#DailyDevotion On The Day Of Destruction, Do You Have A Scarlet Thread?
June 27th
Read Josh 2:1–24
Jos 2:9-13 and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you…(12) Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign (13) that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death”… (18) Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household.
The news of the Lord’s dealing with the Israelites and those they encountered had reached the promise land. Through it, the Lord was fulfilling his promise to deliver that land to the Israelites. Here in Joshua we have the account of one pagan woman who heard the news of the Lord’s working and believed it. Having encountered the Israelite men she puts her trust in the Lord and does what is right by the men. She seeks a sign that they will keep their word that her household will be saved when the Israelites defeat Jericho. The give her a sign to place scarlet cord outside her window and those who stay in that house will be saved but any who depart from it will be killed. This scarlet cord is much like the blood of the Passover lamb which was put on the door post and lintel of the door post which told the angel of death to pass over those houses. This scarlet represents the blood of Christ. It is only through his blood that we have life and salvation. Interestingly enough, this woman and one of the spies would be the ancestor of Jesus, the Messiah. Her faith saved her.
Now we too need the blood of the Lamb to deliver us from death. The Lord Jesus Christ gave us two signs which are seals and pledges of what he promises us. We have both Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, both which convey to us the very blood of the Lamb, Jesus. In baptism we are truly washed with the blood of the Lamb. Rev 7:14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Act 22:16 And… now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ In the Lord’s Supper he gives us his very blood to drink– Mat 26:27-28 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, (28) for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. So we who are baptized and receive the blood of Christ in his supper, who remain in the House of the Lord i.e. Church need not fear the wrath of the Holy Angels when Christ returns. Death, destruction, the wrath of God shall pass over us even as it did the Israelites in Egypt and Rahab’s house in Jericho. Put your trust in the One whose blood delivers you and be well marked with it.
Lord Jesus Christ, through your ancestor Rahab you taught us to trust in your very blood for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. Grant us such faith in your blood that we partake of this seal and pledge frequently that we may be assured even as Rahab’s house was that you will deliver us. Amen.