A Sign of Protection
Opening Prayer
I praise You, Lord, for Your great promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me (Josh. 1:5).
Read Joshua 2:17-24
[17] Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us [18] unless, 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. [19] If 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. [20] But 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. [22] When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them. [23] Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. [24] They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What report did the spies bring back to Joshua?The “spies” mission has been accomplished (24) at least in part because of what Rahab has told them (11). The future for Jericho looks bleak, as we will see in ch. 6. But what is to happen to Rahab and her family? This most unlikely person is drawn into the circle of God’s grace as the spies make a promise to her. Indeed, what the spies are doing is making a covenant with Rahab, an unshakable commitment to her. She, in turn, has to display a sign of that covenant: a scarlet cord hanging from her window to guarantee her and her family’s safety. This cord reminds us of the rope she used to help the spies escape. It also (because it’s red) reminds us of the blood smeared on the doorposts at the first Passover, which was itself a sign of safety and protection for those who belong to the covenant. Ultimately this covenant sign points us forward to the red blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God (John 1:29, Rev. 5:6). His blood seals the new covenant (Matt. 26:28), the ultimate sign of our safety and security.
Apply
Spend time thanking the Lord that you belong within his covenant of love, and nothing can change that.
Closing prayer
Loving Lord Jesus, how grateful I am for what You did for me. May I truly rest and trust in the security You’ve provided.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.