Have you ever been reduced to just one aspect of your identity? Perhaps you made a mistake years ago that still follows you, or people see only one dimension of who you are. The Bible contains powerful stories of individuals who were similarly labeled, yet their full stories reveal so much more.
The Woman Behind the Label
"Rahab the Wise. Rahab the Negotiator. Rahab the Courageous. Rahab the Savior. All of these would be fitting labels for the woman who saved her family and everyone in her household from death and destruction. But the Bible and readers across the centuries remember her simply as Rahab the Prostitute."
In Joshua 2, we read the remarkable story of a woman who risked everything to protect Israelite spies and negotiate salvation for her entire household. She demonstrated incredible faith, declaring, "The Lord your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below" (Joshua 2:11). Yet throughout history, she's primarily remembered for her profession.
As my wife Tricia, who worked with women in clubs and on streets in metro Atlanta, pointed out to me: "You know, it's a tale as old as time. The 'Johns' never get the blame. It's always the women who suffer the consequences."
Consider this: the two Israelite spies who visited Rahab's establishment are never labeled as "Johns," though scholar Wilda Gafney argues it's unlikely they went there for innocent reasons. Even in Hebrews 11, where Rahab is praised for her faith, she's still called "Rahab the Prostitute," while King David, mentioned nearby, isn't labeled "David the Murderer" or "David the Womanizer" despite these being accurate descriptions.
The Leader Whose Story Was Diminished
Similarly, Judges 4 introduces us to Deborah, described as "a prophet, a fiery woman" who led Israel with wisdom and courage. Under her leadership, the Israelites defeated the Canaanites in a battle so decisive that it led to forty years of peace.
Deborah was such a powerful leader that her general, Barak, refused to go into battle without her. Yet in later Biblical references, Barak receives credit while Deborah's name is often omitted. In Hebrews 11, the same chapter that mentions "Rahab the Prostitute," Barak is honored while Deborah isn't mentioned at all.
The Rahabs Among Us
This raises an important question: "Who are the 'Rahabs' among us that we tend to reduce to just one aspect of their personhood? Is it the woman we call an 'illegal alien' who carried her baby on her back across the desert to escape gang violence? Is it the drag queen who is no more a danger to children than any random straight white guy? Is it the guy in the red MAGA hat who acts as a Good Samaritan to someone stranded by the side of the road?"
Perhaps that's why Matthew's Gospel includes Rahab in Jesus' genealogy. Jesus consistently showed compassion to those society had labeled and dismissed.
Seeing Beyond Labels
The stories of Rahab and Deborah challenge us to look beyond the labels we place on others. Both women demonstrated extraordinary courage, wisdom, and faith, yet history has often reduced them to simplistic identities or, worse, erased their contributions entirely.
"Maybe you know what it's like to be labeled something—either fairly or unfairly—that weighs on you long after the fact." If so, you're in good company with these Biblical heroes whose full stories reveal so much more than their labels suggest.
Putting It Into Practice
The Woman Behind the Label
"Rahab the Wise. Rahab the Negotiator. Rahab the Courageous. Rahab the Savior. All of these would be fitting labels for the woman who saved her family and everyone in her household from death and destruction. But the Bible and readers across the centuries remember her simply as Rahab the Prostitute."
In Joshua 2, we read the remarkable story of a woman who risked everything to protect Israelite spies and negotiate salvation for her entire household. She demonstrated incredible faith, declaring, "The Lord your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below" (Joshua 2:11). Yet throughout history, she's primarily remembered for her profession.
As my wife Tricia, who worked with women in clubs and on streets in metro Atlanta, pointed out to me: "You know, it's a tale as old as time. The 'Johns' never get the blame. It's always the women who suffer the consequences."
Consider this: the two Israelite spies who visited Rahab's establishment are never labeled as "Johns," though scholar Wilda Gafney argues it's unlikely they went there for innocent reasons. Even in Hebrews 11, where Rahab is praised for her faith, she's still called "Rahab the Prostitute," while King David, mentioned nearby, isn't labeled "David the Murderer" or "David the Womanizer" despite these being accurate descriptions.
The Leader Whose Story Was Diminished
Similarly, Judges 4 introduces us to Deborah, described as "a prophet, a fiery woman" who led Israel with wisdom and courage. Under her leadership, the Israelites defeated the Canaanites in a battle so decisive that it led to forty years of peace.
Deborah was such a powerful leader that her general, Barak, refused to go into battle without her. Yet in later Biblical references, Barak receives credit while Deborah's name is often omitted. In Hebrews 11, the same chapter that mentions "Rahab the Prostitute," Barak is honored while Deborah isn't mentioned at all.
The Rahabs Among Us
This raises an important question: "Who are the 'Rahabs' among us that we tend to reduce to just one aspect of their personhood? Is it the woman we call an 'illegal alien' who carried her baby on her back across the desert to escape gang violence? Is it the drag queen who is no more a danger to children than any random straight white guy? Is it the guy in the red MAGA hat who acts as a Good Samaritan to someone stranded by the side of the road?"
Perhaps that's why Matthew's Gospel includes Rahab in Jesus' genealogy. Jesus consistently showed compassion to those society had labeled and dismissed.
Seeing Beyond Labels
The stories of Rahab and Deborah challenge us to look beyond the labels we place on others. Both women demonstrated extraordinary courage, wisdom, and faith, yet history has often reduced them to simplistic identities or, worse, erased their contributions entirely.
"Maybe you know what it's like to be labeled something—either fairly or unfairly—that weighs on you long after the fact." If so, you're in good company with these Biblical heroes whose full stories reveal so much more than their labels suggest.
Putting It Into Practice
- Examine your language: How do you describe people? Are you reducing them to a single aspect of their identity?
- Look for the full story: When you encounter someone with a label attached to them, make the effort to learn their whole story.
- Amplify silenced voices: Like Rahab and Deborah, many people's full contributions go unrecognized. Be someone who highlights others' complete stories.
- Reflect on your own labels: What labels have been placed on you? How might God see beyond those labels to your full potential?
RSS Feed
