Hope for Everyone-Lesson from Rahab's Life

In the account of Joshua's life, we come across a special person, when they won their famous war at Jericho.

Background(Joshua 2):Rahab an inhabitant of Jericho, had her house on the Jericho wall. She was prostitute and as per their customs, was not allowed to have a house among the common people of the country. She was made to live on the city wall.
In those days the city wall was not a feet or two thick like we have. They were walls to fortify the city from enemy attacks. Some were made in concentric circles around the city. Some were about 12feet wide. Thats the kind of wall Joshua and Israelites broke through with their praise and shouting.

Situation:(Joshua 2:1 [ Rahab and the Spies ] Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute [ Or possibly an innkeeper ] named Rahab and stayed there.)When Joshua sent spies to Jericho, the easiest place they could sneak in without any suspicion was into Rahab's house. She was in the danger of being caught by her own authorities if they found out that the spies were there or otherwise if the Israelites attacked, her house would be the 1st to get hit.

Rahab's Action:

• She hid them on the roof (Joshua 2:4-6)
• Gave them place to stay (Joshua 2:8)
• Advised them on how to escape the Jericho soldiers (Joshua 2:16)

Why did she do all this? -The Bible says-Its because the whole city of Jericho had heard of the God of Israel and how He had rescued His people and the Red Sea crossing and about all that had happened to the kings who tried to attack the Israelites(Joshua 2:11). She knew that with a God like the One the Israelites had there was no winning against Israel. Indirectly, I find that she honoured the power of the Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. She had heard and now was her chance to act on what she believed, she took the side of the Living God.She wanted to take shelter with a group of people who believed and were guided by a Living God.

What she got in return? -Joshua 6:25 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. Not only was her family spared but now she got a chance to live among people, unlike the way she had been living on the wall in Jericho. Knowing society for the first time, knowing to be a part of a larger community, not being looked at as someone who deserves no respect, but as a hero I'd say. I imagine, the Israelites must have spoken about her as a woman of courage to have dared to keep the spies in her house which was probably surrounded most of the time with the soldiers in Jericho on account of it being on the city wall.

Her returns did not end there-

• Her name finds mention in the geneology of our Lord Jesus Christ-(Matthew 1:5 (Whole Chapter) Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,6and Jesse the father of King David )
• Her name mentioned in the book of Hebrews, "Hall of Faith"(Hebrews 11:31 (Whole Chapter) By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient)

As I see it, she had an impact not only in the lives of the Israelites then but also on us who are children by faith, showing us an example of faith. From another angle, I see that those who run to the Living Lord Jesus for whatever it be, they are never turned down and reap eternal benefits.

Lesson: Rahab's life shows us the blessings, of a person willing to go with the Living God. Rahab shows us that she did not lose anything from trusting in the power of the Living God (which she heard about) but was blessed beyond what she could ever imagine. Many people have heard about Jesus, but do not want to have a relationship with God. Whatever situation we're in, maybe we're sitting on our own wall, not accepted by people we thought would accept us, Rahab's life teaches us God Cares not matter who you are. There is hope for everyone, if only we turned to the Lord.