I was reading in the Book of Joshua and came to that wonderful account of the life of Rahab. She was famous for all the wrong reasons. She is described as a “harlot.” Many scholars have tried to soften that description and call her an innkeeper, which is an acceptable translation of the OT word, but both the writer of Hebrews and James use a NT word that means “prostitute.” As one commentator wrote, “Rahab did not manage a bed and breakfast, she ran a brothel.”
Yet despite her past, she had a marvelous future. She placed her faith in the true God of Israel and became the first convert in the Promised Land. She was accepted by a godly Israelite man named Salmon, a prince of the tribe of Judah. They married and had a son named Boaz. Their great-great-grandson was named David.
We find Rahab in the lineage of Jesus. I am sure that no one in the City of Jericho ever imaged the local harlot would end up so well. God can take the most devastating past and give a brilliant future.
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.’” [Isaiah 1:18 NKJV]
Our past does not hinder God’s plans for us. Yes, we may have to live with the consequences of our past choices while in this life, but when God calls us to Himself, He will give us everything we need to live for Him now. We put our past, our reputations, into His marvelous care.
Rahab’s past included a brothel; Rahab’s future included a King. If God can do that with her, what can He do with us?
