Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household. 19 Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head. 20 But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.” 21 And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

22 They departed and went into the hills and remained there three days until the pursuers returned, and the pursuers searched all along the way and found nothing. 23 Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them. 24 And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.” (18-22 ESV)

It has been said that a ‘scarlet thread’ runs through the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. When we come to understand it (or something of it) we realise this Book is, remarkably, all about Jesus and His death on the Cross. There is a hint, a manifestation, here in the book of Joshua. Please do read the whole chapter if you are able, but I am highlighting the section about ”the scarlet cord”. I have long believed it to be significant that salvation for Rahab and her family was to be found only in the house marked by this cord (Just as in Noah’s day, safety was only possible inside the Ark; just as at the Passover, only those ‘under the blood’ of the slain lambs were saved: ”…and when I see the blood, I will pass over you” Exodus 12:13)

‘To ”view the land” was a hazardous undertaking. The physiognomy of the Hebrews would certainly betray them, and it did. The sacred writer does not commend Rahab’s mode of life, nor her lies. Her morality was faulty enough, but beneath it, slowly smouldering, was a spark of pure love and faith, and this would consume the rubbish and burn clear, Heb.11:31…Her faith proved itself in her works – in her efforts to save others, and in the confidence with which she rested behind her scarlet cord. That she was sneered at and persecuted is quite likely, but she persisted and became an ancestress of Christ, Matt.1:5. How faith greatens the soul! See James 2:25…Rahab’s trust in the promise of the spies, and in the efficacy of the scarlet line around her window is a striking type of the faith that relies on the promise of God that those who are united with Christ shall be saved in this world and the next…the great salvation of Jesus is available only to those who are found ”in him,” having upon them the divine righteousness, Phil.3:9.’ F.B. Meyer

I also noted how God had graciously prepared the ground for what He was calling the Israelites to do (v.24, see also vv.9-11). He will do the same for us. We may well find ourselves open-mouthed at all He does to make it possible for each of us to fulfil His call. Let us not hesitate to step out at His command. He melts hearts, causes great waters to part, defeats kings, makes a way where there seems to be no way.

PRAYER OF THANKS: What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus