The article "The Harlot Rahab" by Don Fortner addresses the doctrine of divine election and salvation through faith, exemplified by the figure of Rahab in the biblical narrative. Fortner emphasizes Rahab's faith and God's sovereign grace as central themes, highlighting that her belief in God, symbolized by the scarlet cord, led to her salvation amidst divine judgment on Jericho. He supports this argument through Hebrews 11:31, which illustrates that her faith distinguished her from the disobedient, alongside references to Exodus 23:27-28 regarding God's prior judgement on Jericho. The practical significance of Rahab's story lies in its demonstration of God's unmerited grace and the assurance of salvation for those who believe, revealing that even the most unlikely individuals can be part of God's redemptive plan.
Key Quotes
“There was one small section of the wall that did not fall because there was a house on that section of the wall that could not fall.”
“Rahab was the object of God's sovereign electing love.”
“Rahab's house was under the blood.”
“Rahab believed God.”
What does the Bible say about Rahab's faith?
Rahab's faith is highlighted in Hebrews 11:31 as a key reason for her salvation from destruction.
Hebrews 11:31, Joshua 6
How do we know God's electing love is true?
God's electing love is demonstrated through the story of Rahab, who was preserved due to her faith and God's sovereign choice.
Hebrews 11:31, Ephesians 1:4-5
Why is the concept of the blood important for Christians?
The blood symbolizes Christ’s sacrifice, essential for salvation, as seen in Rahab's preservation by the scarlet cord.
Joshua 6, Hebrews 9:22, Ephesians 1:7
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. that...: Or, that were disobedient - Hebrews 11:31“The Harlot Rahab”
“By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” Hebrews 11:31
When the Lord God sent Joshua and the children of Israel across the Jordan River and into the land of Canaan to take possession of the land, the first order of business was to destroy the city of Jericho. Jericho was one of the largest, most prosperous, and most thoroughly fortified cities in the land. But the city was cursed of God and marked for destruction. The sentence of death had been passed upon it forty years earlier (Ex. 23:27-28).
Though the inhabitants of Jericho prospered in the world, though they worked and played, labored by day and partied by night, though they filled their lives with every amusement, comfort, and pleasure they could find, though they were utterly ignorant of it, they were a people cursed of God, a people whose numbered days were up, and a people about to be forever damned!
They were as sure for hell as if they were already there when Joshua and the children of Israel crossed over the river Jordan; but they were oblivious to the fact of it!
The Scriptures tell us that the children of Israel marched around Jericho, carrying the ark of the covenant everyday for seven days. On the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times, blew their trumpets and shouted. When they did, the walls of Jericho came tumbling down and fell flat to the ground. The whole city was completely destroyed at once, except for one house. There was one small section of the wall that did not fall because there was a house on that section of the wall that could not fall.
Why? Why was that house preserved? The answer is found in Hebrews 11:31. There was a woman in that house who believed God. There was a woman in that house who was sheltered by a scarlet cord, which represented the precious blood of Christ. The story is recorded in Joshua 6
Though all of Jericho was destroyed under the wrath of God, Rahab and her father’s house were saved; the house of the town’s most notorious harlot could not fall.
When I read that, being the kind of curious, inquisitive person I am, I want to know why? Why was this one house left standing, while all the other houses were destroyed? Why, when the entire wall surrounding the city collapsed under the weight of God’s wrath, was this harlot’s house left standing? The Book of God shows us clearly that there are five reasons why Rahab’s house did not and could not fall when the judgment of God fell on Jericho: (1.) Rahab was the object of God’s sovereign, electing love. (2.) Rahab’s house was under the blood. (3. Rahab believed God. (4.) Rahab had the promise of God for her security and the security of her house. And (5.) Rahab stayed in the house.
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