Advent Day 8: The Scarlet Cord

The Promised Redeemer’s lineage would include bravery, heroism, brilliance, faith, courage, prostitution, treason, deception….and this is from just one person in the line of the Messiah….

After the children of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for forty years, it was time for them to enter the Promised Land. Joshua 2 tells of Joshua sending two spies ahead into the Promised Land and into the city of Jericho. In Jericho the spies took lodging in the home of a harlot named Rahab who lived on the  outer wall of the city. The king of Jericho discovered through the grapevine of the spies presence in his city, and more specifically that they were lodging in the home of Rahab the harlot.  The king sent Rahab a message ordering her to bring the spies to him. But she did not  obey. Instead Rahab hid the spies from the king. She then told the king's messengers that she had not realized who the men were and they had already left her home. Rahab wrapped up this part of her covert op by telling the king's messengers that the men had already gone out the city gate, but if they hurried they might catch them. So, she sent the king and his men on a wild goose chase!

Rahab had just committed serious treason. She and her entire family could be put to death for her actions. But she was unflappable. She waited until dark, and then helped the men escape from her roof; down the city wall. She not only helped them escape, she gave them instructions on how to avoid capture from her own people. Rahab was one amazingly brave lady. Just before the two spies took their leave, Rahab did one more thing. She extracted a promise from the men. These were her words....

"I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's household, and give me a pledge of truth, and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death." Joshua 2:9-13

The two spies agreed. They told her, her life for their lives. They instructed her to tie a scarlet cord to the window and not remove it. This would identify her home when the Israelites came. They also told her only those who took refuge under her roof would be saved.

What an incredible woman!! She was not just concerned about her own life. She wanted to save her loved ones. What we may overlook is the serious jeopardy Rahab would have to place herself in to try and save her family members. She would have to tell them what she had done, and then pray none of them turned her in to the king. She was willing to risk her life to try and save as many of her family from destruction as possible. I am in awe of her bravery and faith in God! In AWE!!! It is no wonder Rahab is named in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11:31, and in James 2:25 as an example of faith right alongside Abraham!

When the Israelites miraculously took the city of Jericho by a mighty act of God, the two spies kept their promise. Rahab and her family who were with her were saved. After the fall of Jericho, Rahab made her home with the Israelites and married an Israelite from the tribe of Judah named Salman. They had a son named Boaz, who married a Moabitess named Ruth (we will visit them later). They had a son named Obed, who had a son named Jesse. He had a son named David who became King of Israel….King David!!!

Rahab is one of only five women recorded in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew. Do you think as Rahab was hiding the two men or lowering them over the wall she could ever have imagined what honor God would bestow upon her because of her courage and faith in Him? Could Rahab ever have dreamed that she, a woman of ill-repute…a Gentile…would become the great-great-great-grandmother of the great King David? Or in her wildest dreams that she would be listed in the genealogy of Jesus, the KING of kings and Lord of lords??! ! Rahab was honored because she lived her faith through her actions, not her words!

Rahab had heard of the Living God of the Israelites, and believed in Him. She believed He would accomplish all He said He would.  Rahab put her faith in the one true God for her salvation from the coming destruction. She had not seen with her own eyes, but had heard, believed, and acted on it. She was so certain of the truth, she told others. She tried to convince them of what was coming and begged them to take shelter in the one place that promised life. What an amazing example of being a witness, and with love and concern trying to tell others of the salvation being offered them. What a beautiful example she is for us of what it looks like to live out our faith no matter what the cost. What a wonderful example Rahab is for all of us in so many ways.

One more thing before we leave this piece of the scarlet thread we are following to our Messiah's birth.....during a German excavation (1907-1909) of the tell of Jericho, something interesting was uncovered. There was a portion of the northern wall that had not collapsed like the rest of the walls around Jericho. Within this intact wall system, there were houses built against this wall. How awesome is that??!!

May the blessings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, pour over your homes this Christmas season! Merry Christmas!!!!