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Rahab: The Mother Who Raised Boaz
\nJan 12, 2025<\/p>\n
Over the past month, we have been sharing messages related to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. Today we resume our message series \u201cLearning From People, How to Live with God\u201d. This series is about knowing how to live with God through the people in the Bible.<\/p>\n
The setting for this morning\u2019s story is Jericho, the world\u2019s oldest town northwest of the Dead Sea, which is said to have existed since around 8000 B.C. In this town of Jericho lived a woman named Rahab around 1500 B.C.<\/p>\n
The Bible records that this Rahab was a \u201cprostitute\u201d. How she became a prostitute, we do not know. What we can imagine is that she had circumstances that required her to become a prostitute. Needless to say, the circumstances were not what Rahab would have wished, and we surmise that she had painful and sad circumstances and upbringing. Joshua 2:1-7 records for us why she comes out in the Bible.<\/p>\n
Joshua 2:1-7 1\u00a0<\/strong><\/sup>Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies\u00a0from Shittim.\u00a0\u201cGo, look over\u00a0the land,\u201d he said, \u201cespecially Jericho.\u201d So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab\u00a0and stayed there. 2\u00a0<\/sup>The king of Jericho was told, \u201cLook, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.\u201d\u00a03\u00a0<\/sup>So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab:\u00a0\u201cBring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.\u201d 4\u00a0<\/sup>But the woman had taken the two men\u00a0and hidden them.\u00a0She said, \u201cYes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from.\u00a05\u00a0<\/sup>At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate,\u00a0they left. I don\u2019t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.\u201d\u00a06\u00a0<\/sup>(But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax\u00a0she had laid out on the roof.)\u00a07\u00a0<\/sup>So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan,\u00a0and as soon as the pursuers\u00a0had gone out, the gate was shut.<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen the Israelites were under the leadership of Joshua, Moses\u2019 successor, Joshua sent two spies in order to capture Jericho. At that time, the spies were in Rahab\u2019s house. When the king of Jericho heard of this, he sent a messenger to Rahab\u2019s house, fearing for his safety. The two spies were hiding on the roof of Rahab\u2019s house, and when Rahab was questioned, she gave false testimony to protect them.<\/p>\n
Ladies and gentlemen, there is something very important recorded here. That is, at the time, she was given the freedom to talk as she wished. She had the freedom to hand the two men over, as well as the freedom to not do so. If she hid the spies and it had been discovered, Rahab would have found herself in danger. She was well aware of this.<\/p>\n
But she did not hand over the spies at that time, even though she knew she was in danger. Why did she make such a life-threatening decision? When she was sure that the messenger sent by the king had gone, she went up to the roof where the two spies were, and said:<\/p>\n
Joshua 2:9-11 9\u00a0<\/sup> \u201cI know that the\u00a0Lord\u00a0has given you this land and that a great fear\u00a0of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.\u00a010\u00a0<\/sup>We have heard how the\u00a0Lord\u00a0dried up\u00a0the water of the Red Sea\u00a0for you when you came out of Egypt,\u00a0and what you did to Sihon and Og,\u00a0the two kings of the Amorites\u00a0east of the Jordan,\u00a0whom you completely destroyed.\u00a011\u00a0<\/sup>When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear\u00a0and everyone\u2019s courage failed\u00a0because of you,\u00a0for the\u00a0Lord\u00a0your God\u00a0is God in heaven above and on the earth\u00a0below.<\/strong><\/p>\nIn these words of hers are recorded some very important things. First, Rahab knew that the two spies were Israelites who had escaped from Egypt. She knew that God had divided the waters of the Red Sea for them to escape. She also knew that Israel had achieved amazing results in the battles it had faced. She did not actually witness these things, but she was mindful of Israel\u2019s journey. She then speaks of what has become her heart\u2019s conviction based on these facts.<\/p>\n
for the\u00a0Lord\u00a0your God\u00a0is God in heaven above and on the earth\u00a0below. (Joshua 2:11)<\/p>\n
Rahab knew the facts of what the living God had done for Israel, thought about them, and based on that, made her own decision and took action. Interestingly, the writer of Hebrews summed up Rahab\u2019s words and actions in these short words.<\/p>\n
Hebrews 11:31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.<\/strong><\/p>\nWhat the writer is trying to say is that Rahab\u2019s own thinking and decision were made by her faith. The decision she made was a step forward to something she had not yet seen, so it was certainly accompanied by faith.<\/p>\n
Rahab\u2019s concealment of the Israelite spies. The fact that she turned the messenger away was a risky thing to do. She could have lost her life over it. But Rahab came to know the God of Israel, thought about it, put her faith in Him, and made a decision to stake her life on Him. And from the moment she made this decision of faith, God placed her under His protection. Moreover, what took place did not end here. She went on to say to the spies:<\/p>\n
Joshua 2:12-14 12\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cNow then, please swear to me\u00a0by the\u00a0Lord\u00a0that you will show kindness\u00a0to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign\u00a013\u00a0<\/sup>that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them\u2014and that you will save us from death.\u201d 14\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cOur lives for your lives!\u201d\u00a0the men assured her. \u201cIf you don\u2019t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully\u00a0when the\u00a0Lord\u00a0gives us the land.\u201d<\/p>\nShe boldly asked the spies what she wanted. And it was accepted. Later, this decision of hers would save her and her family. This decision she made was not only for her own salvation, but also for that of her family.<\/p>\n
There is one person in the household who is at the head and takes the helm. These words indicate that a person\u2019s decision by faith affects not only that person but also those in the same boat.<\/p>\n
Two weeks ago, I talked about the midwives, Moses\u2019 mother and sister, and the daughter of Pharaoh, who saved Moses\u2019 life. Their courage saved Moses\u2019 life and, in turn, the lives of the Israelites. What they all had in common was that despite their vulnerable position, they courageously made the decision to do what they had to do. Amazingly, here is another woman of courage, Rahab. I will bring up again, today, the words that I brought up two weeks ago. Jesus Christ said:<\/p>\n
John 16:33 \u201cIn the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.\u201d<\/strong> (NASB)<\/p>\nAs I was meditating on these words of Jesus, I thought to myself. Couldn\u2019t Jesus have said a lot of things after saying, \u201cIn the world you have tribulation\u201d?<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the world you have tribulation, so do your best as if your life depended on it!\u201d \u201cIn the world you have tribulation. It is inevitable, so just give up!\u201d<\/p>\n
Jesus did not say such things. Jesus said one word: \u201cTake courage\u201d. What the Lord Jesus asks of us is not so much this or that, but only courage. It is a courageous step for us. Because from that step, everything begins.<\/p>\n
And with our first steps, the Lord is with us. Rahab courageously said, \u201cThere are no spies here\u201d. God took this courageous testimony of hers to His heart, and protected her and her family.<\/p>\n
Initially, there is hesitation and fear involved for us in moving forward in faith. Such are normal human emotions. However, God is with those who have faith, and with that comes rewards.<\/p>\n
We often say that Christianity is \u201cnot a goriyaku shukyo (religion of benefits).\u201d But in fact, that is not true, for Christianity promises us tremendous rewards. The spies who were concealed by Rahab left the following words for her.<\/p>\n
Joshua 2:15-20 17\u00a0<\/sup>Now the men had said to her, \u201cThis oath\u00a0you made us swear will not be binding on us\u00a018\u00a0<\/sup>unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord\u00a0in the window\u00a0through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family\u00a0into your house.\u00a019\u00a0<\/sup>If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads;\u00a0we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head\u00a0if a hand is laid on them.\u00a020\u00a0<\/sup>But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nBecause of her faith, Rahab received a promise that her house and those who remained in it and their families would be protected when the city was destroyed by them. A \u201cscarlet cord\u201d was then handed to her as a sign.<\/p>\n
We are reminded by the sign of the scarlet cord. It is what happened before this event. That is, on the last night of Moses\u2019 departure from Egypt, God told the Israelites to slaughter a sheep and smear its blood on the doorposts of their house.<\/p>\n
And as for the house marked with the blood, God passed over that house and did not bring death to those who lived there. It is that red blood event of that \u201cPassover\u201d.\\Likewise, the scarlet cord will become a sign of salvation for Rahab and her family in this place.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sanbi.us\/pmac\/here\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/31e010ea77d697ed6c0c3a9fb6841664-300x201.jpeg\")
In other words, the house of Rahab, whose scarlet cord is attached to the window, will be saved. Needless to say, this scarlet cord coincides with the blood that the Israelites applied to the doorposts of their homes. And this will point to that blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross for our sins.<\/p>\n
In fact, Rahab became the woman who stood between the blood of Moses at the Passover and the blood of Jesus shed at the cross, and pointed to that cross. There are many people in the Bible, but only a very limited number of people are truly given the privilege and honor of pointing to Christ. What is even more amazing is that her name is included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1.<\/p>\n
Matthew 1:3-6 3\u00a0<\/sup>Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4\u00a0<\/sup>Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5\u00a0<\/sup>Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6\u00a0<\/sup>and Jesse the father of King David.<\/strong><\/p>\nIn those days, a genealogy would only list the father\u2019s name, but the biblical genealogy makes an exception. Four women are listed. Rahab was one of those who placed herself among those who stood alongside of Jesus Christ. It was an amazing and everlasting honor for her.<\/p>\n
If she had not made that courageous decision at that time, no one would know her name today, and she and her family would have been destroyed. But that decision made her the heir of God\u2019s blessing, not only to her, but also to her family and even to her subsequent descendants. I have just realized something while preparing this message.<\/p>\n
In this genealogy, we notice that Rahab was Boaz\u2019s mother. Boaz was born the son of Rahab, a prostitute. We can only imagine what kind of environment a child who says, \u201cMy mother was a prostitute,\u201d must live in.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the child will be influenced positively by that environment. On the contrary, this will cause a deep wound in the child\u2019s heart that will be difficult to heal. Hatred, anger, and distrust will build up in the heart, which could possibly cast a dark shadow over the rest of one\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
So, ladies and gentlemen, what kind of person is Boaz, the son of this prostitute Rahab? Was he a man with mental instability, doubt, unspeakable vengeance, and constant anger in his heart?<\/p>\n
Ladies and gentlemen, Boaz is the husband-to-be of that Ruth. I admire Boaz\u2019s character when I read about him in the book of Ruth. As a fellow man, I think he is truly admirable.I am not quite there yet, but he is a man who makes me long to be a husband like him.<\/p>\n
Ladies and gentlemen, don\u2019t you think so? He had a big heart, and he embraced the sorrow of the widows Naomi and Rurth as they were, showing them unsparing kindness. There is no more courteous gentleman in the Bible who treated women as kindly as he did. He is a man of deep emotion, but always calm and wise at heart, a reliable man who gently protected them and ensured that he fulfilled his responsibilities.<\/p>\n
From a human point of view, and according to today\u2019s psychological data, it seems unlikely that such a son would grow up from Rahab, a prostitute.How could such a Boaz be born and raised from her?<\/p>\n
On one occasion, Boaz spoke to Ruth, who was alone and gathering the fallen ears in his wheat field that would be her sustenance for that day.<\/p>\n
Ruth 2:12 \u201cMay the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nPeople in the Lord, these are words that can only be spoken by someone who knows that they are \u201cplaced under the wings of God\u201d. Only someone who has received sufficient rewards from God can say the words, \u201cMay you be richly rewarded\u201d.<\/p>\n
Boaz must have experienced more of God\u2019s grace than he could bear, as he and his mother Rahab were placed under God\u2019s wings. He inherited the same faith as his mother and lived that same faith.<\/p>\n
The Bible is silent on the details of what happened in Rahab\u2019s life. What I can imagine is that her encounter with those two spies and her commitment to her faith at that time may have been a turning point in her life. Being a prostitute and living with God are never compatible, and thus she must have put such a life behind her.<\/p>\n
And the God that Rahab believed in must have left something good in the heart of her child Boaz, which overshadowed her upbringing and circumstances. The son of Rahab, a prostitute who had been treated unreasonably by heartless men, became the man who worked and cared for women more than any other man in the Bible.<\/p>\n
This, people in the Lord, is the tremendous reward that God had given to Rahab. For her courageous decision, God poured out his blessings to her descendants that overshadowed her circumstances.<\/p>\n
And this grace of God is being poured out on those of us who live in the present. Whether women or men, the lives we have lived so far, what we have done so far, is there something good we can leave for future generations?<\/p>\n
No, on the contrary, can we face our children? Some of you may wish you could go back and redo that time if you could. Humanly speaking, if you have lived as you please up to that point, it is difficult to rebuild it on your own. However, let us take this to heart today. That our God is the God who protected and blessed Rahab, gave her Boaz, and nurtured this mother and child!<\/p>\n
We know that life is demanding. But what about life is so demanding? Lately, I think. The real demands of life are that we must decide for ourselves how to live.<\/p>\n
The fall of Adam and Eve shows us the extreme consequences of the decisions they made. God does not intervene in our free will. It is entirely up to each of us. Our free will is where our selfishness and pride wriggle around, where we easily misjudge our decisions. It is a place where foolishness and pettiness erupt.<\/p>\n
I think how we decide things in the midst of that free will is the real demanding part of our life. Who can control such a free will? How can we make the best decisions then and in the future? These are not things we can do on our own.<\/p>\n
But if God intervenes in our decisions, it will be fine. First, courageously make the decision to live with Me. The Lord tells us, that is where it all begins.<\/p>\n
And we have His church. The church is a place where those who are struggling with these daily decisions gather. Here we pray for and support each other. This is where we share heavenly wisdom through God\u2019s Word. Here we confirm our daily commitment to Jesus Christ our Savior.<\/p>\n
After the message, we will sing a praise song called \u201cAn Earthen Vessel\u201d. We are all earthen vessels. We acknowledge that we are fragile vessels, with chips and cracks. One could say that Rahab\u2019s life in the past was just such a life.<\/p>\n
However, everything changed from her decision on that day and that time. Since then, the love and light of God that spilled out of her cracks and chips, covered and illuminated her family and son Boaz.<\/p>\n
In this new year, 2025, we will be making a lot of decisions once again this year. People in the Lord, won\u2019t you join me on this adventure in 2025. With the God of Rahab, the mother who raised Boaz.<\/p>\n
Let us pray.<\/p>\n
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