Rahab's family life

Sunday’s sermon did not do much speculating about Rahab’s life, but then the text of scripture does little speculating. However, it is kind of fascinating to think about family dynamics with a prostitute as a daughter. The text does use the word for “normal” prostitute as opposed to an official temple prostitute. To give you an idea about the general disposition of these fiercely independent types, I read an article written about the profession of prostitution in the Netherlands. The article said that those involved in prostitution were petitioning the government for official legal status. So I guess that means the profession was already legal as in, “look the other way” legal. Apparently the government did give them official legal status, but the ladies and gentlemen of the night were dismayed to find out that legal status carried more liabilities than it did benefits. They found that they were now required to pay income tax. Interestingly enough they immediately began to repetition the government to un-legalize their status since they didn’t want to have anything to do with paying taxes. That gives you a sense of the kind of person who would be in the “normal” profession of prostitution instead of the legal temple kind.

My guess is that due to this nature, Rahab was aware of everyone coming into and out of Jericho. And that this was not the first time someone rappelled down the wall outside of her house chased perhaps by an irate wife instead of a panic stricken king. Rahab knew fake love inside and out, which gave her great discernment when she saw true love from the God of heaven to His people.

Jim Martinson observed the intrigue of Rahab bringing her whole extended family along. Prostitutes are not known for having good relationships with their families and one wonders if this change in Rahab included a renewed relationship with her family as well. What is clear from scripture is that Rahab turned from the life of prostitution to a life of wife & mother, giving birth to the next one in the line of Jesus the Messiah.

Some time ago a lady came into my office wanting to ask me a serious question. She admitted to me that she was a professional escort, or in common terms, a prostitute. Then she asked me a very interesting question, “Is there any forgiveness for a woman such as me?” What she meant by that question was first she was tired of living with the guilt, and second she wanted to know if the consequences would follow her forever. Because of Rahab I was able to respond with a sincere “absolutely.”