July 15, 2025 | Be God's Family
Rahab and the Spies from Israel
Scripture: Hebrews 11:31(NIV)
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
Devotional
Everybody has some thorny, knotty branches on the old family tree. Matthew 1:5 says that one of the ancestors of Jesus was a woman named Rahab. A little research shows that she was a pagan prostitute who lived in the Canaanite city of Jericho. When Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, Rahab welcomed, housed, and aided the people of God as they were preparing to claim the territory.
Rahab was the last person you would have expected to be a reliable resource for the ancient Israelites and a forebear of the future Messiah. A woman – strike one. A Canaanite – strike two. A harlot – you’re out. Take your seat on the bench. Named “Rahab” – you’re thrown out of the game. Hit the showers.
The word “Rahab” was a mythical sea monster, used to reference the pride and arrogance of Egypt in the books of Psalms, Job, and Isaiah (think how we refer to people or things as a beast, monster, or other animals). Jericho was conquered by “Joshua,” the Hebrew name that is the same as the Aramaic name “Jesus.” Joshua’s relied-upon person on the inside? “Rahab,” basically the Loch Ness Monster.
Today’s verse says Rahab acted by faith. James 2:25 says, “was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?” Rahab acted by faith. She was considered righteous. It turns out that thorny, knotty branch on the Messianic tree produced some beautiful fruit.
Romans 3:22 tells us the righteousness of God “is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.” Your life is not the sum-total of your family heritage. Your legacy is not bequeathing of your accumulated successes. Rather your life and legacy are rooted in your faith in Jesus, producing righteousness on even the unlikeliest of branches.
Poem
Do You Know What It's Like?
Psalm 54
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Psalm 54:4
Do you know what it’s like?
Discarded by life
Ravaged by men
Abused in shame
Housed in contempt
Awaking to another hopeless day
Do you know what it’s like?
To receive tales of foreboding
To hear of enemy’s strength
To smell the fear sweat of your abuser
To imagine a rescue
To hope in another way
Do you know what it’s like?
To risk safety for another
To bargain for your loved ones
To trust in a God you do not know
To pray for the first time
To think the cycle will end
Do you know what it’s like?
To hear the battle cry at your doorpost
To welcome the spy
To gather your family
To throw out a signal
To faith beyond faith
Do you know what it’s like?
To open your window
To let in fresh newness
To leap from your bed
To see a new dawning
To walk into promise
Do you know what it’s like?
