See also Joshua 2 and James 2:25.

It’s the story of the salvation of a prostitute. It’s the story of Rahab, the Harlot of Jericho. Now, as interesting as it might be, if this were just an Old Testament account of some incident out of Jewish history we might pass it by without attaching too much importance to it.

But in speaking about faith, the Holy Spirit has so directed to have Rahab’s name mentioned two times in the New Testament. In Hebrews chapter 11, surprising as it may seem, Rahab’s name is placed on the roll call of the Heroes of faith and in the book of James (2:25), the genuineness of her faith is again emphasised and confirmed.

1 – The faith of Rahab was a simple faith

Is it not strange that God often finds faith in the most unlikely people, in the most unlikely places? We have in our story a heathen Canaanite believing God. In fact, Rahab becomes a model of faith. After hearing bits and pieces of what Israel’s God was doing, Rahab became convinced in her mind that Jehovah God was the only true and living God. (Joshua 2:11) Her faith may have been simple but she responded to the word that she received.

True faith, whether primitive or perfect, has to have something to stand on. Paul said, “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” You don’t have to be a theologian to find God. Rahab heard of the marvellous wonders wrought by Jehovah. She became convinced in her heart this was the God she wanted to worship. Further, she fully believed that God would destroy the city of Jericho and she acted on what she believed. Simple Faith!

2 – The faith of Rahab was a singular faith

Jericho was not known for this kind of faith. You have a lone palm tree flourishing in a desert. Rahab stood alone against her pagan culture. We, too, live in a culture that is hostile to vital faith. We live in a world controlled by Satan. It is really stupid not to expect spiritual warfare while living in enemy territory.

Rahab’s singular faith is certainly a rebuke to those who give excuses for not trusting Christ. Have you heard these excuses? I trust that you are not making them. Here are four of them:-

• I don’t know very much about the Bible.
• I am too bad to be saved.
• I am afraid of what others think of me.
• There is too much to give up.

3 – The faith of Rahab was a self-denying faith

Rahab’s faith was not perfect, but it was not something passive. The Bible commends her not for her falsehood, but for her faith. It was a faith which led to action. For one thing, she dared to risk her life for the protection of the spies. Her faith braves every danger in the way of duty. You can’t help but admire this quality of faith. How few today are prepared to risk anything in the service of our Lord! We are creatures of comfort and security.

4 – The faith of Rahab was a sharing faith

Faith is not something you enjoy, it’s something you share. Can Christians enjoy their salvation without being deeply concerned for the salvation of their loved ones? Rahab was concerned not only about her own salvation, but about those who were dear to her. Let me add this extra note. To use the language of Joshua chapter two, Rahab wanted to get her family behind the “scarlet cord.” Parents, let’s make it our ambition to get our loved ones under the protection of the “scarlet cord.” We can’t lose even one.

5 – The faith of Rahab was a stable faith

Rahab made a life commitment. She made a decision to side with Israel against her own culture and country. Rahab never wavered. Her faith might have been simple but it stood the test. It stood firm in the midst of trouble. Let’s leave Jericho and come to where you are. Where do you stand in your commitment to Christ? Make no mistake; somewhere along the line your faith will be tested. “Am I a soldier of the Cross, a follower of the Lamb, and shall I fear to own his cause, or blush to speak his name?

6 – The faith of Rahab was a saving faith

There is an attempt by a number of commentators to soften the situation by arguing that Rahab was only an Innkeeper. She was not a bad person. But this does not hold up. The New Testament references support the conclusion that she was an immoral woman by all Bible standards. She was a prostitute. It is not our intent to play up her life of sin. We are not condoning her past. Neither does the Bible. It is our intent to glorify grace. “…Where sin abounded grace does much more abound.” What is God trying to tell us?

• No one is beyond the reach of God’s saving power.
• No one is ever saved by his personal merits or goodness.
• No one is ever saved because he is a Jew.

7 – The faith of Rahab was a sheltering fait

Thank God for the “scarlet cord.” The avenging death angel of judgment came to Jericho. Destruction took place. It was a terrible scene. But there was one house, however, that was spared. It was the house where the scarlet cord was hanging from the window.

There is a shelter in the time of storm. All believers are sheltered from the wrath of God by God’s “scarlet cord” that symbolizes the blood of Jesus. We need to stay behind the “scarlet cord.” Rahab did and she is shouting forever and saying, “I’m glad I put my lot with the people of God. I am glad for the scarlet cord.”

God specialises in taking lost sinners, saving them by His grace and then using them for His service. God did this for Rahab. Rahab is not the girl she used to be.

Categories: Hebrews