Caves: Power in the Darkness

Caves near En Gedi

Pastor Nick Hughes of Emmanuel Gateway Church London spoke to us this weekend. He drew his message from Ephesians 1:19-20,

” . . . and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength  he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, . . .”

Brother Nick noted that we who believe have access to power.  The same mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead!

Jesus’ disciples were in need of this power.  The crucifixion, alluded to in Ephesians, had left the 11 scattered and “defeated.” Only John dared attend the crucifixion. Others had denied, or hid. They were in need of power.

That power, the same power Paul attests to in Ephesians 1, came upon disciples in Acts 2.  They were moved from defeated men to champions of faith.

“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them (verses 2-4).”

These same men went on to proclaim in power.  They went from a gathered handful, to the 2 billion plus (who call upon the name of the Lord) today.  All through that power.

This theme of power and light in the darkness was expanded on by Pastor Nick.  He noted a clear pattern using the life of David.  David was a man who knew “ups” and “downs.”  A man who understood a fall, and yet held onto hope.

And why? Well Nick calls David an “inside out” man.  He let the power of God be manifested from what was in him.  This was shown from David’s anointing onwards. Samuel was looking for the outward signs of kingship. God said, no, look at the inside.  This led to the anointing of the boy shepherd.

David used the inward power against Goliath, he calmed the distress of Saul, and became a favourite in court.  Yet in the highs he remained inwardly dedicated to God. But then the fall came. David looses the favour of Saul, he loses his wife Michal, and his best friend Jonathon.  He flees to the lands of his enemy the Philistines, and eventually to the caves of En Gedi. David was literally in the darkness. But God again in that power of Ephesians 1, lifts him up again to become not only a great king, but “a man after God’s own heart.”

This transforming power in darkness was not just manifested in the scattered disciples, or the fugitive David.  It was personally known to God Himself in Jesus. In the same pattern as the apostles and David, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a high with cries of “Hosanna.” Then He systematically fell foul of the leaders of Israel, and then most of the people.  He was crucified, died, and was buried.  Yes, His own cave experience. But then that manifested power of God “raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.”

These dark caves of life surely are a message God wanted shared this week. On the same day which Brother Nick preached, I had already posted on trusting in God in the darkness or the “rains” of life.  It addressed how there is a transforming and learning opportunity in those “cave” experiences.  But these were not the only references to the theme; as Sister Sue Love posted on the same day reflections on Jeremiah 29:4-9, in which she notes that in the “cave” days of our lives “[God] gives us everything we need to survive, to thrive, to conquer, to be faithful, and to fight off those attacks of the enemy and to walk in holiness and purity.” Then a little later, Shirle Bedient posted on the same passage in Jeremiah.

The prevalence of this message has assured me.  I trust that if it has a significance to any of you reading this, please explore it further, and do not despair in the darkness.  There is power that can light any cave. Only believe, and it is yours.

Padre

 

 

Newmarket: A Visit to the Home of Racing

Located in the grassy hills on the Cambridgeshire – Suffolk border, Newmarket is the ideal location for horses and horse racing. Not far from the flat land of the Fens, this site has been associated with flat racing since the time of King Charles II.

Before I go any further let me confess I am not a great fan of things equestrian. Despite this Newmarket is an interesting place and one full of contradictions.

Signs of the racing industry are everywhere in the town.  Statues, wall plaques, and horseshoes embedded in the pavements give testimony of the racing economy.  There is a racing museum, the Jockey Club, and of course to race courses.

Museum

 

The positives of this focus are the entertainment value of the races, and the use of the courses as music venues on non-race days.  The town for its size has a wide variety of eateries.  There are Thai, Polish, and Turkish restaurants; as well as the ubiquitous Chinese, Indian, and fish and chip shops. There are several independent cafes, as well as a Costa, Starbucks, and Cafe Nero outlets.

 

Hyperion

For those interested in public art, the equine statuary is really impressive.  There are bronze works of the champion –  Hyperion, of a horse and trainer on the Cambridge end roundabout, and a new statue of the queen and her pony.

Queen and her pony

On the negative (at least in some opinions) features include long delays to traffic going through town at horse crossing points, where at times entire stables cross at once during their exercise rounds. There are an inordinate number of betting shops with some franchises having more than one outlet. While this is understandable in a town dedicated to racing, it does limit the  variety of shops on the High Street. One inexplicable feature is the large number of taxi rank spaces.  There are nearly 10 times the number of taxi spaces on the High Street than there are disabled bays.  Add to this that taxis will extend their queues beyond their official ranks (I have counted as many as twenty waiting cabs, even on non-race days). This is an issue for those with mobility issues, as the Council has recently added parking fees for disabled drivers in the shopping precinct car park, leaving only 2 or 3 free spaces on the High Street.

Clock, Roundabout, and Cross Walk

Another attractive feature of the town is the Queen Victoria Jubilee Clock Tower. Here I must give a mixed review.  This is a beautiful piece of public architecture.  But, there is a down-side here as well.  This magnificent tower is located at the edge of a poorly designed round about, which is further complicated by a pedestrian zebra crossing (a non-signaled pedestrian priority cross walk for you non-British readers).  This often leads to a stand still of traffic in the intersection while those entering the town centre wait for someone to cross.

Horses in Equestrian Crossing

 

As I have noted above, there are contradictions and positives and negatives to Newmarket.  For racing enthusiasts, it is a must visit.  For lovers of public art, it has loads to offer.  For those looking for a day’s shopping, it is limited. Though you can catch a good meal.

Horse and Trainer Statue

Padre

“A Nog Isn’t Just for Christmas”

Eggnog

For many people eggnog is considered a festive drink served in the Christmas season.  It need not be so, however, especially with some of the recent cold snaps, such as “The Beast From The East” in the UK. This sweet warming drink is a real winner as a hand and tummy warmer, and it can be made as dairy and non-dairy/ and alcohol and alcohol-free versions.

The drink’s origins may come from adaptations to the Medieval posset recipes, but became more of a tradition in the British colonies of North America where wines were replaced by rum or bourbon.

A traditional version (dairy and alcohol) calls for –

Ingredients:

• Whole Milk 1 1/2 cups (350ml)
• Double Cream 1/2 cup (120ml)
• Cinnamon 1 tsp ground
• Nutmeg 1 tsp ground
• Eggs 3 separated
• Sugar 1/3 cup (65g)
• Rum or Bourbon 1/4 cup (if used) or a little less just for flavour

Method:

Combine the milk, cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a pan. Bring to the boil over a medium heat. Once boiling, remove from the heat and allow to set.

In a bowl beat egg yolks and sugar until it thickens. Then slowly whisk in the milk mixture and continue to mix until it is smooth. Add the alcohol and stir.  Whip the egg whites until they begin to peak and then stir into the mixture. Sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg and serve warm.

Dairy free, alcohol free, no added sugar option

A non-dairy, no sugar added, alcohol free (virtually so allowing for any content in essences or extracts) version has the following –

Ingredients:

• Coconut Milk Drink 1 1/2 cups
• Coconut Milk 1/2 cup tinned
• Cinnamon 1 tsp
• Nutmeg 1 tsp
• Eggs 3 separated
• Stevia 2 Tbs plus 1 tsp
• Vanilla or Rum essence* 1/4 tsp (to flavour)

Method:

Combine the milk drink, coconut milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a pan. Bring to the near boil over a medium heat. Once the solids from the tinned milk are fully liquified, remove from the heat and allow to set.

In a bowl beat egg yolks and 2 Tbs of sweetener until it thickens. Then slowly whisk in the milk mixture and continue to mix until it is smooth. Add the essence.  Add the remaining Stevia to the egg whites and whisk until they begin to peak and then stir into the milk mixture. Sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg and serve warm.

Padre

Thai Inspired Ginger Prawn Rice

I recently livened up our prawn (shrimp) repertoire with a spicy Thai-inspired dish.  I like this a lot as it has no added dried spices or stock cubes, but all the flavour comes from the veg and sauces.

Ingredients:

• King Prawns (Shrimp) 150 g cooked and peeled
• Ginger Root thumb-sized piece
• Red Chili Pepper 1
• Spring Onions 8
• Garlic 3-4 cloves
• Carrot 1 large
• Red Onion 1/2
• Lemon Grass 2 stocks
• Lime Juice 2 tsp
• Fish Sauce 3 Tbs
• Oil 2 Tbs
• Soy Sauce 1 Tbs
• Basmati or Jasmine Rice 250 g prepared

Method:

Peel and finely dice the garlic and red onion. Remove roots and any hard outer leaves from the spring onions, and cut the onions into 2 inch long pieces. Scrape the outer skin from carrot and ginger, then using a vegetable (potato) peeler shave carrot and ginger into thin strips and then cut into 2 to 3 inch lengths. Remove hard outer layers of the lemon grass (leaving softer core) and cut into 1/2 inch pieces.  Then remove seeds from the pepper and cut into thin rings.

Put oil into a wok and set for a high heat. Then add the veg ingredients and stir fry for about two minutes, moving all of the veg through the oil.  Then add 2 Tbs of the fish sauce and continue to stir. Next add the lime juice and about 2 tsp of the soy (reserving 1 tsp). When veg begins to become tender (you may need to add a couple of tsp of water along the way) remove from the heat and add the prawns.  Toss well and return to heat for only about 1 minute.  Place into a bowl, and add the warm prepared rice, and the remaining fish and soy sauce.  Stir well and serve.

Padre

 

Rain on the Just and Unjust

Photo credit: Daily Express

I recently came across a posting in which the author made a “what I don’t want to happen to me” list, which she rudely titled her “*uck-it” list.  While the swearing is far from my focus here, I did have to reflect on the concept.  What would I have on such a list?  I therefore began the mental exercise to formulate one, and then to note (sadly) that my list is nearly complete.

I came up with about fifteen items, which I have edited down to 10 for this post. So here is my “Please, Not Me” list:

• Been Shot (if pellet guns count)
• Been Shot at  (actual firearm)
• Been Stabbed
• Had a Heart Attack 
• Lost a Child
• Had Cancer (though my wife has)
• Been made redundant (laid off)
• Had a car accident
• Had emergency surgery
• Been Burgled 

What have I learned from reflecting on this list? Life is not fair, bad things happen to good people, and to ordinary people, and to bad people alike. All of the points on the list are unfortunately part of the human condition.

Jesus recognised this when he told His disciples in Matthew 5: 45 b, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” This world is not perfect.  This life (despite what many desire) is not an end unto itself. Our daily walk can be, and often is, arduous.

Even the righteous man, Job suffered.  But herein, we have a Spirit inspired lesson to learn. Job discovered that even in hardship. God is still God.  We may want to control our world.  We may want to avoid the items on our anti-bucket list.  But these are not options open to our limited powers.  We need to realise that it is God who is control of the world, and even those pains of life have a purpose.  They may be so that we can grow.  They may be that we let go of our need to control.  They ultimately lead us to rely on Him.

Padre

Poppy Seed Cookies (Inspired by Hamantaschen)

Wednesday is Purim. It is the celebration of the survival of the Jews and the thwarting of the cruel and ambitious plans of the Persian Minister, Haman. The events are recorded in the book of Esther and every year a festival is held to remember this brave woman and her kinsman Mordechai. During the festival the name of Haman is drowned out when ever uttered by rattles, shouts, and the like.  Also special treats are eaten, some of which are called Hamantaschen, which are symbolic of evil Haman’s triangular hat.

This recipe can be made as proper hamantachen, or as a very nice small tart or biscuit. With apologies to Esther, and to biblical purists, I offer this recipe “for such a time as this.”

Poppy Treats (some triangular, some round)

Ingredients:

Filling –

• Poppy Seeds 3 Tbs
• Honey 3 Tbs
• Butter 1 1/2 Tbs
• Salt large pinch
• Raisins 5 Tbs

Cookie –

• Eggs 1 
• Stevia 3 rounded Tbs (or 1/2 cup sugar)
• Oil 3 Tbs 
• Vanilla Essence 1 tsp 
• Plain Flour 1 1/4 cups 
• Baking Powder 1 tsp 
• Salt 1/8 tsp 
• Water 1 to 3 Tsp (if needed)

Method:

In a large bowl whisk together sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Using a spoon, stir in flour,  and dry ingredients.  Stir until it begins to form a crumbly dough. Now manually kneed this together adding small splashes of water (as needed) to form a consistent cookie dough.  Set aside. In another bowl, cream together the honey,  butter and salt, then add the seeds and raisins.  For a smoother filling these can be whipped together in a food processor (optional).  Now roll out the dough to about 1/5 to 1/4 inch thick (about .5 cm). Use a drinking glass to cut the dough into circles. Place 1 tsp of the poppy mixture in the centre of each circle, (and if you want a traditional hamantaschen, fold the edges of each cookie to form a triangular shape – but do not totally enclose the filling). Or as a cookie/tart be sure filling is well centred as it will spread while baking.  Place on a lightly greased flat baking sheet, and place in oven at 175 C / 350 F for 15 – 20 minutes. If you have made dough on the thick end it may take a few extra minutes.

Padre

Nine of the Worst Bible Puns

Source: https://learn.onemonth.com

I have learned in years as: a former youth minister, pulpit minister, and religious educator, that young people (and others) are lovers of Bible puns.  While they may not be for everyone (and some may see them as sacrilegious) they nonetheless seem to find their way into sermons and Sunday School classes.

With that said, here are some of the all time “groaners” in the Bible pun stakes.

1. We all know God is a sports fan, as we find Cricket (or Baseball) referenced at the start of the Bible: “In the big inning (Genesis 1: 1).
2. The fall is found early in the Bible.  When sin enters the world Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. And the snake didn’t have a leg to stand on (Genesis 3: 10-13).
3. The first reference to smoking is found in Genesis 24, of course, as it clearly notes that Rebekah alighted her camel (Genesis 24: 64).
4. Joseph was something of a sportsman.  In fact, tennis seems to be his game. “He was thirty years old when he began serving in the court of Pharaoh . . .  (Genesis 41:46 NLT).”
5. Moses of course is the greatest sinner of the Pentateuch. After all he did break all ten commandments (Exodus 32:19). 
6. The shortest character in the scripture of course is Knee-high-miah (Nehemiah).
7. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;” therefore, the Bible is like a medicine to cure the thick (Hosea 4: 6).
8. There was great disappointment for the town of Bethany in the recent games, as they failed to get a podium position.  Yes, Lazarus came fourth (John 11: 43-44).
9. “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band . . . ” He was clearly an officer and a Gentile-man (Acts 10: 1).

There are others that are widely used as well, such as “Moses’, (or Joshua’s, or David’s) Triumphs [motorcycles or sports-cars], but these are far more paraphrases and therefore lack clear chapter and verse references.

Hopefully you will have seen these in the spirit intended (a little fun), and I will return to some serious biblical reflections of Witness Wednesday (if not sooner).

Shalom,

Padre

Sea Bass with Paprika and Red Peppers

This is a nice fish dish, with a smokey flavour and a pleasant texture.  It is a great alternative to the breaded fish and chips for a Friday evening.

Ingredients:

• Sea Bass Fillets (skin on) 2 x 100 – 150 g
• Red Bell Pepper 1/2
• Smoked Paprika 1 rounded tsp
• Salt 1/4 tsp
• Olive Oil 2 tsp

Method:

Preheat oven to 200 C/ 395 F. In an oven dish lay out a large piece of foil and flatten to bottom leaving enough to form a “tent” afterwards. Spread oil evenly on foil.  Slice the pepper into thin rings and pat into oil, then set aside. Then pat flesh side of fish into oil before flipping skin-side down into remaining oil.  Lightly sprinkle salt onto fish, then pat fish with paprika covering flesh evenly.  Then lay oiled pepper rings onto the fish.  Close foil into a tent, and place in oven for 25 minutes.  Remove from oven and carefully serve using a spatula.  Serve with chips (fries) and mushy peas.

Padre

 

Repeating, Reflecting, Redeeming

Photo: agro-textiles

Pastor Rich drew part of his programme for the family service from John chapter 21.

“Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes (verses 3-6).” 

Here we have the first instance of a repeat in the account.  This miraculous catch of fish after a fruitless night of fishing is exactly the same scenario in which Simon Peter was first introduced to Jesus.

“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes (verses 7-8).” 

Here we have in a sense a repeat, but also our (and Peter’s) first reflection.  In the first encounter with Jesus (Luke 5), Peter figuratively runs from Him with the words “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” On this occasion, however, Peter runs to Him.

“As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead (verses 9-14).”

Here we have some stage setting, and another repeat.  Simon Peter had been at a fireside when he denied knowledge of Jesus in Jerusalem.  Now Jesus has brought Peter into the same situation.  A fireside, and soon a series of questions.  Peter perhaps reflected on this as he sat near the coals.

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep (verses 15 -17).”

Here we have the final repeat of the account.  Peter is challenged to acknowledge Jesus.  Not once, but three times, as in Jerusalem.  He is not only called to bear witness of his association, but of his love! He in each case responds in the affirmative.  His love (and Jesus’ for him) redeems him.  Jesus reinstates him (if that is the correct term in the circumstance), but more importantly Peter is allowed to assuage his own sense of guilt.

On the shore of the Lake of Tiberius, Jesus reenacted the situations for Peter to reflect upon.  He took these reflections, and turned them into a challenge of love and faith.  In the end, He redeemed His disciple.

God often brings us into situations where we are called to reflect.  He is there in the same loving and forgiving manner for us, as he presented to Peter.  Are we to be like Peter and run to Him and His offer? And will be in the end accept His grace?

Padre

Thank you Rich for this thoughtful example!

Bible Ladies (Part 5), The Foreign Women (b): Rahab

The Harlot of Jericho and the Two Spies by James Jacques Joseph Tissot

As in the case of Zapporah and Ruth, Rahab in the Book of Joshua is a foreign woman of note.  She is presumably a Canaanite, or at least lives in Canaan.  She lives on the border of the Jordan in the city of Jericho, the first place of conquest by the Israelites within the Land of Promise.

The main account of Rahab is found in Joshua chapter 2. She offers refuge to the Hebrew spies, and takes great risk in hiding them within her home.

“Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. ‘Go, look over the land,’ he said, ‘especially Jericho.’ So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. The king of Jericho was told, ‘Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.’  So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: ‘Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.’ But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, ‘Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from.  At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.’  (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut (verses 1-7).”

Okay, the account tells us she is a prostitute. It could be argued that her protection of the men in her house was a occupational or “professional” decision.  The details, however, do not stack up to such a narrow line of thinking.  She not only gives them shelter, but vital intelligence as well.

“Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof  and said to them, ‘I know that the Lord has given this land to you 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.  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. When we heard of it, our hearts sank and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below (verses 8 – 11).”

This information is valuable militarily (as it shows the low morale of the people of Jericho).  It also, however, shows her clear belief in the power of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Herein, lies a dilemma.  She as a Canaanite is marked for destruction (Deuteronomy 20:17).  Yet, she has just expressed a faith in God, and has aided the cause of the Hebrews.  Her redemption is promised in the following passage.

“‘Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them – and that you will save us from death.’  ‘Our lives for your lives!’ the men assured her. ‘If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.’ So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.  She said to them, ‘Go to the hills so that the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there for three days until they return, and then go on your way.’ Now the men had said to her, ‘This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.  If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.’ ‘Agreed,’ she replied. ‘Let it be as you say.’ So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window (verses 12 -20).”

Okay, life spared, and her household.  But there is more! Let’s look at some details.

While some Evangelicals have tried to sanitise Rahab’s reputation by noting that she was some sort of weaver (thus the flax bundles on her roof), this does not diminish the testimony of several scriptures to her being “a harlot” (Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25, and others).  This view is also found within rabbinic tradition as well. In fact, rabbinic literature not only acknowledges her prostitution, but her repentance and conversion to the faith.

The texts have a conversion process mentioned for Rahab, “Master of the Universe! I have sinned with three things [with my eye, my thigh, and my stomach]. By the merit of three things pardon me: the rope, the window, and the wall [pardon me for engaging in harlotry because I endangered myself when I lowered the rope for the spies from the window in the wall].” (Babylonian Talmud, Zevahim 116a-b).”

And now, what about the woman herself?  In Joshua, Rahab is apparently in her forties or even aged fifty, but still able to bear children as she is cited as being the mother of Boaz in some traditions. There is a spelling variant (Rachab/Rahab) in Matthew 1: 5 which various interpreters have argued makes her a different woman. If she is the same, she would be the wife of Salmon and therefore an ancestor of Jesus. Rabbinic tradition suggests, however, that Rahab married not Salmon but Joshua himself (Midrash: Eccl. Rabbah 8:10:1).

Rabbinic sources state she was 10 at the time of the Exodus and therefore 50 when the spies came to her.  This does seem to be supported by the knowledge she possesses in Joshua 2: 8-11.

Whether she is in the line of the coming Messiah, or the wife of the leader, Joshua – Rahab remains a woman of faith.  She was willing to risk her life, forsake her nation, and defy her king in the service of the King of kings.  She is an inspirational “Bible Lady” who shows that no matter what one’s background, and past sins, that God is willing to accept and use them for the kingdom.

Padre

 

Other Bible Ladies posts:

• Lois and Eunice
• Moses’ Wives: Zipporah and the Cushite Woman
• Eve
• Hagar

See also:

• Ruth
• Elizabeth