"The Harlot Rahab"

 "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace." (Hebrews 11:31 KJV)

  "Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah)." (Matthew 1:3-6 NLT)

 Looking at this from a different point of view, you would think that some people would feel good about these four women that are listed in the line of Judah, as they are clearly mentioned for a reason. However, there are some that don't think Rahab the harlot is the same Rahab that is listed in the line of ancestors of Jesus the Messiah. 

 Why have her listed among those others, if it didn't count for something meaningful? Why judge one person differently than that of the others? As I was saying, God does speak to people personally; and Rahab was someone that was spoken to, by God! How else would she have known who those spies were and that God was going to destroy her city? She was chosen for a reason, and it wasn't just to let those spy's escape. 

 What is the difference between the harlot Rahab and Mary Magdalene? Absolutely nothing...

"And so it happened just as the Scripture say: "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith." He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. Rahab the prostitute is another example, She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them away by a different road. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works." (James 2:23-26 NLT)