Joshua 2 (5)

Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.” So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.” Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window. Joshua 2.15-21

Reflect.
1.  Can you identify the images in this passage which point to Jesus? 

2.  It is important that the Scriptures come to us from beyond time into time, at one particular time or another. Thus, the full meaning of all Scripture is complete from the beginning, even though Scripture was given through men in stages, at various times. Reflect on John 5.39. Why are we justified in seeing references to Jesus throughout Scripture, such as we do here?

Think about it.
The spies want to make sure they can fulfill their promise to Rahab. We’re not sure whether they produced the line of scarlet thread or whether that was the rope she used to let them down through the window (the Hebrew uses two different words, but they overlap in meaning). The cord was scarlet so that it could be easily recognized, but, of course, as a means of deliverance for Rahab and her family, the color has a larger significance.

Rahab helps the spies escape to safety by lowering them from a window in her home to the ground outside the city wall. The apostle Paul experienced a similar “salvation” during his time in Damascus (Acts 9.23-25). 

After three days’ hiding, the spies will be able to return to the camp on the east side of the Jordan. Three days in the earth and their mission would be fulfilled, and they could return to him who sent them with a report of certain victory.

Those who would not shelter under the scarlet thread would have to bear their own guilt (v. 19). Rahab’s job was to tell the plan to her family and do everything in her power to secure them within her home. That might not have been as easy a task as you might think. Rahab was, after all, a harlot, and it’s not improbable that she may have been estranged from her family. The story she would relate to them would be fantastic enough at any rate. Thus, some effort at persuasion would be required for her to bring salvation to her family – and perhaps to be reconciled with them together under the scarlet cord.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Three days, a scarlet cord, salvation for those who would abide under that token: How should such details help us in appreciating the divine provenance of Scripture?

2.  How was Rahab’s task like that with which we are commissioned as witnesses to Jesus Christ (Acts 1.8)?

3.  Read Genesis 15.12-18. Can you see any similarities between this act of covenant-making and that which the spies entered into with Rahab?

“So, too, with a mystic reference to the shedding of blood, it was a scarlet cord which the harlot Rahab (a type of the church) hung in her window that she might be saved at the destruction of Jericho.” Jerome (347-420 AD)

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but Your blood, Lord Jesus! Help me today to proclaim Your salvation to…

Pray Psalm 126.
Do you have a vision for sowing the Good News of Christ’s salvation to the people in your Personal Mission Field? Should you expect that this will be an easy task, or one that you can complete in a short time? As you pray this psalm, ask the Lord to give you a vision for reaping, and a plan for sowingthe Good News of Jesus.

Psalm 126 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
When God restored our fortunes all, 
We were like those who sweetly dream.
Our mouths with joy and laughter filled, 
Made Him our constant song and theme.

Then the astonished nations said, 
“The Lord has done great things for them!”
Indeed, great things our God has done, 
Whose Name we praise, Amen, Amen!

Restore our fortunes, Lord our King!
Let grace like flowing streams prevail.
All they with tears of joy shall sing
Who sow while yet they weep and wail.

They who in tears of sorrow sow
And cast their seed on every hand, 
With joy shall reach their heav’nly home, 
And bring the harvest of their land.

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).