Yes—Rahab is significant because she is one of only four women named in Matthew 1's genealogy of Christ, and her Gentile, harlot background makes that inclusion a striking display of God's grace.
In Matthew 1, Rahab is placed in the family line of the Messiah. Les Feldick describes her as one of only four women in the genealogy and notes that most people would not want such women in their family tree. Her Gentile and harlot background makes her inclusion a striking demonstration of God's grace.
Matthew 1:5 — This verse records Rahab (Rachab in the KJV) directly in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, showing she is part of the Messiah's line.
The Bible records Rahab (Rachab in the King James Version) in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:5 says, "And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse." Rahab is named alongside Ruth as an ancestor of Boaz and ultimately of Jesus. The genealogy itself simply lists her; it does not add her background or explain her significance.
Les Feldick teaches that Rahab's appearance in Matthew 1 is remarkable because she was one of only four women listed in the genealogy—"the four women that I suppose most people would say, I don't want them in my family tree" (Clip 1). She was a harlot, a Gentile, and a non-Jew. God had mandated that Israel have nothing to do with the Gentiles, yet Rahab is in the Messiah's family line (Clip 2). Les connects this to Romans 5:20: where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Even before the program of grace was revealed, God's grace was always evident. As low as these people had fallen, God's grace went beyond their sins. These women were in direct opposition to God's instructions, yet in His mercy and grace He brought them into a place of renown in the genealogy (Clips 5-6). Les also lists Rahab as one of the few Gentile "exceptions" who had access to salvation before the Apostle Paul (Clip 7).
Les says most people would never want these women in their family tree. Rahab was a harlot, a Gentile, and a non-Jew, and God had mandated that the Jews were to have nothing to do with the Gentiles. Yet here she is, listed in the family line of the Messiah. Her faith was sufficient, and God recognized that faith.
Les uses Romans 5:20: "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Even though these women were in direct opposition to God's instructions, God's mercy and grace brought them into a place of renown by being in the genealogy. God has never changed; only His responsibilities to the human race have changed.
Les points to Tamar first—she "played the prostitute"—and then Rahab, who was also a harlot and a Gentile. Then there is Ruth, a Moabitess, whom Les calls taboo. These four women (Les says there are only four) show that grace, not human merit, is the thread running through the line of Christ.
Rahab's Shocking Faith — How a Harlot Ended Up in Jesus' Genealogy
believers, members of the body of Christ. Verse 26, oh, all these things that he's been dealing with in the book of Ephesians is to bring us to this place, that he, the God of glory, the Lord Jesus himself, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water. Oh, not baptismal water, but what kind of water? The Word, see? This is how we're cleansed.
Rahab in Matthew 1
Les notes that Rahab's little bit of faith was sufficient and God recognized that faith, and that she is one of only four women in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1.
Rahab's Background as a Harlot and Gentile
Les points out that Rahab was a harlot, a Gentile, and a non-Jew, and yet she is in the genealogy of Christ.
Same God, Same Grace
Les says the fact these people are in the genealogy points to Romans 5:20; God has never changed, only His responsibilities to the human race have changed.
God's Divine Appointments in Scripture – Ruth, John 4 & The Tabernacle Explained | Bible Study
And I think the word is so appropriate, it's supposed to be right after Judges. And yeah, it's still there. All right, come over to chapter 2. There's an interesting little word, and that's what made me think of it, as I was just rehearsing this, that people will say, well, we just accidentally ran into your program. No, you don't accidentally run into it, and yes, you do.
Grace Abounding Over Sin
Les applies Romans 5:20—where sin abounded, grace did much more abound—to the genealogy, showing that God's grace was evident even before the program of grace.
Mercy and Grace to Women in Opposition
Les teaches that even women in direct opposition to God's instructions were brought into a place of renown in the genealogy by God's mercy and grace.
Gentile Exceptions
Les lists Rahab as one of the few Gentile exceptions—along with Ruth and Nineveh—who had access to salvation before Paul.
Matthew 1:5: And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
This verse places Rahab (Rachab) in the line of Christ in Matthew's genealogy.
Romans 5:20: Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
Les uses this verse to show that the presence of flawed people in Christ's line demonstrates that grace superabounds over sin.
Rahab was a harlot, a Gentile, and a non-Jew living in Jericho. Her faith was sufficient, according to Les, and God recognized it, bringing her into the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1.
Rahab appears in Matthew 1 because she is in the family line of the Messiah. Les teaches that her inclusion shows God's grace—even though she was a Gentile harlot, God brought her into a place of renown in the genealogy.
No. Les teaches that where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. The point is grace, not approval of the sin. God is able to bring those who have fallen into a place of renown through His mercy.
Watch the Teaching: Rahab's Shocking Faith — How a Harlot Ended Up in Jesus' Genealogy