Introducing Rahab. Not a huge piece in the unfolding story of God's story, but not insignificant.
She harbors and hides Israelite spies - perhaps a better term "scouts" - depending on your side of the story.
Two men are sent by Joshua to get a lay of the land that God has promised them.
Word gets out by the locals. They are almost caught.
Except for the grace of Rahab who hides them on her roof and then lies about it to the authorities.
In exchange, then Israelite men agreed to spare her and her family when their army takes down Jericho - her city of residence.
Or should I say her city of employment?
All she has to do is hang a red cord as a marker in her window - her house is a safe house. It hints at the blood marked doors during the Passover holocaust in Egypt.
Did I mention that Rahab was a prostitute?
And, well the most significant part . . . . she also happened to be the Great-great Grandmother of David.
Yes that David - the King.
Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed.
Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of King David. - Matthew 1:5-6a
Jesus' royal line.
That's quite a family skeleton in the closet.
And, well the most significant part . . . . she also happened to be the Great-great Grandmother of David.
Yes that David - the King.
Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed.
Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of King David. - Matthew 1:5-6a
Jesus' royal line.
That's quite a family skeleton in the closet.
Well not so much in a closet. Matthew shines a spot light on the fact.
He didn't have to.
Could have left the moms off the genealogy list.
But he didn't.
And we are left to reflect on why Matthew did it. And ultimately, what this means about the character of God. You might want to stop and ponder here. Rahab, the Gentile prostitute, the great-great grandmother of David, in the line of the Messiah, Jesus.
Any skeletons in your family? And skeletons in your life?
What does this story tell you about what God can do with your skeletons?
And we are left to reflect on why Matthew did it. And ultimately, what this means about the character of God. You might want to stop and ponder here. Rahab, the Gentile prostitute, the great-great grandmother of David, in the line of the Messiah, Jesus.
Any skeletons in your family? And skeletons in your life?
What does this story tell you about what God can do with your skeletons?
1 comment:
I have always loved the story of Rahab! It affirms for me that God loves women. And God loves us and can use us even when we are sinners. God loves the least, the last, and the lost. Amazing!
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