A Scarlet Cord

The Story

Before Israel entered the Promised Land, Joshua sent two spies into the walled city of Jericho. They ended up at the house of a woman named Rahab, a prostitute whose home was built right into the city wall.

The king of Jericho found out and sent soldiers to her door. Rahab had hidden the spies under stalks of flax on her roof. She told the soldiers the men had already left, and that they should hurry if they wanted to catch them.

Then she went up to the roof and told the spies something surprising. “I know that the LORD hath given you the land.” Everyone in Jericho had heard how God dried up the Red Sea. Their hearts had melted with fear. “The LORD your God,” she said, “he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”

She asked them to spare her and her family. The spies made her a promise: tie this scarlet cord in your window, and bring your family into your house. Everyone inside will be safe.

Rahab let them down the wall with a rope, and as soon as they were gone, she tied the scarlet cord in her window.

When the walls of Jericho fell, the spies went straight to her house and brought out Rahab and her whole family. She lived among God’s people from then on. Generations later, her name appears in the family line of Jesus.

Reflection