Is there hope for the Prostitute??
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· 35 viewsThe Virgin Birth assures you a release from your present past and your distant past.
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Introduction:
Introduction:
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1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa. 8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah became the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor. 14 Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud. 15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob. 16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
Now
-In the Western World genealogies/family tree are important to us, as a means of locating family and staying in contact but for the most part we are not near as religious about studying “who are people are than those in near ancient cultures”
-But in some small sense he have all had this happen to us.... Someone says “who are your people” and then you say I am a Johnson. Who is your Daddy?? His name is Michael. And then they say “Boy you look just like your Daddy. Talk like him, smile like, and silly just like him.....
-In some ways even in the Western World we often determine someone’s future based on “who there people are” The Jews were just like this times 4.......
Then
-Since Judaism is not only a religious community but an ethnic group that claims descent from common ancestry, there has been significant interest in tracing Jewish descent. To this day there are Jews who trace their descent from the ancient tribe of priests (kohanim) and levites (leviim) of the Jewish Bible and who still receive special recognition in areas such as the Jewish synagogue service.[2]
-Some Jewish families have preserved traditions relating to their tribal affiliation, based on partial genealogical records passed down generation after generation. In Yemen, for example, some Jews trace their lineage to Judah, others to Benjamin, while yet others to Levi and Reuben. Of particular interest is one distinguished Jewish family of Yemen who traced their lineage to Bonai, one of the sons of Peretz, the son of Judah.[4]
-So much of Religious life of the Jews was built upon “who your people were” Priestly Tribes, King Tribe and inheritance rights in the Future Kingdom were determined by birth rites.
-Matthew knew that, and that is why he begins his book with a genealogy. He is essentially saying it is not important “who’s family you are born in, but have you been born again”
-Look at (v.1) he comes right out of the gate. He does not guise his Thesis, nor hide his argument. “ 1The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
-Matthew is actually preaching the Gospel of our Lord inside the genealogy
1The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
-You will notice 5 breaks in the genealogy
-(v.3) By Tamar- Immoral Deceiver( a shullamite-gentile)
-(v.5) by Rahab a Prostitute(Canaanite)
-(v.5) by Ruth a destitute Moabitess(gentile)
-(v.6) by Bathsheba an adulterer(Gileonite married to a Hittite)
-(v.16) of Mary a perceived fornicator( a title for which she never could run from)
-At least a couple of things consistent with all these woman-Either they were Gentile, bore children under suspicious condition, or they were woman at the bottom of social ladder based on their occupations.
-Matthew was making the overriding point that God uses trash and makes it treasure.
-Today we are going to study one of these women
Always-The Virgin Birth assures you a release from your present past and your distant past.
I. Rahab’s Profession
I. Rahab’s Profession
Joshua 2:1-3
1 Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there. 2 It was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” 3 And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.”
Joshua 2:
15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall.
-Context of Jewish Conquest
-(v.1) Joshua sent out two men to spy out the land. Most likely after some days of hiding in the woods and spying the activity of Jericho vis a vis: Soldier Movement, Supply Movement into the city, and what time the gates closed every evening, They probably noticed this home that had a lot of men coming and going out of the home.
-(v.1) “So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there.” This was a very smart move on behalf of the spies in that her house was know for a high amount of male visitors on a nightly basis. You will notice the last phrase “and lodged there” So the plan was to lay low in this Prostitute home and study the battlefield from within the city walls.
-There were actually to sets of walls in Jericho. The outer wall and the inner wall. Wood beams would be between the two walls all the way up to the tops of the walls. Notice (v.15) Rahab home was built right into the wall with her roof being level with the top of the city walls. From her window she could see outside of the wall. Her house was probably on the outer walls due to her profession.
-(v.1) “into the house of a Harlot, whose name was Rahab” There is some debate about this term “Harlot” the Hebrew word underneath our english translation can sometimes refer to an inn keeper, and some scholar’s prefer that interpretation because they cannot stomach the ramifications of this women being in the genealogy of Jesus......There are a couple of lines of evidence that refute this claim as Rahab just being a hotel manager:
OT usage- “18You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God for any votive offering, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God’
18“You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God for any votive offering, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God
NT Usage-Hebrews 11:31 “31By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.... “25In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
-The NT writers of Hebrews(Unknown) and James(the brother of Jesus) both used the phrase “Rahab the prostitute” The greek word- “porna” from which we get our word “porno”
25In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
31By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
-One has to wonder why if she was just an “innkeeper” would these writers continue to attach her career choice to her name. What I see is that the writers of Joshua, Matthew, Hebrews & James does not want you to forget her occupation. They are trying to communicate something about her and God by continuing to use her occupation by her name.....When you know that overriding purpose of the God that will help you ascertain why the writers would do this: The primary purpose of the Bible is to bring Glory to God via written stories, poems, proverbs, and doctrines. He is the central character of the Biblical Narrative. Because every book is inspired to the HS he is point all glory back to God, so the writer of scripture felt it necessary to continual point out who this woman was, and what she was able to do under the power of God.....Now look back at the scriptures in Hebrews & James: Both the writers of Hebrews & James were espousing the example the Rahab set as a woman of great faith despite her past history. This is testimony to the power and glory of God, that he would use such an unlikely person.
-It is safe to conclude based on this evidence that “Rahab is a lady of the evening”
-(v.1) One must also grapple with “why her house” admittedly there was a tactical reason in that her house was known for a lot of male activity. The spies probably felt they could just hide out without being discovered, but from a spiritual point of view it was absolutely God’s will for them to stay in the “house of harlot” you can start to see the foreshadowing her of a future reality
19 “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
-(v.2-3) The King of Jericho got word from his spies, that some suspicious men were lodged in the house of Rahab. The King gets word over to Rahab give those men up or there is going to be some problems.
-(v.3) “for they have come to search out all the land” The King of Jericho probably had spies all through the land monitoring the movement of the Jewish people. He probably even knew when they left the wilderness. He was on edge with fear.
-Rahab had a decision to make:
a. Do I give up the men so that I can maintain my lucrative brothel?
b. Do I take the chance of being a traitor, death to conceal these spies?
Application-Contemporary Rephrase of the same question to us
a. Should I reject God’s call so that I can maintain my lifestyle, career, relationships, and future?
b. Should I embrace God’s which could lead to lose of job, career, family, friends, and quite possible my own life.
Transition Statement: Rahab must have grappled with this decision, but her action in the next verses seemed like she made up her mind
II. Rahab’s Profession of Faith
II. Rahab’s Profession of Faith
II. Rahab’s Verbal Profession
II. Rahab’s Verbal Profession
4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 “It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” 6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. 7 So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate. 8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. 10 “For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 “When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.
4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 “It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” 6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. 7 So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate. 8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. 10 “For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 “When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 “Now therefore, please swear to me by the Lord, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, 13 and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the Lord gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” 15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not happen upon you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. Then afterward you may go on your way.” 17 The men said to her, “We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear,
Joshua 2:
4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 “It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” 6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. 7 So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate. 8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. 10 “For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 “When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 “Now therefore, please swear to me by the Lord, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, 13 and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the Lord gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” 15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not happen upon you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. Then afterward you may go on your way.” 17 The men said to her, “We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear,
Joshua 2:4-
-(v.4) Rahab made up her mind. She made a decision take her life into her own hands and defy “the king of Jericho” she made a decision to hide the spies, And then she lied to the Spies. She admitted that the men came to her, but she didn’t know where they came from
-(v.5-7) The Ruse---The men left before the gate closed and you better go chase them down
-(v.6) Rahab hide them under the Flax on the roof. She put them under the Flax because she knew the kings’ men would search the premises even the roof of her house.
-(v.8-11) Rahab Profession:
a. Yahweh is Sovereign- “I know that the Lord has given you the land
b. Yahweh is Omnipotent- “that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you”
Rahab is a example of “the just shall live by faith” Notice (v.10 & 11) “for he have heard”
c.
c. Yahweh is the only God- “for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” This is a powerful profession from Rahab. She is a pagan polytheist. She has been taught and raised in a system that believe in many Gods, and the each God was responsible for creating the things visible in the world.......Rahab by this profession is intentionally laying aside her traditions, teaching, history, culture, and family to embrace a Monotheistic understanding of Elohim. Rahab is worshipping the God of Israel, and she is already practicing the change that has been rote in her heart in relationship to her new allegiance.
Transition Statement- Rahab pleads for mercy on her and her family
III. Rahab’s Proposal
III. Rahab’s Proposal
III. Rahab’s Proposal
III. Rahab’s Proposal
12 “Now therefore, please swear to me by the Lord, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, 13 and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the Lord gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” 15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not happen upon you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. Then afterward you may go on your way.” 17 The men said to her, “We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear,
Joshua 2:
-(v.12-13) Rahab stands in the gap for her family. Rahab has given these men intel and protection, And ask for a pledge from the men that they will deal kindly with her family for the kindness that she has bestow to them.
What was Rahab essentially asking?
-Rahab was asking for more than just being spared. That word Kindly- Hesed in the Hebrew which means unfailing help to a needy covenant partner. Rahab was asking to be treated like she was part of the Jewish Community being a Canaanite. She was essentially asking to be adopted.
unfailing help to a needy covenant partner
Bruce K. Waltke, “Joshua,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 239.
-(v.14) The men respond by essentially saying “If you keep our plans private we will deal kindly with you” you and your family will be taken care of
-(v.15) “Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall” At this point the city gates have probably closed so she lets the men down from the window of her house which was embedded in the city walls.
IV. Rahab’s Protection
IV. Rahab’s Protection
Joshua 2:18-
17 The men said to her, “We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear, 18 unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household. 19 “It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 “But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear.” 21 She said, “According to your words, so be it.” So she sent them away, and they departed; and she tied the scarlet cord in the window. 22 They departed and came to the hill country, and remained there for three days until the pursuers returned. Now the pursuers had sought them all along the road, but had not found them. 23 Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country and crossed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they related to him all that had happened to them. 24 They said to Joshua, “Surely the Lord has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.”
Joshua 2:17-
18 unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household. 19 “It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 “But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear.” 21 She said, “According to your words, so be it.” So she sent them away, and they departed; and she tied the scarlet cord in the window. 22 They departed and came to the hill country, and remained there for three days until the pursuers returned. Now the pursuers had sought them all along the road, but had not found them. 23 Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country and crossed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they related to him all that had happened to them. 24 They said to Joshua, “Surely the Lord has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.”
-(v.17-18) The men had two conditions for Rahab
a. Keep our business private
b. Replace the rope with this Scarlet Cord
Question: What was the promise from the Men????
-(v.18-19) If we see the cord all those from your family that are in your house will be saved. The requirement is that they stay in the house during the judgement of Jericho. If a person leaves the house their blood will be on their own head.
-(v.21) Rahab submits to their request “So she sent them away, and they departed; and she tied the scarlet cord in the window.”
Doctrinal Teaching: The Scarlet Cord
-This is another anti-type or foreshadowing of something coming better at a later date.
-These men are recreating “The Passover” when the Death Angel came and killed the first born of Egypt. The command was to take the blood of a first born sheep and spread it around the doorpost.
-Even the command by these men to make sure that all your family stays in the house.
-The is also a foreshadowing of Yahweh extending the atonement to all ethnic groups.
Sidenote: Notice how quick Rahab put the cord up. She could have waited. She knew that it would be at least three days before the men could get back to the Israelite stronghold and tell the Joshua about the Jericho. She could have waited. She put that cord up immediately.
-This was Rahab’s way of saying I wanna be ready. I don’t want to be caught by surprise. I am not waiting, nor am I going to try and time it to preserve my own life.
-Every-time the troops marched around Jericho before the walls came down they would have seen the scarlet cord, signifying to them not just leave her alone, but preserve her life and offer her a new life
Let’s what happened to Rahab????
17 “The city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the Lord; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.
Joshua 6:
-( v.17) Joshua reminds the soldiers do not touch Rahab
22 Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the harlot’s house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her.” 23 So the young men who were spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and her mother and her brothers and all she had; they also brought out all her relatives and placed them outside the camp of Israel.
Joshua 6
-(v.22-23) Joshua sent the two spies who originally went to the home of Rahab. They brought Rahab and all her relatives, extended family an all. They placed her outside of the camp, because she was ceremonially unclean.
-Part of the requirement for their Salvation was that they stay in the house. This tells us that Rahab had done an exceptional job of evangelizing her own family, convincing them that the God is Israel was the Only True God.
Joshua
25 However, Rahab the harlot and her father’s household and all she had, Joshua spared; and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day, for she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
-(v.25) Rahab lived the rest of her days as a Jewish Proselyte. If that wasn’t enough the Lord favor continued to be poured on this Canaanite Prostitute.
-Let’s not forget in Jericho and in Israel a former Prostitute would not be considered marriage material, but look at the favor God bestow on Rahab.
4 Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse.
Who was Nashon Rahab father-n law?
10 Ram became the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, leader of the sons of Judah; 11 Nahshon became the father of Salma, Salma became the father of Boaz,
-(v.10) Notice what it says about Nahshon “leader of the sons of Judah”that word leader- “Nasi”which means chief, prince, or Captain. Moses anointed this man as the leader of the preeminent tribe of Israel.
-The Talmud-The Jewish history book, and commentary says that it was Nahshon who went into the water first at the Red Sea and went head deep into the water before the Lord started to split the sea.
-Rahab married Nahshon son Salmon. Meaning Rahab married into the preeminent tribe of Israel, and she married the Prince of the tribes son Salmon. The line is also the direct line all the way to Joseph the legal father of our Lord Jesus.
Conclusion
The birth of Jesus is more than a story about little baby being born into the world. It is a story of “Grace”. For the Son of man did not come to save those that are well, but he came to saved the sick.
-Only God could take a former Prostitute and she end up:
God causes two Israelite spies to lodge at her place as a response to Rahab faith.
God uses the two men to rescue Rahab under the leadership of Joshua, and her family during the siege-by his Grace
God convicts Joshua to extend “hesed” to Rahab by including her into the covenant community....By his grace
God convicts Salmon the Son of Nahshon to take Rahab as his bride- by his Grace
God causes her to conceive Boaz, who fathered Obed, who fathered Jesse, who became the father of Israel greatest King, David....all by his grace.
If that wasn’t enough God caused the writer of Hebrews and James to give Rahab a shout out in the NT honoring her faith…By his Grace.
-So you see this what I mean when I say the Bible is ultimately a book about Our Lord......Matthew wants us to leave after reading the genealogy of Jesus astounded by the grace of God. All of Jesus people didn’t have the most prestigious pasts.
-You got some murders, Prostitutes, Liars, Drunks, and whoremongers and deceivers. And yet “By his Grace” he used them all.
Closing-Open the doors of the church