How Rahab was a Type of Passover, a Foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, and an example of Faith and Works Lived Out
Thumbnail Image: “Rahab” by Sarah Beth Baca https://www.sarahbethart.com/journal/rahab
Recently, I have been studying the fascinating topic of “typology” in the Bible. Typology can be simply defined as repeated patterns of characters and events seen throughout the Bible that foreshadow and fulfill God’s promises. (Hamilton, 2022, Pg. 26-27) We have previously looked over how Jesus Christ is the New Adam, which would make Christ a “type” of Adam, and similarly His mother Mary being a “type” of Eve.
When the Church Fathers commented on Scripture, it was common for them to point out examples of typology. A particular character that was examined by multiple Church Fathers was Rahab, the prostitute from Joshua 2 and 6.
While only briefly appearing in the Bible, Rahab was a crucial part of God’s plan for salvation. For this blog, we will first look over some of the ways Rahab’s story plays into the typological patterns we see in God’s salvation. We will then examine her character, and how both the Apostles and the Church Fathers saw her as a great example of how to live out faith.
Rahab as a Type of Passover
After Rahab takes in the spies of Israel and lies to the authorities to protect them, she makes a deal with the spies to ensure she and her family will be safe. After making an oath with her, the spies state:
“We will be free from this oath you made us swear, unless, when we enter the land, you tie this scarlet cord to the window through which you let us down. Bring your father, mother, brothers, and all your father’s family into your house. If anyone goes out the doors of your house, his death will be his own fault, and we will be innocent. But if anyone with you in the house should be harmed, his death will be our fault.”
Note the similarities between Rahab’s protection during the Conquest and the Hebrews’ protection during the Passover. (Exodus 12:13) The protection is from God’s execution on a pagan nation, confined to whoever is in a house with a red symbol on the outside. The study notes in the CEB Wesley Study Bible addresses these similarities and states, “…the red cord in the window alludes to the lamb’s blood on the doorposts. Rahab and her family will share Israel’s experience of salvation.” (2012, Pg. 282)
We see here how Rahab and her protection from Israel’s Conquest serves as a type of Passover for Gentiles who turn to God in fear and faith. With the Passover in mind, this helps us see how the Church Fathers connected Rahab to Jesus.
How Rahab Foreshadowed Jesus Christ
Understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a type of Passover is a common tradition in Christian theology. We see this understanding in the New Testament and the Church Fathers. Regarding Rahab, Clement of Rome makes this connection too:
“On account of her faith and hospitality, Rahab the harlot was saved... they (the spies) gave her a sign to this effect, that she should hang forth from her house a scarlet thread. And thus they made it manifest that redemption should flow through the blood of the Lord to all them that believe and hope in God. You see, beloved, that there was not only faith, but prophecy, in this woman.”
This understanding of Rahab’s type of Passover also foreshadowing Jesus would also be shared by Justin Martyr in the 2nd century.
Turning to the New Testament, let’s look over Rahab’s mention in Matthew’s genealogy. It is worth mentioning that there is debate as to whether or not the Rahab mentioned in Matthew 1:5 is the same Rahab from Joshua. Origen (3rd century) and scholars over the years have argued it is not the same Rahab. However, John Chrysostom (4th century) and other scholars in academia argue it is the same Rahab. (Stander, 2006, Pg. 37-39)
Assuming it is the same Rahab, this connection by Matthew would play well into his theme of Jesus being the Jewish Messiah. It has been noted by many how Matthew specifically references Gentile women in his genealogy. It has also been noted by many how a center theme in Matthew’s Gospel is to show Jesus as a type of Moses, and the Gospel as a fulfillment of the Passover. Rahab being in the family tree of Jesus shows more of how she and her type of Passover foreshadowed the Gospel.
Rahab, Faith, and Works
The author of Hebrews commends Rahab in their “Hall of Faith” section in Hebrews 11:31. James also looks to Rahab as a positive example. In arguing that faith without works is dead, Rahab is examined for her brave actions of protecting the spies from Jericho’s authorities. Not only did she trust that Israel’s God was superior, but she placed her faith in the Lord by risking her own life to a group of outsiders. Not only is she an example of faith and works coming together, but she is also an example of sincere, whole-hearted repentance before God.
Conclusion
Consider the extreme circumstances in the scenario of Joshua 2. Not only do the spies for Israel have to place their lives in the hands of a Canaanite, but a woman who would be considered unclean. This was a highly patriarchal setting, and one where the Israelites saw the Canaanites as pure enemies, and this was the person who God led them to place their trust in.
When it comes to God’s will and salvation, our bias and expectations no longer apply. Rahab challenges the cultural expectations of class and gender roles, just as Jesus Christ constantly did in His ministry.
“For the sign of the scarlet thread, which the spies, sent to Jericho by Joshua, son of Nun, gave to Rahab the harlot, telling her to bind it to the window through which she let them down to escape from their enemies, also manifested the symbol of the blood of Christ, by which those who were at one time harlots and unrighteous persons out of all nations are saved, receiving remission of sins, and continuing no longer in sin.” -Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 111.3-4
Bibliography
Hamilton, J. (2022). Typology: Understanding the Bible’s Promise-Shaped Patterns. Grand Rapids, MI. Zondervan.
Schaff, P. (2016). The Complete Ante-Nicene, Nicene, and Post-Nicene Collection of Early Church Fathers. Toronto, Canada.
Green, J. (2012). The Wesley Study Bible. Nashville, TN. Common English Bible.
Stander, H.F. (2006). The Greek Church Fathers and Rahab. Acta Patristica et Byzantina. Vol. 17, Pg. 37-49.
Howell, K. (2012). Clement of Rome and the Didache: A New Translation and Theological Commentary. Zanesville, OH. CHResources.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.