22nd.: Rahab’s Extended Family
A prostitute named Rahab had heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for the Jews (see Josh. 2:11a).
She therefore wanted to turn to the God who had that power. She was not the only one who heard those news reports.
Her entire city, Jericho, heard what the God of the Jews did. However, they did not turn to the Lord.
Instead, they prepared to fight. It is presumed that Rahab’s extended family would have gone along with the rest of the inhabitants of Jericho.
Except for Rahab’s request,
“[Please] show kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a token, and that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.” (Josh. 2:12b-13),
it is likely that her family members would all have perished with the rest of Jericho.
Nevertheless, Rahab’s family members were saved by her faith, as shown by her reaching out to the God of the Jews.
Acts 16:14-15 speaks of a woman named Lydia, and her household being baptized.
Likewise, Acts 16:27-33 speaks of a jailer, and his [whole] house being saved, and baptized.
Not always, but sometimes, the faith of one person within a household, and their prayers, will help lead that whole family to the Lord.
We should therefore pray for our family members.
“By faith, the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” (Heb. 11:31)