Matthew 1:5-6 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.

In Joshua 2 we read how Rahab, a prostitute, hid the spies sent by Joshua to gather intelligence on the land of Jericho before invading it. You and I would think: What an unsuitable candidate for the call of God! But it is clear from her conversation with the spies that she had revelation knowledge. Some of what she said was simply the latest news – God had opened up the Red Sea allowing the Israelites to come out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses, the two Kings of the Amorites, Sihon and Og, were already defeated, and yes, everyone was now terrified of the Israelites. All facts, but how was she able to say with such confidence: “I know that the Lord has given this land to you” and “the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below”?   I believe that Rahab had an encounter with God that changed her and moved her to act in such a way as to facilitate God’s agenda and save her family as well.

The comprehension of who God is also changed the trajectory of Rahab’s life for the future. After Joshua and the Israelites conquered Jericho, her past became of no consequence and she lived among the people of God. Not only that, she became part of the Royal line of King David into which Jesus Christ was born. Amazing! Moreover, she is still remembered today as a woman of great faith: “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” (Hebrews 11:31).

God is very consistent. Please understand that when you encounter God through acceptance of his Son Jesus, God’s intentions towards you are for your good. He wants to give you a hope and a future, not just any future but the future he had always planned for you in this life and in eternity. Will you claim your inheritance and not allow your past to handicap your future?