We’ve now met two women lucky enough to be a part of Jesus’ family tree. One of these women, Tamar, acted like a prostitute and the other, Rahab, was an actual prostitute. What should we make of this? Simply, that God doesn’t pick perfect people to serve Him. Instead, He sees us as the women we are meant to be, not always as the women we currently are. How freeing that is! Both women went on to accomplish great things. Tamar’s deception forced Judah to reevaluate his life and sent him on a course that made history. Rahab’s actions ultimately helped the Israelites capture Jericho and enter into the Promised Land. As a mother, Rahab’s godliness continued to be reflected in her son, Boaz. But I’m getting ahead of myself. God may have chosen Rahab while she was still a prostitute, but he didn’t leave her there. God knew Rahab’s heart; her profession was irrelevant. Rahab experienced “Extreme Makeover: God’s Edition”and you can too.

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1Samuel 16:7

So, what can we learn from Rahab’s story?
1. God will use people to minister to you and He will use you to minister to others. I’m sure Rahab had no idea that these spies she helped would change her life and bring her closer to God. When my husband’s grandfather, Pop Pop, passed away last year, we learned of an individual who had been praying for him to receive Christ for over 60 years. At the age of 80, he finally did. You never know how God is working in your life and how he is using you to work in the lives of others.
2. The choices we make in a split second are based on what we already know and believe. Rahab already had faith and believed in God when she met the spies: “. . .for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Joshua 2:11 What is the state of your faith? Would you have made the same decision? If not, invite God in. Open your heart to what God is saying to you. Think about all of the decisions you make each day-are they based on a faith that knows that Jesus is The One?
3. God is calling you to join Him. What is God calling you to do? Maybe you don’t know or maybe you are scared to take a risk. If it is the latter, Rahab is an excellent example of bravery. Think about the courage it took to not only hide the spies, but then to lie about it to the authorities. You can be brave like Rahab. Start by putting God in the small things: making dinner, sitting in carpool, doing your job, volunteering, etc. You don’t have to do great things to be great in God’s eyes. Do what you do for Him, and He will be pleased. God is calling you, and you don’t have to be perfect to fulfill His purpose!
4. You have to let go of the old to become new. Rahab is repeatedly labeled, “Rahab, the prostitute.” What a horrific label! However, by the time Matthew mentions Rahab in his lineage of Jesus, she is simply referred to as the mother of Boaz. What label are you unable to release? God wants you to let go of the labels, the pain, the bad decisions and the guilt. This is not what God sees! Remember, He already sees you as the woman He created you to be!
5. God loves you deeply and passionately. Whether you are an outcast like Rahab, a stay-at-home mom, a CEO or none of the above, God offers you His grace. Accept this gift and your life will be changed forever. Rahab, amidst all her sin, was loved by our gracious God. He chose her and He chooses you too.

Join us this Thursday at Thrive as we meet Rahab’s daughter-in-law Ruth, another faithful and courageous woman in Jesus’ family tree. Questions about Thrive? Contact Lisa Marshall lisamarshall812@yahoo.com.