Courageous Faith

By Naomi Craig

Elias van Nijmegen - Verspieders ontsnappen uit Jericho - 11102 - Museum Rotterdam.jpg, Wikimedia

We all know Rahab was a harlot.
We all know her courageous faith in hiding the Hebrew spies gets her a place in Jesus' lineage


But what about leading up to the walls of Jericho crashing down?
What about after?


Specifically I want to look at the Israelites before they crossed over the Jordan and marched around the city for seven days.


Did you know just a couple of weeks prior to them crossing into the promised land they got themselves in trouble with the Moabite ladies? 24,000 of them were killed with a plague because they were consorting with idols and the ladies.


This appears to be the last of the generation who the Lord promised would perish in the desert in the 40 years of wandering.


                                

Foster Bible Pictures 0084-1 Rahab Helping the Two Israelite Spies, Wikimedia

Fast forward to the part where a harlot is promised safety and belonging among the nation.


Say what? Why would they be inclined to accept her into their community?


All those who made it into the Promised Land knew their fathers and mothers wouldn't make it into Canaan. Those who were left would have been hyper-sensitive to falling in sin's grasp


I imagine they would have been real hesitant to accept a Canaanite Harlot without suspicion.

                                      

Luggage porter, Wikimedia

And what about Rahab? Not only was she learning a new culture and a new religion, I'm sure she had all kinds of baggage from her former profession to work through. Several millennia before counselling and therapists.

To shift the narrative, what of her Biblical husband, Salmah? 

Salmah was the son of Nahshon, was the appointed leader of the tribe of Judah as the Israelites fled Egypt. (Who was also in the generation who didn't make it into the Promised Land). So what call would the high-ranking son of the leader of Judah have to marry a lady of Rahab's... shall we say...pedigree?

Figure, advertising (AM 2007.17.19-1), Wikimedia

Did he see himself as the hero who rescued her from her horrible situation?

Did he think about all the baggage she'd be bringing with her? 

Did he struggle with her past?

I love Rahab and Salmah's story because it shows God's EXTRAVAGANT redemption. 

Even if your life is a hot mess, and you have no idea if you will even make it through today, take courage! God can take your mess and make it a message. Your test can become a testimony. 

God has a good plan for you and maybe it's real dark right now, but He will finish what He started in your life. 

Christian cross at Salagou Lake cf01

This is my last post with Heroes, Heroines and History. I've loved getting to know you all in this fabulous community. I'm in an incredibly busy season and I'm clearing out the things and looking to implement the "one thing necessary"

I'm sure I'll see you around online!

Hurry!

Today is the last day to enter this giveaway! 

17 Winners

I Spy With My Little Eye some other fabulous HHH bloggers!

April's Promise 

by Terrie Todd

The Damsel's Intent 

by Mary Davis

Hills of Nevermore 

by Janalyn Voight

Rahab's Courage

by Naomi Craig

Enter this great giveaway! Ends today

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, and pastor's wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi is the founder of Biblical Fiction Aficionados Community on Facebook and co-hosts #BehindTheStory on YouTube. When not writing or trying to wrangle social media, Naomi attempts to get her rescue dogs to be cute on command for the many pics she takes throughout the day.