IMITATE THEIR FAITH/She Was "Declared Righteous by Works" - RAHAB THE PROSTITUTE

 Rahab was a prostitute.  That stark fact so alarmed some Bible commenators in the past that they claimed that she was an innkeeper.  The Bible,  though, is quite clear and does not whitewash the facts.  (Joshua 2:1; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25)  In Canaanite society, Rahab's  profession was probably respecable enough.  However, culture cannot always eradicate conscience, that inner sense of right and wrong that Jehovah has given us all.  (Romans 2:14, 15) Rahab may have keenly sensed that her way of life was degrading.  Perhaps, like many today in such walks of life, she felt that she was trapped, with no other choice if she wanted to care for her family.

No doubt Rahab longed for a better  life.  Her homeland was full of violence and depravity, including incest and bestiality.  (Leviticus 18:3, 6, 21-24)  The prevalence of such evils in the land had much to do with religion.  The temples promoted ritual prostitution, and the worship of such demonic gods as Baal and Molech included the burning of children alive in sacrificial fires. 

Jehovah was not blind to what was going on in Canaan.  In fact, because of the many wicked practices of the Canaanites, Jehovah said:  "The land is unclean, and I shall bring punishment for its error upon it, and the land will vomit its inhabitants out." (Leviticus 18:25)  What did "punishment for its error" involve?  In general, Israel was given this divine promise: "Jehovah your God will certainly  push  these nations away from before you little by little." (Deuteronomy 7:22)   Centuries earlier, Jehovah had promised the land to the family of Abraham, and "God . . . cannot lie." - 2 TIMOTHY 1:2; GENESIS 12:7.

Next  time:  IMITATE THEIR FAITH / She Was "Declared Righteous by Works" - RAHAB THE PROSTITUTE : Conclusion

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