Women in the lineage of Jesus

Rahab - Faith Hall of Famer in belief & action

Dive in and Read: Joshua 2:1-24; Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25

Opening prayer:  New every morning is your love, great God of light,

And all day long You are working for good in the world.

Stir up in us a desire to serve You, to live peacefully with our neighbors and to devote this day to Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ the LORD. Amen. 

Discover: Matthew lists five women in the lineage of Jesus Christ in chapter 1. This listing of genealogy was very typical of the biblical narrative, however, atypical is including so many women. It intentionally raises our curiosity and we ask “how does God incorporate these women’s lives into His story and work in the world? OR How did these women’s stories get transformed through the life, death and resurrection of our Jesus?” As we study these amazing women together, may we see no matter how we view ourselves, Jesus redeems our stories and they become part of His. We will start with Rahab.
 Rahab is listed in Matthew 1:5 as the mother of Boaz. As you re-read her story and all the times she is mentioned in the Bible, what does her story bring to mind? Do you think of her as a lower class citizen, Gentile sinner who repents after hearing the miraculous stories of Yahweh’s power & Egyptian deliverance from the two male spies? How do you think God sees Rahab given the societal circumstances around her life? As you reread Rahab’s story with fresh eyes, may Jesus reveal His values of covenant loyalty over social identity and labels. 

Rahab is the main character in this patriarchal community story. Rahab initiates a deal with two foreign male representatives of Israel and then they listen to her advice on how to escape. These males are not given a voice or part of a dialogue until they are leaving her city. In fact, Rahab tells the spies what she has heard from others about Yahweh, the God of Israel and some of these stories are from 42 years before! She recognizes God’s power and ability to deliver His people into freedom. Even the King of Jericho trusts her response and takes her advice to search the hills. 

Rahab was already trusting in Yahweh before the spies entered her city! She puts her trust into action by committing to the safety of this foreign group of people over the safety of her own community! Her loyalty/faith is revealed by her actions. After the defeat of Jericho, Rahab joins Israel by marrying an Israelite. Her whole identity is transformed by the grace of God! She gives birth to a son named Boaz who in Ruth 2:1 is called a “mighty man of great valor.” Rahab’s story shows us God values loyalty to His covenant more than social identity and labels. Rahab is esteemed by three different  New Testament authors as a woman whose trust is in the Hall of Fame alongside Moses and Abraham! 

Deeper Connection: How does Rahab’s story connect with your life story? What social labels or identity do you need to throw off? Where have you seen and heard God’s hand at work in places around you?  How does Jesus want us to be transformed in our current circumstances? 

Closing prayer: Oh God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and trust shall be our strength: by the power of Your Holy Spirit, quiet our hearts, we pray. So that we may be still and know that You are God, through Jesus Christ our LORD. Amen and AMEN.