Harlots           20/21.4.20


Harlots

Loose women

Ladies of the night

Oh the distaste in our tone

And the scorn in our eyes.


Ladies gainfully employed

In the oldest profession

Definitely not noble

And of no reputation.

Selling their favours for a fee

Taking advantage of men and their needs.


Dressing seductively

With ' come hither' looks

Using every trick 

In the books

And then maybe some more..


Many a young man

been led astray

Many a marriage

has given way..

Their charms too irresistible

The lure of the flesh,

Courtesans, hookers

call them what you may.


But in the days of yore

There was a special whore

Who stands out from the rest

By her many were blessed,

Rahab was her name

Her family was saved

Because she believed.


Her home strategically placed

She could also lie straight faced.

Story of the Red Sea 

turned into dry land

Amazing feats 

Our God's mighty hand.

Rahab took a decision

That had implications for

Many generations.


She made a pact 

With the spies

Hid them under the flax

As it dried.

A red cord in the window

The designated sign

For Rahab the bold

'Woman of the night'.


Rahab' s faith 

Ensured that

She and her family were saved.

Endured the fall

of Jericho's great wall

And that's not all

Her name's right there on the rolls

In the genealogy of Jesus.


Surely must be a joke

Saviour of our souls

Associating with a ....

But He specialised

In seeking the lost

Never fearful of ruffling feathers

Overthrowing protocols

The more the better. 


The sinful woman who entered uninvited

Came to Jesus and anointed

His feet with her tears

Wiped them with her hair.

If that wasn't scandal already

Alabaster jar emptied

Expensive scent rare

Sweet rich perfume filled the air.

But only she perceived

The redolence of forgiveness so sweet. 


Can you imagine the scene

in the home of Simon the Pharisee?

The men all agog

And who knows, some blushing?

While the women shocked

Craning and jostling;

Maybe some in awe, 

Of the pure love

And acceptance they saw enacted.


Jesus could see

Beyond the made up eyes and cheeks

An oftloved but abused body..

The soul starving for worth and dignity..

Not a momentary burst of passion

Ecstasy in exchange for mammon.

But a desire to be loved

Unconditionally

And to know that

She was treasured eternally.


He looked deep

into her soul

In a moment

He restored. 

The years of sin and shame

The burden of guilt and pain

All laid down at the Master's

Tear washed feet

All given to Him

Amidst the fragrance so sweet. 


We may not know 

Any such ladies by name

But they exist

In the byways and lanes

Earning their bread.

Victims of poverty

Bereft of security

So let's pray for them.

Think of ways we can reach

Show them the Gospel of love 

Not preach..

Precious women all,

Children of an Awesome God.





Lisa Choudhrie




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