what is in a [woman's] name? part 2

"...and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab..."

Matthew 1: 5a

If you read my last post, 'what is in a [woman's] name? part 1' you came to see that I am studying the women in the lineage of Christ. Typically a woman's name is not listed in a genealogy, only the fathers and their sons.  If you look closely at the lineage of Jesus Christ, recorded by Matthew in chapter 1, you will see the names of five women listed which is unusual. The first was Tamar, a woman who remained faithful in the midst of shame and dishonor. The second is that of Rahab, a prostitute with a shady reputation from Jericho. 

Her story can be found in Joshua chapter two, with more mention of her in chapter six. I would encourage you to read through it and let the mercy of God's Word wash over you. For now I will paraphrase. 

The Israelites had been wandering through the desert for several decades in search of a land that God had promised to them. Moses, their leader, had died and Joshua had taken over. As they approached the Promised Land, there was no doubt fear and apprehension about taking the land as their own. They decided it would be best to send in two spies to assess the enemy so as to come up with a plan to take the land. There was a prostitute by the name of Rahab that lived in Jericho. Anyone could guess what a prostitute's response would be to two foreign men coming to town, and true to that, she opened her home to them. Word came to the king that two spies had entered the land and were hiding somewhere in Jericho. Without thinking twice, he knew Rahab's place was a likely stopping point for the men, so he questioned her immediately. She responded, "True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them." (v.5) In reality, the spies were hiding in her roof. She went to them and said, "I know the Lord has given you this land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the kings of the Amorites where beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father's house..." (vv9-12a)

I love this story because through it we see many aspects of God's character. God delights in using the unassuming and simple things of this world to shame the wise (1 Cor. 1:27) and we see this clearly through a prostitute's story. Without a doubt, she had the reputation that fit that of a prostitute. Even the king knew her story, perhaps he had even used her services. A reputation is hard to shake, especially a shady one. The Bible doesn't give a reason behind her prostitution, but one could assume that she was of low social class and perhaps uneducated. Whatever the reason, she was known by her actions, and it wasn't a noble or dignified reputation. 

I love how even a prostitute from a foreign land knew and feared the name of the Lord. Word of His provision had gone out throughout the land and the only response was to fear God and those people that followed Him. As we seek to faithfully follow Him, we will without a doubt see Him work in our lives. As we are faithful to tell stories of His faithfulness even those that have lived lives in direct opposition to God will come to a saving knowledge of Him. 

Perhaps what I love the most is that God's favor is not reserved only for those that have led 'good' lives. In fact, God's Word says clearly that not one of us are good enough to earn God's favor (Romans 3:10, Isa 64:6). We are all under the curse of sin and will never attain God's holiness. Throughout Scripture we see story after story of people that fail and yet God extends grace, mercy and redemption time after time.  

It is not reputation that determines God's favor, it is the attitude of the heart. Rahab knew her sin, she undoubtedly lived in shame and yet her heart feared God. She had heard the stories of the God of Moses and her heart responded. King David penned a verse that has penetrated my heart to the core: "For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51: 16,17 So many of us go through the motions of good works. We tithe or required ten percent, we take communion and attend church fairly regularly. We give to the starving children of Africa and put together a Christmas box for needy children at Christmas time. While all of these things are fine and good, that is all they are, they alone have no power to save our souls or redeem that which is lost. What God requires is not good works or even a good reputation, but rather a heart the recognizes its need for Him. This is recognized in the midst of brokenness and pain. 

This is the heart of God--He uses the brokenness, pain and unfairness of life to draw our hearts to His. It is in the desolate place that He invites us to come and partake, feast with Him in the abundance of His glory and grace. He will give us honor where shame once held us captive and not only will He use us for His glory and the blessing of others, but He will make us heirs with Christ should we let go of the trash we call ours and acknowledge our need for a Savior. Who knows, just as we are talking about a prostitute turned great grandma to the Savior of the World, perhaps others will be encouraged by our story of redemption as well. 

<><tce