The Red Thread
(NRSV) Joshua 2:12 Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the LORD that you in turn will deal kindly with my family. Give me a sign of good faith 13 that you will spare my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 The men said to her, “Our life for yours! If you do not tell this business of ours, then we will deal kindly and faithfully with you when the LORD gives us the land.”
15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the outer side of the city wall and she resided within the wall itself. 16 She said to them, “Go toward the hill country, so that the pursuers may not come upon you. Hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers have returned; then afterward you may go your way.” 17 The men said to her, “We will be released from this oath that you have made us swear to you 18 if we invade the land and you do not tie this crimson cord in the window…
We all know the story of Rahab, the woman who hid the Israelite spies who had come to gather information about Jericho. Oh how I love this story of faith, obedience and redemption which I call “The Red Thread.”
The spies found themselves at the home of a prostitute, who probably could have turned them over to the authorities for a nice reward. But Rahab had heard of the exploits of the Israelites, and she knew God was on their side. So she hid them and then lied to the authorities.
The spies agreed to save Rahab and her family, but only if she hung a red cord from her window so they would know which part of the wall to spare. A red thread, symbolic of the blood of Jesus that would one day save each one of us, became the emblem of her faith. Not only did the spies keep their word, but Rahab became one of two Gentile women in the bloodline of Jesus.
Faith, obedience, redemption and deliverance–can you see how one leads to the other? The stepping stone of faith leads to the obedience of the cross, and at the foot of the cross we find redemption, which then sets us on the pathway to deliverance. God’s plan will always be fulfilled, just as it was for Rahab.
May we each respond to God with obedience, allowing our faith to guide us on the pathway of holiness.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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