In Matthew Chapter 1 it starts with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and what stood out for me was this verse.
5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse
Rahab was the prostitute who helped Joshua's spies when they came to Jericho. She helped them from being caught and they stayed there with her. This same prostitute later married one of the spies, Salmon, and had a son, Boaz who married Ruth and they had Obed who had
Jesse and Jesse is the father of King David and we know that Jesus is a descent from the line of King David.
But why did God choose to use a prostitute in the bloodline of someone pure, without sin, and who we call the Son of the Most High God? God could've used anyone in Jesus' bloodline but he chose a prostitute?
Rahab was a harlot, someone of ill repute and one of the lowest of professions. However, she demonstrated faith. She helped the men and was a critical aid in the destruction of the walls of Jericho. She left her past behind, repented and later married an Israelite and as we know is written in the bible as a descendant of Jesus Christ.
Jesus' purpose was to save us from our sins but God throughout biblical history has proven time and time again that He has always been able to redeem us of our sins and to save us. One of the things we have to do is repent.
Regardless of who you are or were a murderer, thief, prostitute, fornicator, adulterer, and the list goes on...
God is still in the salvation business! No sin is too great that he cannot cleanse you of. Nothing too great that He cannot save you from. (“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”- 1 John 1:9) Nothing no one has said can deter you from your bright future that he holds in His hands. ("...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,
"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..." - Jeremiah 29:11) All you have to do is repent. ("In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."- Luke 15:10) Believe that He is able to save you and will save you. ("He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. - John 3:36)
Rahab's name is forever mentioned as a prostitute in the book of Joshua, however, her link to our savior Jesus Christ is forever written in the bible as well. You choose what you wish to focus on, her past as a harlot or her future as a descendant of Jesus. God changed her future because of what she demonstrated, faith, and a willingness to move on. God is able to do the same for each and every one of us.
God is able to take our history, as dark and tainted as it may be, and give us a brighter future where He lights our way and directs our paths. Isn't He just incredible?
God bless you and I pray this motivates you to move into the future God has for you.
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. - Matthew 21:32
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