Joshua 2:15-24
15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall.
16 And she said to them, “Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not encounter you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. Then afterward you may go on your way.”
17 And the men said to her, “We shall be exempt from this oath to you which you have made us swear,
18 unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather into your house your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household.
19 And it shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house outside will have his blood on his own head, and we will be innocent; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him.
20 But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be exempt from the oath which you have made us swear.”
21 She then said, “According to your words, so be it.” So she sent them away, and they departed; and she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
22 So they departed and came to the hill country, and remained there for three days, until the pursuers returned. Now the pursuers had searched for them all along the road, but had not found them.
23 Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country, and they crossed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun. Then they reported to him all that had happened to them.
24 And they said to Joshua, “The Lord has indeed handed over to us all the land; furthermore, all the inhabitants of the land have despaired because of us.”
The Spies Return
A scarlet cord
Rahab let the spies down by a rope through the window to help them escape the city. This was because her house was within the city walls. A similar thing happened to Paul when he was in Damascus (ref. Acts 9:25). She also instructed them to go to the hill country opposite Jordan and hide for three days. The two spies then said to Rahab: (1) “Tie this cord of scarlet thread” to the window. As they said, “this scarlet thread” (there is an article before the word), this cord has already been mentioned. Looking back within the context, in verse 15, the spies were let down by a “rope”; this cord of scarlet thread is the same rope. Some people want to interpret the scarlet cord as the blood of Jesus. While the desire to do so is understandable, there are no Bible verses that validate this interpretation. (2) Additionally, they instructed her to gather her family in the house and said, “It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head.” (3) They further added that if Rahab should tell anyone of this business, the two will be free from the covenant. After Rahab sent them away, she immediately tied the scarlet cord to the window. Her faith was of one accompanied by works.
Spies’ report
The two spies hid in the hill country for three days until the pursuers gave up. Upon returning to Joshua, the commander-in-chief, they reported every detail of their experience. (1) The Lord (YHWH) has given all of that land to us. (2) The inhabitants of that land were trembling in fear, for what they have heard of us. Their report was nothing like the report brought back by the 12 spies 40 years ago (ref. Num. 13). The new generation of believers has matured, and now at last, they were prepared to enter into the promised land. The Lord had providentially prepared Rahab, a harlot, for the Israelites. Even today, the Lord will stretch out His hands to keep those who trust Him. Let us not withdraw in faithlessness but be made to press forward in faith.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I am thankful that those who trust in You will never be disappointed. Today, I will walk by faith. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.