Joshua 2:1 – Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. (NIV)

I dislike how damnable labels get attached to people. It can harm their reputation. Yet, in Scripture we see that damnable label, "prostitute", attached to a woman named Rahab — five times! We're given no insight into her conduct. She seemed to function well in her ancient city-state of Jericho — at least until she deliberately defied her king's order: she refused to turn in the two Israelite spies whom she hid in her home. She arranged their escape, thus collaborating with the overthrow of Jericho. Now, that is damnable conduct!

What made Rahab risk being condemned as a traitor? What made her risk angering the Canaanite gods by giving allegiance to a foreign deity? Furthermore, what made the Israelite spies entrust their lives to this alleged prostitute? I say, that was not foolishness, but evidence of faith in the living God.

Jericho had become paralyzed by terrifying reports about the advancing Israelites. Rahab, however, took note of their God and realized that He was, indisputably, the living God, the God above all gods, the God of judgment and mercy. Rahab put her trust in this God and believed that Jericho was facing divine judgment. So, after sending off the spies, she warned relatives and others to prepare. Only those staying in her home would be saved. Thus, when the Israelites conquered Jericho, several lives were mercifully spared — as the spies had promised.

Hebrews 11:31 – By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. (NIV)

Why, I ask, is that damnable label "prostitute" retained in both Testaments, like a red light glaring over Rahab? To me it's a vexing distraction. Maybe that's the point. It makes me face myself by asking, what am I more readily drawn to: that damnable label or God's amazing grace? What's easier to discuss?

I recall an after-church discussion about Rahab many years ago. It was all about Rahab's morality. The actual content in Scripture received barely a footnote. We didn't mention how Rahab's faith is evidence of God's kindness. We didn't catch the scandal of God's mercy, how a prostitute's home became the only way of salvation, and a prostitute became God's messenger. We couldn't see God's blazing grace outshining that damnable red light. Our Christianity, it seemed, was more centred on works than grace. That's always a danger. Yet the evidence of grace keeps on shining through Rahab's name listed among the ancestors of Jesus in Matthew 1:5.

Perhaps, we feel misjudged because of certain labels hovering over us. This might include the derogatory term first used for Jesus-followers and increasingly used that way: the word "Christian".

Here's the good news: regardless of any disgraceful labelling, our primary duty is like Rahab's: to keep our eyes on the living Lord and entrust ourselves to His grace. No damnable label can squelch Christ's light or dampen our hope in this liberating promise:

Romans 8:1 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, open our spiritual eyes that we may be more enthralled by Your breathtaking grace at work in and through sinners. Halleluiah! What a Saviour! Amen!

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About the author:

Diane Eaton <dianeeaton6@gmail.com>
Paisley, Ontario, Canada
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