Imperfect
Read Joshua 2:1-21.
The second woman mentioned in Jesus' family tree was employed in what is sometimes called the world's oldest profession. Rehab was a prostitute. Now, how she got to that profession is anyone's guess. It could have been by choice, but in that culture it may more likely be that she was forced into it by a husband's death or the lack of any other kind of support. (There generally weren't other "jobs" available to women.) However she got into it, Rehab runs the guesthouse in Jericho, which is where the Hebrew spies go just before their ragtag army attacks the city.
Why do they end up at Rahab's place? Most likely, it's the place where all outsiders would go. She probably ran the equivalent of the local hotel. Much like in earlier days in parts of our own country, where the hotel would be in or over a tavern, strangers arrive in Jericho would go to the brothel to find a place to stay. It wouldn't have been unusual. In fact, when the local authorities come looking for these rumored spies, they know exactly where to look: Rahab's place.
When we consider that Matthew specifically includes Rehab in Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:5), this story gets even more amazing. It's a story that saves the lives of the spies (and, eventually, Rahab) through lying, deception and deal brokering. If the early church were interested in trying to paint as clean a picture of the people of God and especially of Jesus' lineage as they could, Rahab's story would have been a good one to skip. He did skip over some generations; we know that for a fact. Why include Rahab's story? Why include the story of a prostitute who lied to the authorities in essence to save her own skin?
I don't presume to know what was in Matthew's mind, but my guess is this: he did it because this is exactly the sort of person Jesus came for. This baby who was coming into the world was coming to save people like Rahab—imperfect but earnest people who want to know God. In other words, he came for you and for me and for Rahab and for the spies...and for everyone else who longs for a life that's better than what they know. He came to change the world—and he's still at it. He's still busy turning this imperfect world back around to the world God intended when he created it. Jesus is still saving imperfect people and changing imperfect lives.
Funny side note: As I was writing this, every time I typed "Rahab," autocorrect changed it to "Rehab." As I am currently participating in cardiac rehab, I find that funny and also thought-provoking, because "rehab" is part of what happened to "Rahab." As she committed her life to follow the God of the Hebrews, she found a different life, one that led to being included in the genealogy of the savior of the world. God is in the rehab business...even for Rahab!
 |
| Ruins of Jericho, 2017 |
Why do they end up at Rahab's place? Most likely, it's the place where all outsiders would go. She probably ran the equivalent of the local hotel. Much like in earlier days in parts of our own country, where the hotel would be in or over a tavern, strangers arrive in Jericho would go to the brothel to find a place to stay. It wouldn't have been unusual. In fact, when the local authorities come looking for these rumored spies, they know exactly where to look: Rahab's place.
When we consider that Matthew specifically includes Rehab in Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:5), this story gets even more amazing. It's a story that saves the lives of the spies (and, eventually, Rahab) through lying, deception and deal brokering. If the early church were interested in trying to paint as clean a picture of the people of God and especially of Jesus' lineage as they could, Rahab's story would have been a good one to skip. He did skip over some generations; we know that for a fact. Why include Rahab's story? Why include the story of a prostitute who lied to the authorities in essence to save her own skin?
I don't presume to know what was in Matthew's mind, but my guess is this: he did it because this is exactly the sort of person Jesus came for. This baby who was coming into the world was coming to save people like Rahab—imperfect but earnest people who want to know God. In other words, he came for you and for me and for Rahab and for the spies...and for everyone else who longs for a life that's better than what they know. He came to change the world—and he's still at it. He's still busy turning this imperfect world back around to the world God intended when he created it. Jesus is still saving imperfect people and changing imperfect lives.
Funny side note: As I was writing this, every time I typed "Rahab," autocorrect changed it to "Rehab." As I am currently participating in cardiac rehab, I find that funny and also thought-provoking, because "rehab" is part of what happened to "Rahab." As she committed her life to follow the God of the Hebrews, she found a different life, one that led to being included in the genealogy of the savior of the world. God is in the rehab business...even for Rahab!
Comments
Post a Comment