Imagine being stuck in a city where everyone brands you a disgrace. The women roll their eyes and call you a husband snatcher. Some men use you as a bad example on what not to become in life at daddy-daughter time, yet come knocking at your door in the middle of the night begging to be let in. That was Rahab’s life, the Canaanite woman who lived in Jericho as a prostitute.
It doesn’t end in tears though because she later became a biblical heroine. Going by her actions to redeem herself through betraying her people, the oldest life-sucking profession must have been belittling and humiliating. When she got an opportunity to redeem herself, she grabbed it with all her might and with tact.
Ever been in a tough situation that felt humiliating, one that seemed to never end? Well, you will agree with me that when the slightest opportunity avails itself, you jump on it like a mosquito on sweet smelling skin.
When Joshua sent men to scout out the land of Jericho before the Israelites crossed the Jordan, the safest hiding place for them was to spend the night at the house of the prostitute. Rahab hid them, helped them escape and thus, saved their lives. The streets were already talking of how these Israelites would take up the land of Jericho- Rahab played smart.
Rahab was no fool though, she knew she could redeem her life and save her loved ones from shame and death. Her negotiation skills were put to good use.
Read More: https://thelovetablet.com/2022/06/14/10-thriving-businesswomen-of-the-bible/
Joshua 6:17-25: And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.” So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword. ...
Rahab Saved the Spies and Her Family Through 5 Negotiating Skills
- Rahab build rapport- one of the most valuable negotiation skills to master. She hosted the spies and hid them under the flax drying on her roof. She misled the king’s men telling them that the two men had left and that the king’s men should chase them.
- She understood the process. When engaging the spies, Rahab explained that her people already knew that God would give Israel the land of Jericho. They had heard about the events of the Red Sea and the defeat of the other kingdoms by the Israelites- the powerful kings of the Amorites. This was a key message and strategic tool that the spies took back to Joshua.
- Rahab negotiated the process. She discussed boldly the procedural task of saving her family with the spies. She begged them to remember her kindness to them and to save her family when they took over the city. The spies agreed to save them and gave her a crimson thread to hang from her window, gather her family and wait inside her house in order to be spared.
- Rahab searched for a smart trade-off. Rahab let the two men out through her window on the town wall and directed them on how to evade the ruler of Jericho.
- Planning the implementation stage. By placing a red cord out her window, Rahab secured herself and her family’s safety. When the city of Jericho fell, Rahab and her whole family were saved and became included among the Jewish people.
- Win-Win outcome. From harlot to heroine, grass to grace, Rahab became a godly wife and mother in Israel. She was married to Salmon, an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. They had a boy named Boaz. Boaz later on married Ruth (Ruth 4). And, so it established, the line of Jesus. What a transformation!
Read More: https://thelovetablet.com/2023/01/31/the-favor-of-god-wipes-away-shame-and-makes-you-great-part-ii/
Characteristics of Rahab
- Rahab became a prophetic voice on Israel’s occupation of the land of Jericho.
- Rahab had faith and wanted a new beginning from a despicable way of life.
- Rahab knowing the true nature of the God of Israel, obeyed him whole heartedly.
- Rahab understood her reputation and was earnestly seeking redemption.
- Rahab was a leader. She owned a house, worked at saving her household and committed to serving God with the foreigners. She acted as head of her household.
- A master negotiator. Rahab did not waste time when the opportunity presented itself to save herself and her people.
Through Rahab, God proves that no one is a lost cause. He has redeemed prostitutes, murderers and all manner of evil doers. Rahab is a true example of being saved by God’s grace and mercy.
Read More: https://thelovetablet.com/2022/05/31/judge-not-judging-the-right-judgement/
Verses About Rahab
Hebrews 11:31: By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. Joshua 2:1-24: And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. And it was told to the king of Jericho, “Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” James 2:25: And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? Joshua 6:23: So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. And they brought all her relatives and put them outside the camp of Israel. Matthew 1: 1-25: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,… Joshua 6:25: But Rahab the prostitute and her father's household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. Isaiah 51:9: Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon?
Read More: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2023/01/10/4-common-barriers-to-effective-communication/
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