By Faith, Rahab and the Rest . . .
Read Hebrews 11:31 and Joshua 2:9–11. Why was Rahab, a pagan
prostitute, included in this text of sacred biblical characters?
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Rahab is probably the most unexpected character whom we find in
Hebrews 11. Rahab is one of two women mentioned by name. She is
the tenth in the list, the first being forefathers and patriarchs of Israel,
and each one is regarded as being righteous. When we come to her, we
find that she not only is a woman but also a Gentile prostitute.
The most surprising thing is that she also is the thematic center and
climax of the chapter. The list is organized in a unique way. Each entry
begins with the repetitive use of the phrase “by faith.” The basic pattern
is “By faith, So-and-so did such and such” or “By faith, such and such
happened to So-and-so.” This repetitive pattern increases the expecta-
tion in the reader to hear the climactic assertion that “by faith, Joshua
led the people into the promised land.”
But that’s not what the text says. Instead, Joshua is passed over, and
the prostitute takes his place. After the mention of Rahab, the repetitive
pattern ends abruptly with “and what more shall I say?” (Heb. 11:32,
NKJV). Then, Paul hurriedly lists some names and events that he does
not explain in detail.
Rahab’s deed of faith was that she heard, believed, and obeyed, even
though she did not see. She did not see the plagues of Egypt or the
deliverance in the Red Sea or the water flow from the rock or the bread
descend from heaven, yet, she believed. She was a good exemplar for
the audience of Hebrews, who did not hear Jesus preach or see Him do
a miracle, and for us, as well, who did not see any of these things either.
“Rahab was a harlot who lived on the wall of Jericho. She hid the
two Israelite spies sent to check out the defenses of that city. Because
of her kindness to them, and her declaration of belief in God, the spies
promised that the lives of Rahab and her family would be spared when
the attack came on Jericho.”—Introduction to Rahab found in Ellen G.
White, Daughters of God, p. 35.
Paul then continues (Heb. 11:35–38) with a list of the hardships
many faced. The phrase “refusing to accept release” (Heb. 11:35, ESV)
implies that they had the possibility to escape but chose not to, because
their sights were set on the reward of God.
Though we have not seen any of these things happen (the six-day
Creation, the Exodus, the cross of Christ), why do we have so
many good reasons for believing that they did?