Read Hebrews 11:31 and Joshua 2:9-11. Why was Rahab, a pagan prostitute, included in this text of sacred biblical characters?
Rahab is probably the most unexpected character whom we find in Hebrews 11:1-40. Rahab is one of two women mentioned by name. She is the tenth in the list, the first being forefathers and patriarchs of Israel, and each one was regarded as being righteous. When we come to her, we find that she is not only a woman but also a gentile prostitute.
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The most surprising thing is that she is also the thematic center and climax of the chapter. The list is organized in a unique way. Each entry begins with the repetitive use of the phrase “by faith.” The basic pattern is “By faith So-and-so did such-and-thus” or “By faith such-and-thus happened to So-and-so.” This repetitive pattern increases the expectation in the reader to hear the climactic assertion that “by faith Joshua led the people into the promised land.”
But that’s not what the text says. Instead, Joshua is passed over, and the prostitute takes his place. After the mention of Rahab, the repetitive pattern ends abruptly with “and what more shall I say?” (Hebrews 11:32, NKJV). Then, Paul hurriedly lists some names and events that he does not explain in detail.
Rahab’s deed of faith was that she heard, believed, and obeyed, even though she did not see. She did not see the plagues of Egypt, or the deliverance in the Red Sea, or water flow from the rock, or bread descend from heaven; yet, she believed. She was a good exemplar for the audience of Hebrews, who did not hear Jesus preach or see Him do a miracle, and for us as well, who did not see any of these things, either.
“Rahab was a harlot who lived on the wall of Jericho. She hid the two Israelite spies sent to check out the defenses of that city. Because of her kindness to them, and her declaration of belief in God, the spies promised that the lives of Rahab and her family would be spared when the attack came on Jericho.” — Introduction to Rahab found in Daughters of God, p. 35.
Paul then continues (Hebrews 11:35-38) with a list of the hardships many faced. The phrase “refusing to accept release” (Hebrews 11:35, ESV) implies that they had the possibility to escape but chose not to, because their sight was on the reward of God.
| Though we have not seen any of these things happen (the six-day creation, the Exodus, the cross of Christ), why do we have so many good reasons for believing that they did? |
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