Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Rahab


Rahab is the next woman listed in Jesus' genealogy.
Read her story in Joshua 2, 6:15-25.
Lets summarize her story. The Jewish people had been rescued by God out of Egypt. They were now about to invade the promise land. Jericho was the first city that they were going to attack. Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho. The Jewish people sent two spies to check out the area. These men visited Rahab. The king of Jericho found out about the two spies and obviously wanted to arresst them. Rahab hid the spies. She then made a deal that they would spare her and her familie's life when they invaded. They spies agreed and Rahab's family were the only surviors from Jericho.

Why would Matthew include a prostitute in Jesus' genealogy? Could he already be giving a hint that Jesus would be welcoming the morally questionable, like prostitutes? Could Matthew be highlighting that what matters is how we respond today when we see God moving, not our past (regardless if that past is good or bad - read Ezekiel 33:10-16)?

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