THE TESTIMONY OF RAHAB, FORMERLY KNOWN AS RAHAB THE HARLOT

Joshua 2:1-21; 6:22-25

Rahab was not an ordinary prostitute, but a professional one. Her house was strategically located around the city wall, perhaps close to the entrance of the city so that visitors can come in promptly.

She was known in the city as a prostitute. The king of the land even sent for her when he learnt spies had visited the city of Jericho. The king could predict where the spies would lodge, presuming they were “unclean” men. Rahab must have been disowned by her father for such a ridiculing professional she had stuck to. Her household never wanted to be associated with her. She was living on the edge of Hell.

And then, many young people had been brought low and down by her prostitution. She did not have a good testimony with the people. They never spoke well about her. In their opinion, she was at the edge of Hell, and nothing good could come out of her.

One day, something happened; Rahab opened her door to the messengers of the gospel of faith and peace. “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:31).

She realised judgment was coming on the land and the only way of escape was to embrace righteousness. “For when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9b).

She received the two (2) spies. And then she made the greatest decision of her life – she confessed the Lord as God and accepted the message of salvation.

“For the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11b)

It was a confession that birth redemption in her life.

Her life changed almost immediately. Though she lied to the king before, but there became no more need to lie. She welcomed no more guests for harlotry but became charged with the mandate of saving her household.

“Thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee” (Joshua 2:18).

It was a fulfilment of the scripture after all; “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

The scarlet is a red coloured attire. In Rahab case, it symbolizes the redness of blood which is a reflection of Jesus’ blood that was shed on the cross at Calvary. It is good to understand that Christ the Lamb had been slained from the foundation of the world though not fully made manifest until Calvary (Rev. 3:8). So, His blood spoke better things on Rahab’s behalf...Glory!

Rahab’s life was changed. Harlotry was gone; iniquity was confessed and forsaken. The scarlet was hanging there as a sign of her redemption and covenant with God. Rahab decided to help others find the truth, and her family and household became her mandate.

She shared her testimony with her family and told them about the judgment that was coming on the land. Her people saw the genuine changes in her life. They concluded that if Rahab can become saved (with all her past life), God can save them also. Her family accepted God and moved into her house. Her house that used to become a haven for iniquity, alcohol, smoking, etc, became a house of prayer, studying of God’s word, even as they prepared for the Day of Judgment on the land.

Those who used to know her in the past perhaps would want to visit her again for iniquity. They would get there and ask for “Rahab the harlot”. But they were told, ‘she is no more here, for she is dead and now risen with Christ in God.’ Halleluyah! They were told they were seeking for ‘the living among the dead’, because Rahab was dead and now alive in God.

“Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place” (Genesis 38:21).

Rahab’s past life was gone and God gave her a new life; she had new joy, and her family were joyous to have her back. It was like she was lost, but became found. When Judgment came on the land, Rahab and her family were saved. They made it with God’s people to the Promised Land where she lived till today. “And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day” (Joshua 6:25). She literally made it to Heaven!!! It will be amazing to see Rahab, the former harlot in Heaven. She repented before it was too late.

God made a covenant with Rahab, she became was mentioned among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11; “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:31).

Friend, God is able to break the yoke of sin and wickedness in your life if only you will turn to Him in sincere and genuine repentance. He will forgive you and give you a new identity. You will find yourself sharing the message and testimony with others also. You will find yourself fulfilling destiny like Rahab. And you shall escape the judgement that is coming on the world, sinners and disobedient. If you will take the step to give your life to God, that could be the turning point in your destiny and eternity.