Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
When your past follows you, it can be difficult to assume a new identity. Rahab is mentioned several times throughout the New Testament, always with the reminder of her occupation before her faith rescued her from the destruction of her people. Why does God remind us that Rahab was a harlot? Perhaps because He never wants us to forget that He sees the beautiful faith of anyone, even those the world would consider unworthy.
Joshua 2 reveals the beginning of Rahab’s faith journey. She had heard of the amazing God who rescued the Hebrew slaves from Egypt. She had heard how God drowned the world’s largest army in the depths of the Red Sea and led His people through a forty-year journey in the desert. Most likely, Rahab identified with the bondage that held God’s people for so long. She, too, was in bondage. It is unlikely she had much choice in her occupation, as many girls were sold into slavery and prostitution in these times. When Rahab met the spies who had come to Jericho, she jumped into action, hiding them from the authorities and sending them another way to safety. By doing this, she placed her faith in the God who had parted the Red Sea and trusted Him to save her and her family from the coming battle.
The spies gave her instructions to gather her loved ones into her apartment on the city wall and hang a scarlet rope out of its window. Her faith resembled Noah, who built an ark in anticipation of a promised flood. Many in her family believed her warnings and were rescued with her. Rahab’s story does not end with the crumbling walls of Jericho, however. She married into the family of Judah, became the great-great-grandmother of King David. Her name is also listed in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:5. When Jesus told the religious leaders of Israel that the publicans and the harlots would go into the kingdom of God before them, Rahab fit that description long before Jesus came and welcomed them again. (Matthew 21:31).
Why did publicans and harlots gain heaven while the religious leaders did not? They believed in Jesus and followed Him, gaining His identity and shedding their old labels. The religious leaders were happy with their labels. They already enjoyed privilege and prestige amongst men. To lower themselves to the status of those they considered unworthy was not their idea of a good time. They gained the world and lost the kingdom of heaven.
But Rahab…she shed her old identity to put on a new one: daughter of the King. Perhaps the Hebrews tried to remind her of her place. Perhaps she was ignored, belittled, set aside. And yet, God placed her in the genealogy of His Son. It is just like God to set the lowly in high places.
What about you? Do you have a past that follows you? Do you feel ignored, belittled, or set aside? Do not underestimate the new identity God has placed on you when you chose to place all your faith in Jesus. He has given you a new name and called you His own child. It’s time to make faith in Jesus a daily faith in the new identity He has given. Here are some verses to meditate on for that purpose.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:11-12
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:14-17
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:4-7
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:13-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10
It takes faith to believe God. It takes faith to rest in His identity, and not one the world might assign you. Whatever labels you used to identify with, know now that you are His child, a new creature, Christ’s life in you, forgiven, chosen, seated in Heavenly places with Him, a person with beautiful faith. Have a blessed week, my friends!
His Song in the Night 