Greek: ) is a person mentioned in genealogies in both the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and in the New Testament. If we are not caught up in the commercialism of Christmas, we know that He is the reason for the season. Somehow, the powers that be in Jericho got whiff of the spies, and sent soldiers to Rahab's house. The soldiers returned with nothing, the spies came back to Joshua. That type of religion is ineffective and non-functional. Reading this article has totally blown my mind. Because of you, as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted, and no one had any more bravery than we did: for the L ORDyour God is God in heaven above and God in the world beneath. The story comes from the Book of Joshua. It proves that our Lord Jesus is of the nation and family out of which the Messiah was to arise. The following are the names of the people: 4.Jechoniah5.Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John 6.Mary and Joseph are a couple. GIVE TODAY to help pastors around the world share Christ. All intellectual property rights are retained. Rahab was no longer seen as an impure prostitute, but rather as a woman deserving of grace to be counted among those descended from our Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Who was the first to cross the Red Sea? Rahabs house, a brothel located at the city gate, served as a house of they had gone for protection. After everything has been said and done, Rahab, the prostitute from the Canaanite city of Jericho, is notable for her strong faith and for her position in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. What is it that your past is whispering to you? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. When they take a look around at all the trappings, they find it all extremely daunting. She was a woman with strong religious convictions. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Who is the grandmother of Jesus in the Bible? When scripture mentions Rahab, shes almost always called Rahab the harlot except in Matthews genealogy. A different spelling of the name, Rachab (as transliterated in the King James translation of the Greek ) is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew as one of the ancestors of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). In bioethical discussions about death and its options . Thank u Jesus for saving my life, I am leading a small bible study Women of the bible, I am so blessed I stumbled upon this,it really helped by giving me new insight.Thank you so much.Blessings to you.. Subscribe to get yours free! God wished to honor Uriah in the family tree. Possibly, Rahab comes from a position of deep brokenness or adolescent traumatic experience. I understand more so how God uses those that others may reject. This is such a powerful revelation. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Rahab's narrative begins in the book of Joshua. JewOrNotJew.com: Is Rahab Jewish? However, you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and Gods unique possession, and you have been called out of darkness into his amazing light so that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.