OT Characters: Rahab (Guest Speaker-CJ Jones)

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/rahab/">website</a>.</p><p><strong>Rahab Study Outline</strong></p><p>Hebrew Names</p><p>Rahab: means “large,” “extended.” New Testament scriptures has it spelled the same in Hebrews and James (Ra’ab). However, the Gospel of Matthew used a slightly different spelling (Rahab as in Rachab) in the Koine (common) Greek.</p><p>Jericho: means “a place of fragrance” and called the “City of Palm Trees” by the Israelites.</p><p>Asherah: This was the name of a sensual Canaanite goddess Astarte (Uh-Start-ee), also related to the moon. Image often carved into wooden poles.</p><p>Harlot/prostitute: “kedeshah” was a woman consecrated to prostitution in connection to Asherah worship.</p><p>Further Study</p><p>Historical studies on the Canaanites and the Bronze Age and geographical studies help us better understand the situation.</p><p>The name Rahab is mentioned in Job 9:13 and 26:12, Psalms 87:4 and 89:10, and Isaiah 30:7 and 51:9 in regard to a nation (Egypt) that is proud and quarrelsome.</p><p>Study out Tamar: someone who became involved in prostitution (Genesis 38:1-30), yet shows up in the genealogical line of Jesus. Study  the book of Ruth, where a Moabite persuades the Israelite Boaz to marry her; she too is in the genealogy of Matthew.</p><p>Some Things We Learn About God</p><p>God is merciful and gracious to those outside of Israel who had genuine faith and were willing to put it into action.</p><p>Even though we see the here and now, we can forget that God always has bigger plans in the long run. Rahab had a bigger-picture role in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.</p><p>For kids</p><p>God loves us and has plans for us. Not one of us has an excuse because of where we come from or what mistakes we have made.</p><p>If we love God we must trust and obey him, not only with words but also in what decisions we make and how we live.</p><p>We should love, care for and look out for our family always, and not only look out for our own i