Who is that Broad? - July 14
Today’s Readings:AM Psalm 26, 28; PM Psalm 36, 39; Joshua 2:15-24; Rom. 11:13-24; Matt. 25:14-30
I was excited to see what I drew for this week’s readings and the story of Rahab appeared from the book of Joshua. I’m not going to pass up a chance to highlight a prostitute as an unlikely Biblical hero and I’m very curious about what Rahab is up to. I’m reflecting on the whole chapter 2 of Joshua for today’s reflection, which includes yesterday’s passage along with today’s for the complete story of Rahab. So who is this Rahab broad? There are very few women who are named in the Old Testament, but here we have Rahab, a non-Israelite (she’s a Canaanite) and a prostitute. These descriptors introduce us to Rahab, but what makes her important enough to be named?
Joshua is preparing to conquer Jericho as part of his mission to bring the Israelites to the Promised Land of Canaan. In doing so, he sends two spies to scope out Jericho and the first verse says that they go to the house of the prostitute named Rahab and spend the night there. Not much is left to the imagination here. While I don’t think their sexual escapades are the point, I do wonder why they choose Rahab, the prostitute.
Prostitutes in this Hebrew context are neither protected by nor under the authority of a husband, living on the outskirts of town and most active under the darkness of night. Prostitution thrives with an imbalance of power, resulting in prostitutes being desired, yet shunned. So Rahab is someone who is living on the margins of society, both physically and socially, with unconventional freedom. As such, Rahab has a unique and complex allure.
Now, I wonder why Rahab takes such a high risk to protect and assist the Israelite spies. She cleverly outsmarts the king of Jericho, sending the king’s men on a wild goose chase in search of the spies. Perhaps she is tired of being the town prostitute and living at the bottom of society - or tired of being identified as someone who lacks wisdom or morals. Perhaps she feels she has nothing to lose. The text does not tell us what we might be assuming about her motivations.
What the text does tell us is that this misfit Canaanite is faithful to God. The Canaanites have heard about the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and their hearts are “melting” with fear and knowledge of the Lord’s presence with them, proclaiming, “The Lord your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below” (2:11). In this moment she is claiming her faith.
Another interesting part of her identity is Rahab’s name, which translates to mean “broad” in Hebrew. That’s befitting for a prostitute as a slur. But she is so much more than a prostitute; she is wise and faithful. Rahab broadens the boundaries between the insiders and outsiders of the covenant by facilitating the destruction of the line that divides the Israelites and the Canaanites. She aides their mission and makes an oath with the spies who are able to safely return to Joshua with the news that the Lord has given the Promised Land to the Israelites. Her decisive action to assist the spies through her faith in God makes her vital to the success of Israel’s inheritance of the promise God made to their ancestors.
This female, outcast, “broad” of Jericho discerns God’s will through wisdom and chooses to follow God’s mission through her faith. Rahab not only knows who she is, but more importantly, she knows WHOSE she is. She belongs to God and is faithful to God. That is her true identity and purpose!
-- Susan Oakes, Seminarian
Susan Oakes is a rising senior at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. This summer, she is serving as a seminarian intern at Saint Stephen's, her sponsoring parish for ordination.
Questions for Self Reflection
When have you been surprised by someone else’s faith?
When have you risked for faith?
Daily Challenge
Identify someone or a group who is marginalized and investigate something new you might learn from them.