The Scarlet Thread

And Joshua spared Rahab…Joshua 6:25

And she bound a scarlet cord in the window, Joshua 2:21. This simple act of faith spared her, and all who were in her house, Joshua 6:17. This act of faith is recorded again in Hebrews 11:31: By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

Her faith betrays her profession. By faith she says to the two spies, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt.” Joshua 2:9-10a

Her faith confirms her actions. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? James 2:25. Though she never escaped her past, for she is identified as “Rahab the harlot” she was spared death by her living faith: she did in fact tie the scarlet cord in the window. But Joshua had said to the two men who had spied out the country, “Go into the harlot’s house, and from there bring out the woman and all that she has, as you swore to her.” Joshua 6:22 and they did as they swore, verse 23.

Her faith inspires faith. Even today, people, seeing the terror in the land, turn to God. By faith, they tie a scarlet cord with their confession of faith, “I believe.” Like Rahab, they combine words with action. They say to God, “I believe” and they act upon that belief with acts of repentance. Many times, great acts of faith are as simple as tying a red thread, giving a cup of water, Mark 9:41: For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.