Much could be said about Rahab without mentioning her profession. She was a Canaanite. She provided cover for the spies of Joshua. She came to believe in the God of Abraham before she ever met the children of Abraham. She was spared in the destruction of her city. She married a contemporary of Joshua's, bore a son named Boaz, had a great-grandson named Jesse, a great-great-grandson named David and a descendant named Jesus.

Rahab's name appears on the family tree of the Son of God. Her CV needn't mention her profession. Yet in five of the eight appearances in Scripture, she's called a 'harlot'. Five! It's even attached to her name in the book of Hebrews' Hall of Faith (chapter 11). The list includes Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses - and then, all of a sudden, 'the harlot Rahab'. No asterisk, no footnote, no apology.

Rahab's history is part of her testimony. 'By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish' (Hebrews 11:31 NKJV). Think about this: Rahab's profession of faith mattered more than her profession as a harlot. Maybe your past is chequered. Maybe your peers don't share your faith. Maybe your pedigree is one of violence and your ancestry one of rebellion. If so, then Rahab is your model. We don't drop scarlet cords from our windows, but we trust in the crimson thread of Jesus' blood. We don't prepare for the coming of a Hebrew army, but we live with an eye towards the second coming of our Joshua - Jesus. And the God who redeemed and redirected Rahab will do the same for you if you surrender your life to him.

— SCRIPTURE —
'By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish.' Hebrews 11:31 NKJV
— SOULFOOD —
1 Sam 4-7, Matt 22:1-14, Ps 17, Pro 16:12-15