Lessons from Rahab destiny steps

Obituaries
BY HUMPHREY MTANDWA Looking into the bible we encounter a story of a woman who was called Rahab. The biblical character Rahab’s quick decision-making process changed the destiny of her family and put them in the lineage of Christ. Whilst reading a devotional book titled, Woman to Woman by Dr Shirley Inniss, my perception of […]

BY HUMPHREY MTANDWA

Looking into the bible we encounter a story of a woman who was called Rahab. The biblical character Rahab’s quick decision-making process changed the destiny of her family and put them in the lineage of Christ. Whilst reading a devotional book titled, Woman to Woman by Dr Shirley Inniss, my perception of Rahab was totally shifted. The bible does not hide the fact that she was a harlot.

Prior to her meeting the two spies, we don’t have any records of her story or the conditions that forced her into prostitution. Not much is even said about her people and her town. All we know about her is that she was said to be a prostitute and had a house by the wall. Many have preached on the significance of having a house by the wall and how one had to be influential or of affluence to have such a house. Society in her time viewed woman differently and not many had distinctive roles that could afford them such a property.

This woman was more than what historians have presented to us, but in reading the book Woman to Woman, I discovered her incredible skill sets. Dr Inniss writes: “Many look down on Rahab because what they fail to see is this incredible businesswoman. Rahab was a woman who seized a destiny moment. Rahab saw an opportunity to make the deal of a lifetime. I believe she was also a good person that genuinely wanted to help the spies. I also believe she was having internal religious battles as she confessed to the spies that she had heard of their God. Yet, she did not let her growing religious conviction or her desire to be helpful prevent her from profiting from her assistance. She told the men she would help them in exchange for the safety of her family. They agreed and later, when the men came back with the armies of Israel, they kept their promise to Rahab. Not only was she spared, but her entire household.”

Rahab took advantage of that moment to make a deal of a lifetime. Could this wisdom be the reason she had a house by the wall and had favour? Many assume the house by the wall was because of her prostitution business, but could it be it was because of wisdom and not prostitution? In this story I learnt so much from Rahab. She did not allow her past to control her destiny. She took advantage of a destiny moment when it presented itself to her. I discovered from her story  that we can help others and still benefit. This does not mean having a motive for every action, but what I do mean is making sure that when appropriate, create scenarios that are a win-win for everyone involved.

This is a critical mind muscle to develop. If you do not develop it you may never reach your destiny. Destiny requires strategic and calculated steps. Rahab’s destiny steps landed her in the genealogy of Jesus Christ! So, you must shake off your past, forgive yourself mistakes that have distracted you from your destiny and embrace a mindset that will help you achieve greatness, not only for yourself, but for all others connected to you.

God bless you.

  • Humphrey Mtandwa is an anointed minister of the gospel and teacher of the Word based in South Africa. He has written several books including The Enoch Generation, Truthfulness and Theophany. He blogs at mtandwa.blogspot.com and can be contacted via e-mail or WhatsApp on +27 610286350.