March is Women’s History Month—a time to celebrate the strength, faith, and resilience of women throughout history. This month, we dive into Lessons from the Women of God, drawing inspiration from the incredible women in the Bible whose courage and faith shaped their destinies. We begin with Rahab, a woman whose bold choice to protect God’s people not only saved her family but also secured her place in the lineage of Christ. Join us as we journey through the stories of these remarkable women, discovering the timeless wisdom they offer for our own lives today.

In the city of Jericho, Rahab lived in a house built into the wall, a strategic location that contributed to her success in her trade. There were always men hungry for pleasure. Most lived in the city, but the road that passed by Jericho also ensured a steady stream of weary travellers seeking what Rahab could provide.

Jericho was a city devoted to the most extravagant idolatry. The inhabitants were very wealthy. All the riches that God had given them they accredited to the gifts of their gods. Gold and silver were in abundance. Like the people before the Flood, they were corrupt and blasphemous. They insulted and dishonoured the God of heaven by their wicked works. God had to intervene in their evil course so as to carry out His promise to Abraham and to the entire human race. He intervened through Joshua.

Joshua sent two spies to go and scope out the land. When the king of Jericho learned that spies had entered the city, he sent soldiers to capture them but the spies found refuge in Rahab’s house

Instead of turning them in, Rahab hid the spies on her roof under stalks of flax and then misled the king’s men, saying the spies had already left. Having an understanding of the judgement that would befall Jericho her hope was based on what she learned about the invisible God of Israel. His name “I AM” was unlike all other gods.

“I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” {Joshua 2:9-11]NIV

The gods she knew were false deities who were supposed to control weather, crops or fertility, so Rahab negotiated instead with the spies in an effort to ensure her family’s survival and the spies agreed, instructing her to tie a scarlet cord in her window as a sign of protection.

Joshua remembered the promise to Rahab. He sent the two spies to her house and brought her and her family safely out of Jericho but the rest of the city was destroyed. Rahab was allowed to live peacefully in Israel the rest of her life because she protected the spies.

Rahab hoped for mere survival but gained salvation on the basis of her faith. Despite Rahab’s background, her faith in God changed her destiny. From a prostitute to a woman of God

“By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” [Hebrews 11:31] NIV

A Gentile and outsider, became part of God’s people and even an ancestor of Jesus. She later married Salmon, an Israelite, and became the mother of Boaz, the great-grandfather of King David. This places her in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ

“Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab…” [Matthew 1:5]NIV.

Rahab’s faith and service not only saved her, but it gave her a home among God’s people. The symbol of salvation for Rahab and her family was the scarlet cord in her window. Today we can cling to another “scarlet cord” the blood of Jesus, which cleanses us and makes us God’s treasured possessions.

“We’ve been redeemed from the empty way of life that once enslaved us by the precious blood of Christ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”[1Peter1:18-19]NIV