God's Call Girl

“A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ: …Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab…” Matthew 1:1&5

She was the one Mama warned you about, not the one you wanted to bring home to Mama. Her business was good. Her reputation was bad. I’m sure Rahab didn’t begin life planning to be a prostitute, but she ended up running Jericho’s most famous Hole-In-The-Wall Motel. Why settle for room and board when you could get room, board, and a broad? Whatever turns her life had taken, nothing compared to the evening two Jewish spies showed up at her front door, quickly followed by demanding soldiers in hot pursuit. Rahab’s choices -- turn the spies over to the king or turn herself over to the spies.

Rahab knew Jericho’s walls were no match for a God who had parted the Red Sea and defeated powerful armies. She wasn’t just concerned; she was terrified. Rahab realized her idols weren’t real gods at all and that the God of Israel was the Lord of it all. In a jumbled mixture of fear and faith, she courageously lied to the soldiers, hid the spies on her roof, and saved the lives of her family when Jericho was destroyed. She moved in with the Israelites, married Salmon – a leader of the tribe of Judah, and became a mommy!

Had Salmon been one of the spies? Was it love at first sight? We won’t know all the juicy, joyful details until heaven, but what we do know is that God picked up a scared streetwalker, held her close as Jericho’s walls and her world tumbled around her, and gently set her down in the center of His special family.

In the middle of her fear, Rahab found God to be a mighty fortress. She was scared. He was strong. She was timid. He could be trusted. Rahab was a harlot. God was holy. Her life had been full of lust. He filled it up with love. She was nothing to write home about. He recorded her story for all eternity.

No wonder Rahab gracefully glistens on Jesus’ family tree. She deserved nothing and God gave her everything.

Isn’t that what Christmas is really all about?

Time for a Little R&R
RECOGNIZE
What scares you right now – your past, present, or future?

RESPOND
God wants to be your mighty fortress. Bring Him your fear and your faith. You will find Him sweetly strong.