RAHAB: The Unlikely Hero

“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) Rahab was not an Israelite. She belonged to the land of Israel’s enemies. She lived an immoral life as a prostitute. And yet, when the time came, she stepped forward as a protector. Today, we honor her as a hero of faith.

 RAHAB'S LIE: Did God Approve It?

Rahab protected the spies through deception (Josh. 2:5–6). The pressing question is: Was her lie justified? Nowhere in Scripture do we read that God approved of her lying. Lying is sin, and it remains so regardless of the reasons behind it. The Bible simply records what happened—it does not endorse it. Just because her lie is mentioned in the story does not mean we are free to imitate it whenever we face difficult choices.

What the Bible commended was Rahab’s faith, not her lying. Her faith does not excuse her sin, but it must not be overlooked either, since Scripture places strong emphasis on it. Rahab recognized the God of Israel (Josh. 2:8–11). Out of conviction, she risked her life to side with Him—an extraordinary act of faith so remarkable that the New Testament still holds her up as an example (Heb. 11:31; James 2:25). Yet, just as Abraham, David, Jacob, and Moses were praised for their faith without every action of theirs being approved, the same principle applies to Rahab.

RAHAB AND THE HIGHER LAW

Some suggest that while lying is not right, Rahab may not be held accountable because she chose to obey a higher law—to preserve life. She was caught in a moral dilemma and chose the lesser evil (lying and civil disobedience) to accomplish the greater good (saving lives). God, being just and merciful, understood her circumstances and the motive behind her actions.

A parallel case can be seen in the Hebrew midwives who lied to Pharaoh to save Hebrew infants (Ex. 1:15–21). God did not bless them for lying but because they feared Him and could not bring themselves to kill the babies. As Scripture notes: “And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own” (v. 21).God’s blessings came to Rahab in spite of her lying, not because of it. He saved Rahab and her household, and He gave her a new life. These blessings flowed from His grace to the undeserving, not as a reward for her deception—or her former life as a prostitute. God never condones sin, but by faith, even the greatest of sins can be forgiven. Rahab believed in God and received His mercy.

RAHAB'S LEGACY

Rahab’s story is a testimony of God’s love for the undeserving. It is also proof that He rewards acts of faith. Rahab not only gained a new life, but she was also given the extraordinary honor of becoming an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, of the Savior Himself (Matt. 1:5, 17). Her courage cannot be denied. Her bravery should challenge us today to stand for what is right, even in the face of difficulty. Stay Curious.