A Red Rope

O. T. #444 "A Red Rope"
January 21, 2015
Joshua 2-Part 4
Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.  Joshua 2:18

LET IT GLOW

Rahab hid the two Israeli spies up on her roof and she lied about their whereabouts. As a result, the king's pursuers left her house. Sometime during the visit, this pagan woman Rahab became a believer in God. We discussed that yesterday with verse 11.

What does she want in return for her kindness to the two Israelite men?

• She asks for kindness shown in return to her father's house.
• She asks for them to be saved from death.

There was no mention of a husband or children because as a harlot she would have had none. But now as a believer, her attentions was turned to the salvation of her family. The condition upon which their lives were spared became the eventual salvation of Rahab's family. (Falwell)

The two men made a deal, a covenant, with one condition-our lives for your lives, if she didn't tell what they were doing there. She sent the men out the window located on the city wall, some 12-15 feet tall. (Houses were built on wooden logs laid across the tops of the two walls.) Then she let them down with city wall by way of a scarlet thread, which was a red rope. Rahab was acting out her faith in these men and their God.

The color is fitting for those whose blood was under God's pledge of safety.
It's color represents the blood of sacrifice, symbolizing redemption (Ex. 30:10; Lev. 14:14).
(David Jeremiah)

The marking of Rahab's house with a red rope was similar to those marked at the time of the Passover back in Egypt with the blood of the lamb over the doorpost. Death came to everyone except those within such a house.

The Christian's safety is at the foot of the cross, trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He is our crimson cord. (Falwell)

Have you trusted in the blood of Jesus? Sins must be paid for with a blood sacrifice. Jesus is wants to by yours.

LET IT GROW


Rahab told the spies to go to the mountain and hide there three days. (There were caves where they could hide.)
The oath was only good if her family remained within the house with a red rope hanging out the window. Whenever Israel's army came, the house would be spared.
The pursuers searched for the spies along the road, without success. So the spies safely returned to their camp.

Rahab followed the directions of the men.
Do we follow directions of the Word of God after we have trusted in the blood of Jesus?

LET IT GO

Show kindness to others today.

Keep trusting in Jesus blood sacrifice made for me.

Follow His Word.