The story of Rahab the Canaanite brothel owner is one of the most remarkable in all Scripture. Yet Rahab’s story does not begin with her; it begins centuries earlier with God’s mighty deliverance of His people, Israel, at the Red Sea. Rahab gives us a glimpse into how God’s fame spread throughout Canaan due to that momentous event. Her story shows us that God is committed to making His name known among all nations and how His redemptive plan culminates in Jesus Christ.
Israel at the Red Sea
After 400 years of slavery in Egypt, God miraculously delivered His people, Israel, through a series of devastating plagues on the Egyptians. Finally, Pharaoh relented and let them go. But after they left, he changed his heart and came after them with his army. The Israelites went to the Red Sea, seemingly trapped. But God parted the waters, allowing Israel to cross on dry land! When the Egyptians tried to follow, God brought the waters crashing down and destroyed the entire Egyptian army (Exodus 14).
This was no ordinary event. God said He did this so that His fame would spread throughout the earth (Exodus 9:16). His goal was that all nations would know He was the true God. As news of this miracle spread, the nations would be drawn to worship Him.
Rahab Hears the Story
Fast forward around 40 years. The Israelites have been wandering in the wilderness due to their unbelief. But now, a new generation stands poised to enter Canaan and claim the Promised Land. Before they invade, Joshua sends two spies to scout out the land. The spies come to the city of Jericho, where they encounter Rahab.
Rahab tells the spies, “I know that the LORD has given you the land…For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt” (Joshua 2:9-10). Despite geographical and cultural barriers, against all odds, this Canaanite prostitute had heard about the Red Sea! God’s fame had rippled throughout Canaan.
Someone had told Rahab the story. In faith, she chose to believe it was true, that the God of Israel is the one true God. She protected the Israelite spies, trusting God would spare her when they destroyed Jericho. Her remarkable faith saved her life.
But the story doesn’t end there. Rahab goes from being an outsider to joining God’s people in Israel. She marries an Israelite and gives birth to Boaz, who becomes the grandfather of King David! A few generations later, Rahab enters the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). God’s redemptive plan is coming sharper into focus.
Jesus the Redeemer
The New Testament clarifies that all redemptive history was building towards Jesus. He is the fulfillment of God’s global purposes hinted at in the Exodus and drawn into finer detail through God’s covenant with Israel.
Jesus is the true and better Israel, who passed through the waters of judgment by being baptized and through the wilderness without sin. He is the true and better Moses, who delivers His people not just from slavery to Pharaoh but from slavery to sin, death, and hell. Jesus is the true and better Adam, the head of a new humanity. He is the true and better high priest who offers the ultimate sacrifice to atone for sin.
All who put their faith in Jesus are united to Him by the Spirit and become part of God’s new covenant people, the church. Jesus’ perfect life and sacrifice secure forever our justification before God. We stand as righteous in God’s sight, clothed in Christ’s righteousness. Through faith in Christ, God credits us with what we could never attain ourselves.
Rahab’s faith was ultimately forward-looking in the coming Messiah, though she didn’t fully realize it then. But we see the providence of God in retrospect, in history’s trajectory toward redemption through His Son.
James Retells Rahab’s Story
Remarkably, in the New Testament letter of James, Jesus’ half-brother highlights Rahab as an example of living faith and good works (James 2:25). What led James to uplift a former Canaanite prostitute?
Indeed, James sees the genuineness of Rahab’s faith demonstrated through protecting the Israelite spies, risking her life because she feared God. Her actions proved the reality of her belief.
But also, perhaps James knew personally the rest of Rahab’s story, her incredible incorporation as an outsider into God’s people, even becoming an ancestor to both King David and Jesus. James embraced faith in his brother Jesus late, but as leader of the Jerusalem church, he saw the inclusion of Gentiles as God’s redemptive plan coming to pass. Rahab foreshadowed the scope of the gospel.
Our Story in God’s Story
Like Rahab, we must entrust ourselves entirely to our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, resting on His atoning sacrifice for us. Our story becomes part of God’s epic story as He writes us into His unfolding drama of redemption.
God also wants to spread His fame to future generations through our lives. Others are drawn to God when they glimpse His power, love, and redemption through our experiences. As in Rahab’s case, the impact often exceeds what we can foresee. Your story matters more than you know.
So, let’s be faithful to share our stories, testifying how God brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light. The fame of God’s glorious grace rippling through our lives will lead many more to entrust themselves to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. All for the praise of His name among all peoples!
Who told Rahab about the Red Sea? – God did.
Josh Cehulik 