Devil Grass
Rahab the Harlot and Salmon, son of Nahshon, head of the tribe of Judah gave birth to Boaz. What was it like growing up as Rahab’s son…
Outside the Camp?
When we look back at these stories, we recognize that God intentionally included Tamar, Rahab and now Ruth, all women “outside the camp” of the Israelites. What did they have…
Ruth, the Outsider
Naomi left Bethlehem full but came back empty. As poverty bangs on their door, Naomi tells Ruth that she can glean in the fields of the farmers during…
Ruth the Moabite
We meet Ruth as the daughter-in-law of Naomi. Elimelech, Naomi’s husband was a prominent Israelite from the tribe of Judah, but when famine hit Bethlehem he packed up his family…
All Things New
“Among God's people Rahab found a safe place in which to learn the ways of Yahweh and His people. Rahab was given a second…
Rahab’s Identity
What makes a conversation unforgettable? I can't remember what I did last week but this morning, a conversation I had as…
Welcome, Rahab!
We don’t know who embraced Rahab and insisted the other women welcome her as well. What we do know is that just as Rahab provided a…
A Safe Place for Rahab
In keeping with their promise to Rahab, after winning the battle of Jericho, "the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, and her…
The Scarlet Cord
Rahab helped the Israeli spies on one condition. She asked them to promise to save her family. The spies agreed with their…
Rahab the Harlot
As we journey to Christmas with the Midwives of the Messiah, Rahab the Harlot joins us. Surprised to know that a woman of such “ill repute” shows up in the…
I Take Your Hand
Grace flows through Tamar’s story. God includes Tamar, a Canaanite woman whose moral judgment appears deeply flawed, in the legal bloodline of…
I Will Help You
After God killed Er and Onan, Judah feared giving his youngest son to Tamar. Instead of looking inward or recognizing God’s sovereignty over the deaths of his…
Two Unchangeable Things
For years Tamar lived with the knowledge that Canaanite and Jewish law required Judah to care for her. When her mother-in-law died, Tamar concluded she had no hope…
The God Who Cannot Lie
Soap operas have nothing on Scripture and Tamar's story is no exception (Genesis 38). Through his father, Jacob, God promised Judah that the…
God Will Make a Way
At the last minute, my friend couldn’t accompany me to the event where I was speaking but the two hours passed quickly as I drove and listened…
Tamar – Don’t Forget Me
The pastor asked the elderly, childless widow, “What can I do for you?” Her simple response: “Don’t forget me.” I heard the same cry in…