Rahab started life as an outsider. She was a Canaanite, not an Israelite, and she had lived a sinful life. By the end of her story she belonged to God’s people and to the family of Jesus. Only God could change a life like that.
Two strikes against her. Rahab came from a people God was about to judge for their sin. She was also “a harlot” (Joshua 2:1), a woman who took money from men to do things God made only for marriage. Most people would have said she was the last person God would choose.
She turned to the Lord. Rahab heard what God had done, and she believed: “The Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11).
The day Jericho fell. Joshua remembered the promise. “Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent” (Joshua 6:17).
Brought out. “And the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and all that she had” (Joshua 6:23). Everyone under the scarlet cord was saved.
Outside the camp. At first the family stayed “outside the camp of Israel” (Joshua 6:23). They were still strangers. But God was not finished with them.
Brought in. “So she dwells in Israel to this day” (Joshua 6:25). The outsider became one of God’s people.
A new family. Rahab married an Israelite named Salmon (Matthew 1:5). The woman nobody wanted became a wife and a mother in Israel.
Remembered for faith. Many years later the New Testament still remembers her: “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe” (Hebrews 11:31). God’s Word still uses her old name, but it puts the words by faith in front of it.
No longer strangers. Paul wrote to people who had been outsiders like Rahab: “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).
Made new. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Joy in heaven. Jesus said, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).
What we learn. Your past does not decide your future with God. When you trust Jesus, He brings you into His family and gives you a brand-new life.
What to do. Think of someone at school who seems left out. This week, be kind to them the way God was kind to Rahab.
Most family trees are just lists of names. Jesus’ family tree in Matthew 1 is full of surprises. God put people in it that nobody would have expected, and Rahab is one of them.
The list. Matthew’s Gospel begins with a list of Jesus’ ancestors, from Abraham all the way to Joseph, the husband of Mary (Matthew 1:1-16).
Rahab’s line. “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king” (Matthew 1:5-6). Begot means became the father of.
Rahab’s son. Boaz grew up to be a kind and godly man. He welcomed Ruth, a poor widow from Moab, and took care of her (Ruth 2). Many Bible teachers think Boaz learned kindness to outsiders from his mother.
Ruth. Ruth was an outsider too. God brought her into Jesus’ family line as well. “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife” (Ruth 4:13).
King David. From Rahab’s family came Jesse and then David, Israel’s greatest king. “He is the father of Jesse, the father of David” (Ruth 4:17).
Other surprises. Matthew also names Tamar (Matthew 1:3) and Bathsheba, “her who had been the wife of Uriah” (Matthew 1:6). Their stories had sin and sadness in them too.
Why put them in? God wanted everyone to see that Jesus came for sinners and for outsiders. Jesus did not come from a family of perfect people.
Not ashamed. Jesus “is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Hebrews 2:11). Brethren means brothers and sisters.
For the whole world. God promised Abraham, “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Rahab and Ruth show that promise beginning to come true.
The name Jesus. The angel told Joseph, “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). The Savior came from a family that needed saving.
Every nation. In heaven John saw “a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues” (Revelation 7:9). People like Rahab will be there.
What we learn. Jesus’ family tree shows His heart. He came for people who know they need Him.
What to do. Read Matthew 1:1-6 with your family this week. Find Rahab and Ruth, and thank God that His family has room for you.
Complete all sections to finish!
Read each section and answer the questions correctly.