The Secret of the Scarlet Cord

The second chapter of Joshua tells the story of Rahab, a prostitute who had a house on the walls of pagan Jericho, where she conducted her business.  For years she had been listening to the truth about the LORD while she provided “hospitality” to travelers coming through the city. By the time the LORD was ready to give the city into the hands of the Israelites, Rahab had developed a strong faith in the LORD, Israel’s God.When the spies snuck into the city, she welcomed them.  She fed the LORD’s spies, and then hid them from Jericho’s police.  Because of her they were able to escape, return to their camp on the other side of the Jordan River, and report to Joshua about the fortifications and people.In the process of hiding them, Rahab stated to the men, “I know your God, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.“  And she asked the spies to save her when the Israelites invaded.  They agreed.  All she had to do was tie a scarlet cord in her window.  This sign promised that she and her family would be saved from destruction.  The scarlet cord became the symbol of her faith and her hope for the future.The Hebrew word for “cord” used in Joshua 2 is tiqvah (pronounced tick-vah).  Tiqvah is the word for HOPE in the noun form, used throughout the Old Testament. Isn’t it marvelous that the Author of Scripture uses the same word that gave Rahab hope (cord) as the noun form for HOPE in the rest of the Old Testament?  Do you see the connection?What did Rahab receive by putting the scarlet cord in her window?— She was given life for herself and her family when Joshua’s troops burned down Jericho and killed everyone in the city.— She was given an opportunity for a new future, one that she could devote to the LORD,  which was clean, moral, and free from her life as a prostitute.— She became the wife of the spy Salmon, and as such became the great, great grandmother of King David (Mat. 1:5)  Thus, she was key in the lineage of Jesus.So is it with us.  Our hope is that of salvation, a new future, and a relationship with Jesus.  “Find rest in God; my hope (tiqvah) comes from him.” (Ps. 62:5)“For you have been my hope (tiqvah), Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.” (Ps. 71:5) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you tiqvah (your own scarlet cord) and a future.” (Jer. 29:11)So try this:  hang a scarlet cord in your window. Or bind one on your wrist. It is a reminder that God has given you hope.  That hope is in Jesus.  Through Him you have an awesome future under God, and you participate in the family and activities of Jesus.  Your personal scarlet cord is Christ’s shed blood.