THE HARLOT

KNOWN

So glad you joined me today. Today we start the study of Rahab, who is hands down one of my favorite women in the Bible. Here we go.

1. Please read Joshua 2:1. How is Rahab introduced to us?

Nothing like just putting it out there. "A harlot named Rahab". A prostitute. A known prostitute. Not exactly how we would like to be introduced to the world is it?

2. Come up with your own definition of a harlot. Jot down your ideas.

We tend to think of a "harlot" as a prostitute, someone who trades sex for money. I think we can broaden that definition. I would propose we can define a harlot as someone who trades her time, her money, her attention, even her affections in order to achieve some "gain". That "gain" could be money, but it could also be social standing in the community or church, a promotion at work, or the attention of another.
May I be so bold as to say that some of us, if not all, have at some point in time traded something of ourselves for a "gain". We, if I may, have prostituted ourselves, given something valuable of ours away, in order to advance.

3. Write down a time when you feel you traded something valuable for a "gain". Describe what you did. How did you feel when you received your "gain"? How did you feel when others found out?

I am sure for many of us, this does not bring back a warm fuzzy feeling. We are often ashamed when we trade ourselves for something else. If the Lord is convicting you to repent, please do it now. His mercy is waiting. DO NOT take on the cloak of condemnation, however. Condemnation is from the enemy, one of his oldest tricks. See it for what it is and reject it in Jesus name!
We are going to stop here because I want us to have a glimpse of where Rahab started. I know some of us will have more than a glimpse. Some will know exactly how she felt. Other's, by God's grace, will have only known these emotions on a small scale, but we will all know them to some degree. We have all given away something that was valuable in order to achieve a fleeting gain.
However, there is hope! As we will study, God took Rahab out of the "harlot" lifestyle when she made calculated choices that drew her close to Him. He can and will do the same for you and me. Her life is proof!