Topical Bible: Hospitality: Rewarded: Rahab's

◄ Hospitality: Rewarded: Rahab's ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Rahab, a resident of Jericho, is a notable figure in the biblical narrative for her act of hospitality, which ultimately led to her being rewarded by God. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Joshua, where she plays a crucial role in the Israelite conquest of Jericho.

Rahab's act of hospitality is first introduced in Joshua 2. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, Joshua sent two spies to scout the city of Jericho. The spies entered the city and came to the house of Rahab, a prostitute, who provided them shelter. Despite the risk to her own safety, Rahab hid the spies from the king of Jericho's men, who were searching for them. She demonstrated her faith and allegiance to the God of Israel by protecting the spies and misleading the king's men, saying, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from" (Joshua 2:4).

Rahab's hospitality was not merely an act of kindness but a demonstration of her faith in the God of Israel. She acknowledged the power and sovereignty of God, saying to the spies, "I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, so that all who live in the land are melting in fear of you" (Joshua 2:9). Her faith was further evidenced by her request for protection for her family, recognizing the impending destruction of Jericho.

In return for her hospitality and faith, the spies promised Rahab that she and her family would be spared during the conquest of Jericho. They instructed her to tie a scarlet cord in her window as a sign of protection. When the Israelites eventually captured Jericho, Rahab and her family were indeed spared, as recorded in Joshua 6:25: "But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she had hidden the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho, and she lives among the Israelites to this day" .

Rahab's account is a powerful testament to the rewards of hospitality and faith. Her actions not only saved her family but also secured her place in the lineage of Jesus Christ, as noted in the genealogy presented in Matthew 1:5. Rahab's inclusion in the genealogy highlights the transformative power of faith and God's grace, as she transitioned from a life of disrepute to a revered ancestor of the Messiah.

Furthermore, Rahab is commended in the New Testament for her faith and works. Hebrews 11:31 states, "By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient" . James 2:25 also emphasizes her righteous actions: "In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off in a different direction?" .

Rahab's account serves as an enduring example of how acts of hospitality, when coupled with faith, can lead to divine reward and transformation. Her legacy is a reminder of the importance of welcoming and aiding others, even at great personal risk, and the profound impact such actions can have in the unfolding of God's plan.

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Joshua 6:17,22-25
And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
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