The Crossroads of a Changed Life

I. RAHAB’S PAST

A. Her Family (Joshua 2:13)

1. Her name—Rahab, meaning wide or spacious
2. Her parents
a. Father
b. And mother
3. Her brethren
4. Her sisters
5. Her kindred

B. Her Career

1. Her association—“harlot” (Joshua 2:1; Joshua 6:17, 22, 25; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25)
2. Her dwelling
a. Her house was upon the town wall (Joshua 2:15).
b. This was a strategic dwelling place for a harlot.
1.) She could gain business from those entering and exiting the city.
2.) She could discreetly let men out by way of the city wall.

II. RAHAB’S PRESENT

A. Her Conviction (Joshua 2:1-5, 7)

1. The men from the king (Joshua 2:1-3)
2. The message from Rahab (Joshua 2:4-5)
3. The pursuit of the men (Joshua 2:7)

B. Her Career (Joshua 2:6)

1. She had stalks of flax laid in order.
2. Some have suspected that she was using the flax to create clothing or similar things (see Proverbs 31:13).

C. Her Conversion (Joshua 2:8-21)

1. Her personal statement of faith (Joshua 2:8)
2. The reaction of her people to Israel’s victories (Joshua 2:9-11)
3. Her personal request (Joshua 2:12-13)
4. The covenant (Joshua 2:14-21a)
5. Her immediate obedience (Joshua 2:21b)

D. Her Care (Joshua 6:17, 22-23)

1. Rahab gathered family into her home.
2. Apparently, her message of coming judgment bore more weight with her family than Lot’s did with his.
3. The two spies went into the house of Rahab (Joshua 6:22-23)

III. RAHAB’S FUTURE

A. Her Dwelling (Joshua 6:25)

1. She dwelt in Israel at the time the book of Joshua was penned.
2. It is likely she lived there the rest of her days.

B. Her Family (Matthew 1:5)

1. By all appearances, the Rahab of Jericho is the Rachab of Matthew 1:5.
2. If this is the case, Rahab settled in with her new people and married a man named Salmon (also called Salma), one of the leaders in the tribe of Judah.
3. Furthermore, she gave birth to Booz (Boaz), who begat Obed, who begat Jesse, who begat David.
4. This could explain why Boaz was willing to give Ruth a chance. After all, his mother had been from a strange people and an ill-reputed line of work. He had been witness of God’s transforming power and saw the same in Ruth.

C. Her Testimony (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25)

1. She was justified by faith (Hebrews 11:31).
2. She was justified by her works (James 2:25).