Joshua 2:17-21

¹⁷Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us ¹⁸unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. ¹⁹If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. ²⁰But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”
²¹“Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

Treason

There are stories in the Bible that humans may find it difficult to accept as it is. Humans’ definition of righteousness is not necessarily righteousness to God. Furthermore, things that are not righteous to humans can be righteous before God like the act of treason of Rahab. Yet, Rahab was righteous before God.
It is rhetorically stated in James 2:25, ²⁵In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

What is treason? Treason is any attempt to overthrow the government or impair the well-being of a state, nation or country to which ones owes allegiance. It’s the crime of giving aid or comfort to the enemies of one’s government. . That was exactly what Rahab did when she made a treaty with the two spies that Joshua sent to Jericho.

Joshua sent two spies to Jericho and they went to Rahab’s house. Rahab hid them when the king of Jericho sent men to search for the spies. How the two spies made the right decision to go to Rahab’s house, and why Rahab helped them can be concluded as God’s provision and guidance.
Were the two spies scared when they enter Jericho? Were they scared when the king of Jericho sent men to search for them? Was Rahab scared when the spies came to her house? Was she scared of the searching men sent by the king?
There are many difficult questions that are not obviously answered in the Bible. Difficult situations are opportunities to experience more of God’s grace.
Anyway, Rahab appealed for the safety of her family but the two spies advised her of what to do for her and her family to be safe from the hands of Israel.

1. Advise

¹⁷Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.

Rahab asked the two spies to swear to her by the Lord that they will show kindness to her father, mother, brothers and sisters and all that belong to them—that they will spare their lives. Rahab believed that the Lord has given the city of Jericho into the hands of the Israelites.
The two spies advised Rahab to tie the scarlet cord they used to escape. The scarlet cord would be a sign for the invading Israelites to spare the house of Rahab and everyone and everything inside her house.
They also advised Rahab that nobody among her family should go out of the house. Anybody outside the house of Rahab would be killed.
¹⁹If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. ²⁰But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”

How did Rahab gather her family in her house, and ask them to say inside her house without raising any question? Were her brothers and sisters adults or children? Did her parents and siblings ask her why she gathered them in her house?
Did Rahab’s family live in her house or in different house? How easy has Rahab persuaded them to come to her house? Did she tell them what’s happening? The spies sternly and strictly advised her not to tell what they were doing or else their agreement to spare her and her family will be dissolved and terminated.

Rahab was in a breath-taking situation when she helped the two spies? What if the king of Jericho learns about her act of treason? What if the spies won’t be true to their promise? How can you trust an enemy or invaders?
Speculation helps to reconsider situation but God has mysterious ways. Mysterious ways of God identifies believers from others. Others question the authenticity of God’s word while believers would apply His word into their lives.
Does God intentionally hide mysterious things from humans?

Jesus explained this in Mark 4:10-12, ¹⁰When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. ¹¹He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables ¹²so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’”

Many Christians are tempted to explain mysterious things in the Bible but only those who believe in Christ would accept our message. Don’t you observe this reality often? We explain the gospel as thorough and careful as possible but not everyone would prayerfully accept the message.
Most likely, listeners respond to sermons according to their spirituality. The deeper their relationship with the Lord is, the more joyful they would respond positively. Others, however, find it hard to hear the voice of the Lord.
Nobody’s exempted. Believers are encouraged to challenge a message.
Ask God to give you discernment to distinguish the voice of the Holy Spirit from the preacher’s voice. It is God’s grace at work in us if we abide in His word.

2. Agree

²¹“Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

Immediately after Rahab let the spies escaped, she agreed and did what has been told her to do. She tied the scarlet cord in the window. Why scarlet not violet, blue, green or yellow? Was it to see the scarlet move vividly from a distance?
Were scarlet cords identified with prostitutes in Rahab’s time? It says in Revelation 17:4, ⁴The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.

Scarlet is very attractive color and not exclusive for prostitutes. It is also a favorite color of the rich, famous, powerful, and holy people. For purification, scarlet yarn was a requirement for Israel. In Leviticus 14:49, ⁴⁹To purify the house he is to take two birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop.

In Rahab’s case, the scarlet cord showed that the two spies were very intentional and particular of what they expected from Rahab. The spies and not Rahab decided what sign they wanted to see.
Some Asian culture hanging scarlet cords invites good fortune into their home. Do you agree that your favorite color reveals your personality? Do you agree that colors can affect mood and behavior, too?
Many churches are very passionate about color. Church people find it hard to yield their preferences about what to paint the church building. People ignore God because they cannot accept His word and they missed God’s grace. Likewise, believers missed God’s grace by paying much attention to trivial things like color.

When Rahab was told to tie a scarlet cord, she did not argue why scarlet. She found no malice in it. Safety of her family was more important than irrelevant thoughts about the scarlet cord or even the repercussion of her act of treason. She placed her self and her family in a difficult situation when she helped the spies.
Are you worried about safety or provision? God sustains us until His work in us is complete. It says in Ephesians 2:10, ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good work, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Discover the good work God has prepared in advance for you. To obey God and not worrying about the after effect of action proves growing faith in Him.

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