Merriam-Webster defines a heroine as a: a mythological or legendary woman often of divine descent having great strength or ability

b: a woman admired and emulated for her achievements and qualities.

Ai says ‘A heroine is a woman admired for her bravery, outstanding qualities, or noble achievements, or the principal female character in a story, play, or film.’

God says ‘my broken vessel, created for marvelous purpose.  Loved by me unconditionally.  Allowed to walk pathways that the World will judge, while some of the judges take advantage of the brokenness.  All culminating in a life of impact and incredible contribution; if only they trust and allow me.’

I find it amazing that God chose to take the two central figures in the conquering of Jericho and leave them nameless.  Only referred to as “two spies” and in some translations “two young spies.”  (Joshua 2).   Then the king is referred to as “the king of Jericho.”  No-name, the king.  Now I have not met any kings except the King of all kings, but I suspect his ego did not handle being relegated to a general acknowledgement while the prostitute is named 8 times in the Bible.  I wonder how the legal-hawks responded to the two spies landing in the home of a prostitute?  (They likely missed the amazing beauty of the whole event’s purpose.)

If you don’t know the story, read Joshua 2 in the Old Testament of the Bible.  Rahab (the prostitute) hid the spies sent by Joshua, from the king of Jericho and then helped them escape.  In doing so, she saved her family when the Israelites conquered Jericho and killed everything in the city/kingdom.  Her fear of God and her recognition of his omnipotence defied the World’s definition of a broken life, cast aside by those equally broken and resulted in her families survival during this seminal event in history.  

Do you think Rahab’s family was proud of her pre Jericho destruction?  Why did the king of Jericho know Rahab by name?  These questions mattered little to her family when Jericho’s judgement day came.  It mattered completely that the army of the only true God, knew her by name and knew to protect and keep her and her family.  

There is just so much to consider in this story, especially if we apply it to our lives today.  Are you really walking through life alone and without significance?  Stories likes Rahab in the Bible suggests you are not.  Would Rahab been a top influencer today, or the target of the influential?  What matters?  How others perceive you, or who God says you are.  Hint here:  choose God.  He always wins and he knows the number of hairs on your head.

So, certainly Rahab became a heroine within Israel.  Do you know ‘the rest of her story?’  She married a man named Salmon from the tribe of Judah, mentioned as a prince or leader of the tribe of Judah.  Her son was Boaz, who married Ruth, and continued the lineage to king David and then Jesus.  Rahab the prostitute was kind’ve a big deal.  I doubt she felt that way in her career of survival prior to God’s redemption and revealing of her incredible purpose in life.

So, I’ll leave it at this.  You matter.  You matter much, much more than you can possibly fathom.  You were created for purpose.  Don’t confuse the path you are walking as a waste of time.  Understand that God does not waste time and is using your current situation as preparation for the plans that he has for you.  Allowing access to you could be the catalyst for a life trajectory completely changed in a single moment.  Trust the process.  God designed your process specifically for you.

“The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.” Katsumoto character, The Last Samurai 

Rahab the prostitute.  Rahab the heroine.  Rahab the faithful.  Rahab the forgiven.  Rahab, the redeemed.  Rahab, of the ancestral lineage of Jesus.  Measure what matters.  

__________ (your name here), God’s beloved daughter or son, created for incredible purpose.