Rahab

Then Joshua son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." So they went, and entered the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and spent the night there. -Joshua 2:1

If you don't know the story... 

As the Israelites plan to take over the Promised Land by first conquering Jericho, Joshua sends spies in.  The spies enter the house of Rahab, a prostitute, for lodging, information, and probably sex. When the king of Jericho's men demand that Rahab give up the spies, she lies and defies. She hides the spies under the flax drying on her roof and sends the king's men on a wild goose chase. She later lets the spies out through her window and asks for protection for her and her family during the battle to come. The spies agree, telling her to hang a crimson thread from her window so the Israelites will know where they are.

Did you notice the parallels to the Exodus story? First, Rahab was like the midwives who lied and defied Pharaoh when they were ordered to kill all the boy babies they delivered. And second, that crimson thread is very reminiscent of the blood painted on the thresholds of the Hebrew households during the Passover.

Also, we find another unlikely biblical heroine in the fact that she was another marginalized person. Strike one: a Canaanite; Strike two: a woman; and Strike three: a prostitute. And Jesus is her most famous descendant.

God of the Marginalized,

It doesn't matter who we are, you love us and can use us for your good and perfect will. Amen.