The story of Rahab in Joshua 2 is one of the most profound foreshadowings of redemption in the Old Testament. As the Israelites prepared to conquer the land of Canaan, God orchestrated an event in Jericho that revealed His grace, protection, and the power of faith. This chapter not only highlights the remarkable faith of a Canaanite woman but also points us to Jesus Christ—the ultimate fulfillment of salvation. The scarlet cord Rahab hung from her window serves as a powerful symbol of the blood of Christ, which alone secures our redemption.
Rahab: An Unlikely Recipient of Grace
Jericho was a fortified city standing in the way of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. Joshua, the leader of Israel, sent two spies to scout the land, and in God’s divine providence, they ended up at the house of Rahab, a prostitute. Humanly speaking, she was an unlikely candidate for God’s mercy. However, Scripture reminds us that God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).
Rahab’s testimony is remarkable. Though she was a citizen of Jericho, she believed in the power of the God of Israel. She told the spies:
“I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us… for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:9,11)
Her words reveal that she had more faith in God’s promises than many of the Israelites did. This faith set her apart and aligned her with God’s people.
The Scarlet Cord: A Sign of Salvation
In response to her kindness and faith, the spies promised Rahab that she and her family would be spared from the destruction of Jericho. The sign of this promise was simple yet profound—a scarlet cord hanging from her window. This cord was the mark of salvation, the visible evidence that her household would be passed over when judgment fell on the city.
The scarlet cord is a powerful biblical motif, pointing to the necessity of blood for redemption. Hebrews 9:22 declares:
“Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.”
Just as the Israelites were spared in Egypt through the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:13), so Rahab’s family was spared by the scarlet cord. This sign was not just a random token—it was a foreshadowing of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. Jesus, our Passover Lamb, shed His blood so that we might be saved from the coming judgment (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Jesus: The True Scarlet Cord of Redemption
The story of Rahab beautifully prefigures Jesus Christ, who is our true and ultimate source of salvation.
- The Scarlet Cord Represents the Blood of Jesus – Just as the cord marked Rahab’s home for salvation, the blood of Jesus marks the believer as redeemed. His sacrifice cleanses us from sin and rescues us from judgment (Ephesians 1:7).
- Faith in God’s Word Saves – Rahab believed in the power and sovereignty of Israel’s God, and her faith led to her deliverance. Similarly, we are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). It was not Rahab’s works that saved her but her belief in the God of Israel. Likewise, we cannot earn salvation; it is a gift from God.
- Salvation is for All Who Trust in God – Rahab was a Gentile, an outsider, yet she was grafted into God’s covenant people. Not only was she saved, but she also became part of the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). This demonstrates that God’s redemptive plan extends to all nations. Jesus came to save sinners from every tribe and tongue (Revelation 7:9-10).
- A Picture of Coming Judgment and Deliverance – Just as Jericho faced inevitable destruction, the world is headed for judgment. However, those who take refuge in Jesus, just as Rahab took refuge under the scarlet cord, will be saved. Christ bore our judgment on the cross so that we might escape condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Application: Holding Onto the Scarlet Cord
The story of Rahab urges us to place our trust in Jesus, our true Scarlet Cord. Just as Rahab had to act in faith by tying the cord to her window and gathering her family inside, we too must respond to God’s offer of salvation.
- Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ? The scarlet cord hung visibly for all to see, just as our faith in Christ must be evident. We are called to live as redeemed people, marked by His blood.
- Are you inviting others into the house of salvation? Rahab didn’t keep the promise to herself; she brought her family under the covering of the scarlet cord. We, too, must share the gospel so that others can find refuge in Jesus.
- Do you trust God even when destruction looms? Rahab had to wait for the fulfillment of the promise. Likewise, we wait for Christ’s return, knowing that our redemption is secure.
Conclusion: The Scarlet Thread of Redemption Weaves Through Scripture
The imagery of the scarlet cord is not limited to Rahab’s story; it is a thread that runs through the entire Bible. From the blood of Abel’s sacrifice to the blood of the Passover lamb, from the sacrifices in the Tabernacle to the blood Jesus shed on Calvary, the message is clear: without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.
Just as Rahab was saved by faith in the scarlet cord, we are saved by faith in the precious blood of Christ. In Him, we find the true and lasting redemption that secures us forever.
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed… but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Let us cling to Jesus, the Scarlet Cord of Redemption, and share His saving grace with the world.
