As we consider Matthew’s women, vis-à-vis those whom he inserted in the genealogy of Jesus, we come to Rahab (Matthew 1:5). Thirty-eight years prior to Israel’s entering the Promised Land, Moses sent in twelve spies to check out the land and deliver a report to prepare them militarily. What occurred was, ten of the spies delivered a bad report, saying, the land was, indeed, fertile and a prize to be had, but there was no way they would be able to conquer the Canaanite armies, because they were so strong (Numbers 13:25-33). The Lord punished their rebellion, saying no one of that generation, save Caleb and Joshua, would enter the land. So, after wandering in the wilderness until the last rebel died, Joshua sent in two spies for the same reasons as before (Joshua 2:1-2).
Although they were sent in secretly, they were found out almost immediately and known to be in the inn of Rahab, the harlot, who may have been a temple prostitute. When the authorities came to her inn, they demanded she turn the spies over to them (Joshua 2:2-3). Rahab, however, hid the two men among the stalks of linen on her rooftop, and she told the Jericho authorities that she hadn’t realized the danger the men presented. She deceived the authorities by saying the men had just left, and they could overtake the spies, if they hurry after them outside the city (Joshua 2:7).
Once it was safe, Rahab went to the men and let them down the city wall with a rope, advising them where to go and how long they should remain there, while the authorities searched for them (Joshua 2:15-16). Moreover, since she had saved their lives, Rahab made the men swear they would deal kindly with her and her family. once the Lord had given them the land (Joshua 2:12-14).
What is interesting is the text seems to show the spies entering Jericho on their mission to spy out the land. In other words, they didn’t fulfill the mission by traveling throughout the land. What occurred that made their mission unnecessary was the fact that Rahab rehearsed for them all that the Lord had done for Israel after leaving Egypt. She disclosed how the hearts of the people were like wax for fear of them (Joshua 2:8-11). Nothing that the men could have done by traveling throughout the land could have added to that understanding of the state of fear the Canaanite people were in. These men succeeded, because they believed the word of a woman. Reversing the patriarchal premise, it was a woman, Rahab, who inspired a nation. She did what Caleb and Joshua were unable to do 38 years prior. Thus, Rahab plays a crucial role in Israel’s history, just prior to their entering the Promised Land.
Another interesting story occurs after the monarchy was established in the land. David was reigning as king over all twelve tribes, and at the time when kings went out to war, the text says David stayed in Jerusalem. He sent out his armies, but he didn’t go with them (2Samuel 11:1)! One has to wonder why David stayed behind. But, if ensuing events are a clue, he lusted after a woman near his palace, and, although he probably knew who she was, he asked about her identity (2Samuel 11:2-3). The woman’s name in the text is Bathsheba, and she was the wife of Uriah, the Hittite, the loyal servant of David, who is also listed as one of his mighty men (1Chronicles 11:41). What’s odd is that Matthew doesn’t list Bathsheba by name, which lends to the possibility that the name’s meaning: daughter of the oath was important. Matthew alludes to her by saying David sired Solomon by her that had been the wife of Uriah (Matthew 1:6), a reference to the fact that David had Uriah slain in order to hide his sin of adultery.
Almost, Bathsheba appears to be a tragic figure in Israel’s history. What could she say or do to keep the king from taking her in adultery? The child that she birthed as a result of the adulterous affair died, perhaps only seven days old (2Samuel 12:15-18). What is interesting is that Jewish tradition holds that Solomon wrote Proverbs 31 to honor his mother. There it says she claimed (Solomon) was the “son of her vows” (Proverbs 31:2).
Late in King David’s reign, while he lay dying, his son Adonijah had seized the throne, claiming he was the heir. Under advice from Nathan, the prophet, Bathsheba went to David, asking if he had forgotten his promise to have their son, Solomon, succeed him. If he defaulted, both she and their son, Solomon, would be considered enemies of the state and undoubtedly slain. Long-story-short, David had Solomon declared king in his stead. Nevertheless, if it hadn’t been for this woman, Israel probably would not have entered their golden age until much later, if at all. If Bathsheba had simply submitted to her circumstances dictated by the males in authority (the rule of patriarchy), Solomon would never have reigned in Israel. She was truly a virtuous woman, especially if the Jewish tradition concerning Proverbs 31 is factual… “Many daughters have done virtuously, but you have excelled them all!” (Proverbs 31:29). What praise for a woman who had such influence over two kings in Israel’s history!
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