Who is Rahab and why is she important? “Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household . . . Joshua saved alive. . . . And she has lived in Israel to this day.” (Josh. 6:25).
What person in the Bible (besides Jesus) are you looking forward to meeting in heaven? Whose story do you want to hear directly from the person’s mouth? Moses? Ruth? Paul? I don’t know about you, but I have a list!
At the time the Old Testament book of Joshua was written, the words in Joshua 6:25 (quoted above) likely reflected the fact that Rahab was still living among the Israelites at the time. The statement was included as a way of authenticating the story. It served to remind the people that Rahab was still alive and living with them at the time the book of Joshua was written. It was as if to say, If you do not believe me, you can go and speak with Rahab herself. Don’t you wish we could do just that? We’ll need to wait for heaven for that day, and we’ll probably have to stand in line!
Rahab’s Act of Faith: A Door of Safety
What is the meaning of the door of faith?
Before writing this study, the scarlet cord had always been at the forefront of Rahab’s story in my mind. And I know I am not the only one. Although the scarlet cord did not save Rahab, it identified her (and her home) as being set apart for God’s special protection. Very often, in discussing the story of Rahab, the scarlet cord is thought to point to the blood of Christ. That may certainly be the case. However, in addition to that symbolism, there is something else in the text that is highly significance, but often overlooked: the oath of protection the spies made to Rahab also had much to do with the door of her house (Josh. 2:17–21).
The Israelites spies warned her, “Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head” (Josh. 2:19). The scarlet cord would identify the location of Rahab’s house, but the door guarded those who took refuge inside. This brings to mind several other doors, such as:
- the door of Noah’s ark, which protected the family from flood (Gen 6:16, 7:16)
- the door of Lot’s house, which protected the family from the city’s wicked men (Gen 19:10)
- and the door of the Passover, which, marked with blood, protected those families from the angel of death (Exod. 12:7, 12:13).
In every case, God appointed a door of safety on the day of judgment. This is evidence of God’s saving grace. All who were on the inside stayed safe; all who were outside the door perished. This is why Jesus declared in John’s Gospel, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved . . .” (John 10:9).
This excerpt is from Week 5 of RAHAB: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me.
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Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, author, and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and is the author of several books and Bible studies, including TAMAR, HAGAR, LEGION, Worthy of Love and her newest study, RAHAB: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me!Â
