I reviewed the book This Scarlet Cord: The Love Story of Rahab by Joan Wolf.
I was absolutely fascinated by this book! Obviously, I love historical fiction, and I’ve read books by Joan Wolf before. This novel had me bookmarking all over the place. Wonderful phrases and statements about women’s hearts.
One conversation the main characters had about Rachel, the mother of Joseph, really got me thinking: Rahab said that it was her favorite Bible story not because Rachel was such a legendary beauty, but because she was important to be the love interest and center of the story. I’ve never thought of it in quite that way, but I love that description.
How many of us want to be important to God and to our husband?
Of course, the Bible reveals little about Rahab. She is named a prostitute. She helps the Hebrew spies. Her family is saved when Jericho is destroyed. This novel brings Rahab to life in a brilliant and loving way.
Rahab is important. She is important because she overcomes her name. She is not just a prostitute. She marries a Hebrew: Salmon. She becomes the mother of Boaz. She is a woman named in the genealogy of Jesus. Rahab is important.
I am recommending this book to all my girl friends. It is well written and has wonderful insights into women of the time period, both in Canaanite and Hebrew culture. I am teaching a Bible study on marriage and parenting and I will use this book as a recommendation when I discuss Rahab as an example of how the past doesn’t matter.
Jesus forgives us all and can call anyone to greatness.
He often calls the least equipped. We just have to be willing.
Book Description
Within one of the Old Testament’s most famous battles lies one of its most tender love stories.
Hidden within the battle of Jericho is the story of Rahab, a beautiful and brave young Canaanite woman who aided the Israelites by hanging a piece of scarlet cord from a window. This act of faith changed her life by placing her in the genealogy of Christ.
Rahab is the beautiful youngest daughter of a Canaanite farmer, taken to Jericho for the pagan New Year celebration so that her father can find her a wealthy spouse. Sala is the only son of an Israelite merchant, in Jericho as a spy for Joshua’s army. Their love would have been destined for heartache, were it not ordained by God.
When Rahab finds favor with the king, and is to become his ritual bride, she abandons the pagan gods who have abandoned her and pleads with the One True God of the Israelites for deliverance. With her prayer answered, she vows to deliver Jericho to Joshua, risking her life to do so.
Motivated by love and empowered by a new faith, Rahab saves her family, and secures her future as one of the most important women in the Bible.
Get the book for yourself and enjoy!
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