Becoming a grandmother for the first time is quite a special experience including deciding what the grandbabies will call you! I remember when we first received the exciting news that our daughter, Starlie was pregnant. Immediately we started deciding what we would be called. Sonny wanted to follow his family's example where they called the grandfather, "Paw Paw" and grandmother, "Granny". Since I did not feel like a "Granny" and liked what a friend's grandchildren called her, I became "Meme". Sonny looked at me and said, "Well, if you are called "Meme" do I need to be called "Pee Pee"? "Nooooo!" So, he stayed "Paw Paw"!
Many names have been used when becoming and referring to a grandmother and vary from "Nana", to "YiaYia", to "Grandma", to "GG". When my friend, Kathy, became a grandmother, she became "KK"!
I want to introduce you to a grandma who her grandkids might have called "RaRa". This grandma was not the ideal grandma who baked cookies wearing her polka-dotted apron! She did not have a great background but because of her, not only her grandchildren have a special life, we have a special life as well!
RaRa was a prostitute. Everyone knew her, not only in her city but the other towns around where she lived. Those in governmental positions, as well as travelers passing by all knew RaRa. But God chose her for a very special assignment!
The secret agents of Israel were sent in to evaluate the city in which RaRa lived. They were going to take over her city and land, for the land had been promised to the Israelites. RaRa's home was chosen to stay in and to get information. RaRa (or as the Bible calls her, Rahab) put her own life on the line to help these agents of Israel. "And Joshua, the son of Nun, sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went and came into a harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there." (Notice that only two were sent out this time. Do you think Joshua learned from when Moses sent out twelve spies and only two gave a good report in line with God's word to them? Maybe he picked two that would not be influenced by what they saw but would listen to the Lord's leading! Notice they were sent "secretly" as well. Sometimes we say too much. Guys, we don't have to say everything we know! Somethings are to be done in secret, so God's direction is not sabotaged, for not everyone is trustworthy!)
She recognized their God was the true God and chose to follow Him by helping the spies. (Continuing in chapter two), "8 And before they went to sleep, she came up unto them upon the roof; and she said unto the men, I know that the LORD has given you this land because the fear of you has fallen upon us and all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when ye came out of Egypt and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites that were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon, and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. Hearing this has melted our heart, neither has there remained any more spirit in any man because of you, for the LORD your God is God above in the heavens and in the earth beneath."
RaRa's people could have thought she was betraying them by letting their enemy know their condition. But Rabab was agreeing with the truth. We need to see what is right and true and side with it no matter what others think!
One time when one of my grandsons was in the second grade in a Christian school, he told me they were studying the life of Rahab. Wondering what they told his sweet, innocent mind about her occupation, I asked him what kind of work she did. "Oh, Meme, she was a businesswoman". "Yes, she was, honey, she certainly was!"
RaRa was also an amazing negotiator! "12 Now, therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD since I have shown you mercy that ye will also do the same unto my father's house, of which thou shalt give me a true sign, and that ye will save alive my father and my mother and my brethren and my sisters and all that they have and deliver our lives from death."
Rahab is our example for the Hebrew month of Cheshvan that we are in. It was the month in which the great flood began and a year later ended. As with Noah, Rahab had to make hard choices for their lives and their households! Rahab was one of the only two women mentioned in the "Hall of Fame" faith chapter! (Heb 11:31) Let's see why!
Later RaRa married Salmon, an Israelite who built Bethlehem. He was according to history not only a builder but one in position in community affairs carrying governmental authority. Isn't it interesting that the "rehab" of Rahab by the Holy Spirit positioned her to start over again? She witnessed her evil city destroyed but was spared by choosing what was right. Rehab then married someone who would build a city where their son Boaz would be born and rule as a chief, later marrying a woman named Ruth. Rahab became "RaRa" to a little boy named Obed and the great-grandma (or "GG RaRa") to King David also born in Bethlehem! (Ruth 4:18-22).
Because of RaRa's actions of courage, our Savior, Jesus Christ, is in her bloodline! Wow! (Matt 1:5) God used someone who others judged and thought was of no decent value. But she was able to discern what was true and have the courage to save herself and her family. I think her hard life made her strong!
This is a month to tap into courage! It's time to make hard but right choices. It's a month to not compromise in order to make others happy...let's "RaRa"! https://annasgate.org/cheshvan/
~Dr. CarolMarie
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