Book Review

 BOOK: RAHAB'S STORY

Author: Ann Burton 

Genuine love can be found in the most unexpected places and displayed by the unlikeliest set of people. 

Sometimes we fall into bad decisions, not necessarily as a result of what we did or didn't do but just because life happens, even to the best of us. 

Rahab was a pretty girl and a skilled weaver who lived with her father, sister, and stepmother because her mother died some years earlier. The stepmother hated her and did everything possible to make her miserable. Rahab's stepmother succeeded in sending her out of her father's house by accusing her of hitting her and serving other gods apart from the one recognised in the land. 

Rahab wandered the streets and came across a harlot who showed her more love and sympathy than her father could muster when she was accused. 

While Rahab's mother was alive, she taught her all about Jehovah and his laws secretly. Despite her mother's teachings, Rahab became a harlot. 

Rahab's story is likely to elicit sympathy for girls who engage in harlotry today. Not to condone or accept what they do as an inevitability, but just to bear with them, not judge them, and try to understand that they took the best option available at that very moment and made the best of it. 

This book expanded on the short version given in the Bible. It depicts the possible life of Rahab, which made the Bible refer to her as a harlot. It is a broader version, complete with characters, backstory, history, and events that were not included in the original account. The author brought the story to life by adding people, feelings, places, and events that could have taken place during those ancient times. 

There are many Rahabs living among us today who were cast out due to one reason or another. It is our duty to do right by them by not judging them but praying for them and, if possible, talking to them or helping them to forsake such a life by giving them an opportunity to work in a better place or equipping them with necessary, in demand skills they could trade with instead of their bodies. 

A glossary was placed at the end of the book to help with many of the unfamiliar terms used in the book.

As you read the story, you cannot help but feel for her as she navigates the curveball life throws her way. It makes you reflect on what you'd have done if you were in her shoes. Yes, we might judge her for toeing the path of harlotry, but are we any better? We might judge the father and stepmother, but are we any better? What do you do when the ones who should shelter you are the same ones who cast you out? What do you do when you are treated better by harlots than the ones you call family?