It is also worth noting that Rahabs name is not listed among the other Canaanite women who were banished from Jericho, which suggests that she was already living there when the Israelites arrived. pic.twitter.com/X8oPHr9usC. In Rahab's day, it was normal for women to be bought and sold for sex (or even marriage). Rahabs story isnt long though its longer than many stories in the Bible, but what little there is of the story is profound. The account of Rahab Reminds us that from the moment we choose to believe and follow God, the impact we have on the world can change. She, herself, was a prostitute. These are the words I use to describe the character of Rahab in the Bible. Rahab was a courageous woman who lived in Jericho just before the Israelites invaded Canaan [1493 BC or 2553 years after Creation]. 1. An invading army was gathered out there the forces of Israel. Interesting and Fun Animal Facts 1. This was her culture. 125 Fun Facts. Some biblical scholars maintain that Rahab, the woman who hid Joshuas two spies, was a harlot or prostitute. If youve ever had to deliver a speech before an unknown audience you understand how much nerve it takes to speak up for what you want. It portrays a lack of commitment or diligence; sometimes to a task and other times towards a person or relationship. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. She exercised it. Operating an inn by the city gate and entertaining caravans and travelers from around the world must have been like living next to the CNN headquarters! This applies to other affiliate links on this website as well. Rahab is mentioned in both the Old Testament and New Testament, and her story is an example of Gods grace and redemption. What if Rahab the harlot wasnt a Canaanite? Your email address will not be published. Now, theres no pretty way to translate it, the word refers to a whore or someone who has behaved wantonly and committed adultery. She received her B.A. Pigs' orgasms last for 30 minutes. We dont know how invested Rahab was in honoring Canaanite worship practices but we do know that however invested she was, it wasnt enough to keep her from abandoning their falsehoods for the One true God. This is the perspective taken in Rahab Woman of Jericho and its an interesting one. Fun Facts about Rahab Villacres's Birthday. 3. City gates in the Bible were places of community and commerce. In Psalm 87:4 Rahab is the name of a city; also in Psalm 89:10 and in Isaiah 51:9. I loved this! One million Earths could fit inside the sun. 2. He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit. The Rahab story, shows faith triumphing over the King of the Amorites by her faith. What did it take to convince her entire family they would be better off living in a whorehouse? Diana makes her home in San Diego, California. The program, called Acoustic Kitty, involved surgically implanting batteries, microphones and antennae inside cats. 65. The spies are taken in by a woman named Rahab, who hides them from the authorities and helps them escape. Learn more about theStory of Rahab from Christianity.com. window.fd('form', { She is remembered for the remarkable transformation. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The story of Rahab and the spies from Israel is one of the most popular in the Bible. She didnt just let go of some things, she abandoned EVERYTHING. [23] She Was "Declared Righteous by Works". When they entered the wilderness they crossed the water of the Red Sea, That Miracle made the inhabitants of the land melt. If you wish to use an image or any other content of this blog, contact connect@lotanner.com prior to using the content. Its evident in Joshua 2:8-11 that Rahab has little to no confidence in the life shes been living and the gods her people worship. 1. If so, it is likely that she had other family members in Jericho who were also struggling to make ends meet. What I admire so much about Rahab is that she took the reckless route. God is so amazing! If you've never heard of these languages, you aren't alone. God parted the waters of the Jordan River for themwill He likewise provide miracles and blessings to her Ephraimite clan if they can rejoin their people? I say this for two reasons: 1. Simply the best collection of interesting facts, weird facts and useless facts. The woman who had been called a harlot became a godly wife and mother in Israel. Download our free Rahab Bible Study pdf worksheets and join us! Rahab is the ever-present message of God to you: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The King of Jericho was killed in battle, along with all his soldiers. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with the study Gloria! And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth beneath., Leaving Behind Her Livelihood and Citizenship. She shows that with forgiveness there is no need to live in guilt and stay in our sinful ways. (NIV) Hebrews 11:31. Rahab was a prostitute. Fun Facts About Space. Then they heard about the Israelites. Generous Rahab was generous, as she gave her own Jericho house to the spies. So, while city gates served many purposes in Bible times, their most important function was as a place where people could meet with God. Thanks for sharing your experience with me , I used to think Rahab was only a prostitute and she wanted to sleep with the Christian spies. Rahab chose to have faith that God existed and that He was faithful to deliver the land He had promised to His people. In the olden days, just as today, cities were called by the names of famous men and women. And she did it in a moment. After the fall of Jericho, the Israelites went on to conquer the rest of Canaan. That's who she is. But the Hebrew word, zn, is interpreted in the Septuagint as prn. Rahabs story is also told in Joshua chapter two. When we read the story of Rahab we assume that she was a Canaanite. 101 Fun Facts 1. In Rahabs case, it wasnt any of those things. Something tells me she had been waiting for an opportunity like this; a chance to escape the darkness in Canaan and the hurt of her life. 5. She was a Canaanite woman who lived in the city of Jericho during the time of the Israelite conquest. 3. Weve talked about it as a verb but there is one more definition I want to bring into this conversation before we come to an end. She refused to nurture those things anymore. The name of the French flag is actually very simple, it means "3 colors". The book of Esther is one book everyone will enjoy . In the 1960s, the CIA tried to spy on the Kremlin and Russian embassies by turning cats into listening devices. Rahab has special significance for Christians: she is among the four women listed in Matthew's gospel as ancestors of Jesus of Nazareth. His parents are Amram and Jochebed from the tribe of Levi. This story is found in the book of Joshua, Chapter 6. When the Israelite spies came to her city, she could have easily turned them over to the authorities. 22. Joshua 2:1-24 #AllinAugust pic.twitter.com/QdFkTkkfYX. As Christians, we will need to spend time in His Word doing the work to learn more about His character. containerEl: '#fd-form-63050dacce6421efe0a560d4' 5. Rahab Woman of Jericho will give you insight into what life may have been like for the people who remained in the camp while the Israelite army fought their enemies. Second, Rahab reminds us that anyone can be saved by Gods grace. When I hear Tower of Babel my, Read More Nimrod and the Story of the Tower of BabelContinue, Its easy to overlook the importance of repentance in the Bible. But as hard as it is to have faith, there are rewards in the end. Many people are familiar with the story of Rahab, the prostitute who helped the Israelites escape from Jericho. All for the HOPE of a new life, with the One True God and His people. The most remarkable deed of Rahab was actually telling a lie, to protect two spies of Joshua. There is also an account of Rahab (Rahabs Story) in the Hebrew Bibles historical books, where she appears as a Canaanite woman who aided Joshuas spies in Jericho and was saved from destruction along with her family. Would the kings men have found the spies if they had decided to search the house? And God was far more concerned with who Rahab was than with what she did. The two spies walk up to a house thats set in the wall of Jericho and meet a woman, Rahab. Whatever Rahab was before Israel crossed into the land of the Canaanites she became someone new in the promised land. She is also the author ofHalloween: Harmless Fun or Risky Business? It will give you a glimpse into what life may have been like for those first families who had to settle the land while the army remained on the move. Partly because of her reputation as a prostitute but also because of the restraints put on women in those times. She began as a Canaanite Prostitute and from her faith and a scarlet rope saved her entire family. They were also places of judgment. she turned out to be amazing. Sexual sin was deeply embedded in Canaanite culture. As an Amazon affiliate I earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. The color scarlet was often associated with sin and judgment in the Bible, but in this case it represented Rahabs faith in God and her willingness to protect His people. By hiding them on the roof (under stalks of flax)of her house, Rahab was able to protect them from being discovered by the soldiers who were searching for them. 50+ random facts - fun facts. We take those $ and give them to developing our Children's Programs. Its not the tree that stands out, but the stories attached to it, each pointing to the faithfulness of God and His love for us. In addition to the hurdle of finding actual work, Rahab would also have to find enough favor with the Israelite people to be allowed to dwell among them. Too often our opinion of God is based on what other peopleour family, pastor, church members, the worldsays about Him. The story of Rahab reminds us that faith doesnt always make sense (in my experience, it never does). (We'll wait while you go get that globe.) Rahab knew what was going on. This story highlights Gods power and might as well as His faithfulness to His people. 1. Courageous Rahab was courageous, as she hid the spies and lied to the kings soldiers. Actually, lets rephrase that. Rahab helped the spies escape over the city wall with the aid of a crimson cord lowered through her window, but not before the spies told her that she needed to hang that same scarlet cord in her window when they invaded. If this is so apparent to a common prostitute, why do the people of Jericho resist this all . Michael A. Milton (PhD, Wales) is a long-time Presbyterian minister (PCA) and a regular contributor to Salem Web Network. Its a Hebrew commentary that speaks to the literal translation of the Bible. She and her husband became the parents of a boy named Boaz. Where in The Book of Judges is the account of Rahab Found? 2. One thinks of Audens remarkable poem, The Fall of Rome, when the movement of herds on the European tundra marked the march of Goths and Visigoths: Altogether elsewhere, vast herds of reindeer move across miles and miles of golden moss, silently and very fast.. You will want to dive into the story of Gods people to remind you of His awesome power. Righteous Rahab was righteous, as evidenced by her later conversion to faith in God. They say Gods grace covers our sin so it doesnt really matter how we live. We see this played out throughout history, and it continues to happen today. The events recorded in Esther are celebrated each year with a holiday called Purim. While we cannot be certain, it is possible that she was motivated to help the Israelites because she wanted to protect her loved ones from harm. Hospitable Rahab was hospitable, as she provided lodging for the spies. In Rahabs day, it was normal for women to be bought and sold for sex (or even marriage). We only know what the Bible reveals. 1. In addition, she is a great example of the power of God to transform us from our sinful state into the person He wants us to be. Faith requires a belief in God and that God exists. Why is knowing about the various characters in the Bible important. A fairly popular one at that. Either way, it is clear that Rahab was involved in prostitution. 4. Rahab had faith! We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Strange but true, the official flag of the United States was designed by Robert G. Heft in 1958 while Heft was a junior in high school. This is a BIG DEAL. My guess is youve heard her described much differently. See, despite her many shortcomings, there is one character of Rahabs that Christian women in a sin-driven world should be eager to adopt: Abandon. Do you have the courage to stay the course? For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. Rahab was from Jericho. So here we are 40 years later, a new generation of Israelites (with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, none of the Israelites from the previous generation were still alive). #hebrews12endurance, What is Idolatry? Thus, we read of Rahabs identity in the New Testament: By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies (Hebrews 11:31 ESV). 32 Interesting Facts About Noah and His Ark Andrew Krehbiel 6 MinutesRead Updated: December 12, 2022 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. Hence, it is strange that a Harlot, a Canaanite, and a liar is known as a distinguished Bible figure. Are you ready to dig in? Ive been digging on Rahab and had questions and you addresses many of them. How could it be that Rahab the prostitute became Rahab, the mother of Boaz? The American flag. That's right. Still, the people of Jericho may have felt as if they could hide behind their walls. Rahab occupies an interesting place in the mind and heart of the modern church. a. Moses had passed and appointed Joshua as the new leader of Israel and with Gods blessing and instruction the Israelites were again preparing to enter Canaan (the Promised Land), starting with Jericho. When something is abandoned it is no longer receiving the nurture it needs to grow. click here and print our free Rahab Bible study pdf worksheet! 66. She trusted that God would see beyond what everyone else saw and choose to save her over all the people in Jericho. Im sure that someone who had a reputation as a prostitute would have had difficulties shaking off the labels placed on her by society. Instead of occupying the land as instructed, they convinced themselves they werent strong enough and opted to return to Egypt; the land God had just freed them from (see Numbers chapters 13 & 14). Did you know that Rahab is one of the most celebrated women in the Bible? Covenants In the Bible (Starting In Genesis), Nimrod and the Story of the Tower of Babel, 6 Examples of True Repentance in the Bible. Here's quick list of some fun facts about Rahab Villacres's birthday you must know including detailed age calculation, western astrology, roman numeral, birthstone and birth flower. Baby flamingos are born grey, not pink. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Joshua 2:8-11. It may very well have been that Rahab was "a religious prostitute in pagan practices. Its also a misunderstanding of the actual gospel message. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath (Joshua 2:9-11 ESV). You might think from her profession that she was destined to die an early death, to fade away into shame, the disgraced woman. Get our free Rahab Bible Study pdf worksheets! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Alonda Tanner is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. But most importantly, city gates were places where people would come to meet with God Himself. 5. Radames fabricates a story to tell Jerichos king, but Hammurabi doesnt believe itand he has his eye on the beautiful Rahab. After summarizing what Jericho had heard about God's people, Rahab made the most shocking statement of all. Rahab hid the spies and saved them from the king in exchange for her life and her familys. The Wall of Jericho was a fortified wall that surrounded the ancient city of Jericho. This was especially important at night when the gates would be closed and only those with the proper credentials would be allowed to enter. I am so glad that God gives us a second chance no matter our past. She was a prostitute who became a believer and played a key role in the Israelite conquest of Jericho. Until the 1980s, it was illegal for a. One of the more disturbing yet interesting fun facts: All the hair on your head is dead, except for the follicles. 8. When the Israelites approach Canaan with their army, Pharaoh sends word that he is withdrawing his troops. So if youre feeling like youre not good enough or youve made too many mistakes, remember Rahabs story and know that there is always hope with God. 5. Yet, this is the woman whose door the two spies chose to knock on. If they want another lobster to know that they're happy or sad or angry or interested in a relationship, they say it with pee! When playing with female puppies, male puppies will often let them win, even if they have a physical advantage. Rahab is a Canaanite prostitute who becomes faithful to the God of Israel, hiding two Israelite spies when the king of Jericho sends men to capture them. We talk about making an impact finding purpose in life but seldom do we realize that to walk out the things God created us for often requires us to abandon things of this world that define us; the culture we live in, our own ideologies, status, and even how we view ourselves. Jesus' own lineage shows how God powerfully uses us despite our past. The Bible calls her Rahab the prostitute because that was her defining trait. We dont typically hear the word abandon being used to describe positive behavior. A purchase? The Law of Moses states without ambiguity: 'No Ammonite or Moabite shall be admitted to the assembly of . An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country. Joshua 2:1-2. They had the chance to occupy it once before under the leadership of Moses, but despite Gods promise fear got the best of them. How did Rahab show faith? Living purposefully for Christ starts with laying down all that was, and clinging to all that He is. What is the path that lies ahead of you? She identified the spies for what they were, hid them, and had a convincing story ready with which to deceive the king's men. There is no more touching story of God's glorious grace than the genealogical introduction to the birth of Jesus by faith through the line of Joseph in Matthew chapter 1. And we must always remember that this woman, rehab, was chosen by Almighty God to be a chosen instrument in bringing about salvation to the ends of the earth. Id love to find out where you got that from. Dont get me wrong, Hannahs my girlthe woman I want to grow up to be when I grow up and over the years, Ive come to a have reluctant compassion for Penninah. Now, this isnt just any woman, shes a harlot. Piraha. Im not sure how that happened but Im glad you both were searching and found the right verse! This tells me that God allotted each of us a measure of faith. These colors are historically an important symbol of France. FUN FACTS ABOUT Rahab Auguste She was born on Sept. 7th 1970 Her favorite artist was Prince and she had a crush on Ralph Tresvant from New Edition as a teen. This has really open up my eyes to the goodness of God. First, this story teaches us that God is faithful to His promises. Attention, class! Rahab is praised for her faith in Hebrews 11:31. In Psalm 87:4 Rahab is likened to Babylon which was destroyed in the sixth century BC. <3 Glad to hear this post was helpful! 23. This raises an important question: did Rahab have any family in Jericho? In this story, Rahab is a prostitute who lives in Jericho. What if she was actually the descendant of Joseph, a member of the Ephraimite tribe? The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). This was in keeping with Gods command that all the inhabitants of Canaan be destroyed. Of course, the Canaanites were infamous for cultic prostitution related to idolatrous worship. 3 Profound Reasons Idolatry is a Sin, 23 Encouraging Bible Verses About Endurance, Consider Your Ways: 3 Simple Tips for Introspection, 4 Simple Ways to Share the Faith With Your Family. Abraham met with God at the city gate of Hebron (Genesis 18:1), and when Moses wanted to meet with God, he had to go outside the camp and wait by the city gate (Exodus 33:7). And so if you ask me, "How could God possibly use me? Forgive my blunt language but when it all boiled down to it, that was the choice Rahabs family had to make: To save her familys lives, Rahab managed to convince her whole family two things: The story of Rahab is about one womans courage and her actions that saved her entire family. What was the Purpose of the Scarlet Cord? Rahab hid the Israelite spies before they crossed the Jordan River. It means not fighting in our own physical strength but instead; trusting and leaning into Gods might. Rahab the prostitute knew her only chance for survival was to ask the spies to protect her. Rahab is the first Gentile recorded in the Bible as having converted to Judaism. For Rahab trusted in God who fulfilled the covenantal promise to Abraham that he would be given land from which would bring a nation, and a descendant, who would bless the earth. Of all the things Rahab left behind, I bet this was the one she was most happy to let go of. Read the fullaffiliate disclosure. As if that wasnt enough risk, Rahab goes on to help the spies create a strategic and safe return home (Joshua 2:14-16). And we can become a blessing to others. With no available Jewish men in her town, she marries Radames, a young Egyptian officer who is the new governor of Jericho. A terrific study does it ever say how did she become a harlot in the first place. For we have heard how the, dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who, on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon, and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. The French flag is called "le tricolore". It could be that Rahab was coerced into her lifestyle. Rahabs story is a picture of Gods plan of redemption, available to anyone who will believe Him by faith. How many persons would have thought to hide someone under stalks of flax (Joshua 2:6)? Polar bear fur is actually clear, and their skin is black. City gates were also places of worship. Also, my 14 year old niece pointed out that the Matthew scripture reference should be Matthew 16:25 instead of Matthew 17:32-33 (which doesnt exist). Subscribe to the CompellingTruth.org Newsletter: Many people are familiar with the story of the Israelites marching around the city of Jericho to bring down the walls. 20. Shutterstock. It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky. 6. It also demonstrates that even when things seem hopeless, we can trust that God is in control and He will always help us achieve victory. She wasnt a woman in the highest echelons of society, yet she was willing to risk her life for what she believed. 80 Interesting Facts About Life That Will Surprise You Human Body Facts. The rabbis imagine her as a superhumanly seductive woman who knows the secrets of all the men in Jericho, as well as the ultimate example of repentance. A Biblical prostitute or just an innkeeper? This is a misunderstanding of Gods grace. This suggests that she was close to her family and may have still been living with them. It was a month after Moses ' death, and the Jews prepared themselves for the invasion of Canaan.True, it was the "Promised Land," which Gd Himself had . The three wealthiest families in the world have more assets than the combined wealth of the forty-eight poorest nations. She is Known as one of the women of the bible, many women copied the Faith Rahab. She lived in a totally corrupt society that engaged in every kind of sexual perversion and idol worship which included child sacrifice. Rahab was a creative problem solver. However, one woman, Rahab, was spared because she had helped the Israelite spies who had come to reconnaissance the city before their conquest. One of the most important stories in the Bible is the story of the 12 spies. One of God's good girls. When they came back and gave an evil report, He was just in His punishment of them. So thankful faith is available for all of us! Rahab was a prostitute who lived in Jericho during the time of the Israelite Exodus from Egypt. He is the ultimate judge of character, and He can redeem even the most unlikely people for His purposes.