The Scarlet Thread

Introduction

I. First stop, Jericho

God has commanded Joshua to be courageous. And then he commanded Joshua to cross the Jordan. Israel, under the command of Joshua, has now done that. And they arrive at their first major challenge, the city of Jericho.

II. Rahab and Sarah

In this second chapter of Joshua, we find one of the two women named in “The Heroes Hall of Faith” we read about in Hebrews 11, and her name is Rahab. The other that was named was Sarah, the wife of Abraham.

Now, Sarah was a godly woman who was married to the patriarch of Israel. Rahab was a prostitute, a Gentile, and worshipped pagan gods. In our minds, these two women had little in common, but as I have expressed to you many times, we cannot see things as man sees them, we must see things as God sees them. The things that separate these women are nothing compared to what unites them, and that is a saving faith in the God of the Bible.

III. A Working Faith

In the book of James 2:21-26, James describes Rahab’s faith.

James 2:21–26 NKJV

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Here, James is telling us that a saving faith produces good works.

Now, that’s not to say that works save us, but it is to say that when we are saved, we want to live for God. People can get out of God’s will and can live according to the flesh, but the person that does that needs to seriously consider their salvation.

IV. A Picture of Jesus

First of all, Rahab is listed in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:5.

Secondly, when the spies instructed Rahab on how to be saved, they instructed her to display a “line of scarlet cord” to prove her acceptance of God.

This scarlet cord is representative of the blood of Jesus Christ. In the Hebrew, the word seen as scarlet in v. 18 is actually “crimson”, the color of blood.

Third, when the judgement of God was brought to Jericho, Rahab was saved because of the crimson cord that she displayed.

So, she is a picture of the salvation of Jesus Christ.

V. What’s the deal with Faith?

What are the principles of faith that we can learn by examining the life of Rahab?

I. Providential Faith

Now, the name of our church is Providence Baptist Church. The word providence refers to God’s activity in providing for the needs of His people.

These spies that Joshua sent out needed a place to stay, and God sent them to Rahab.

Joshua 2:1–7 NKJV

Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.” So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.” Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.” (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.

Holy Spirit Providence

Rahab’s house was on the wall of the city. There were actually two walls that surrounded Jericho, and they were about fifteen feet apart from one another.

Now, Joshua does what he knows to do and he sends in two spies. This was not an act of unbelief but an act of intelligent planning. Who would go to battle without first understanding the enemy? Only a bad leader would ever do that.

So, Joshua, being wise, sends in spies.

You might believe in coincidence in your life, but I don’t. I believe in the guiding hand of God. I believe that it was an act of divine providence that those spies ended up at the home of Rahab.

Of all the people in this great city, the spies were able to locate Rahab. One thing that often goes unnoticed about Rahab is that she was already committed to following Jehova before the spies ever arrived at her house.

And just like God, by His Holy Spirit, guides us in every step of our lives, the Holy Spirit was doing His providential work to bring those spies to the home of Rahab.

God does this all the time with people, when they are searching for the truth, God will bring one of His messengers to them. Jesus sent Peter to Cornelius. The Holy Spirit sent Philip to the Ethiopian…and if you’re open, there are people all around you that God will send you to.

Notice that…God doesn’t send people to us, He providentially sends His messengers to seek and to save those who are lost.

Don’t desire a Self-Centered Providence

When we think of the definition of Providence, you know what our minds immediately go to? How is God’s providence active in making my life better?

When what we need to be is available to God’s providence when it concerns other people.

Providence in everyday life

Now, think of where we are in the text. These spies are out doing their jobs, and they happen to stumble upon a woman who needs salvation, a woman who is open to salvation, and a woman who can help them out.

Not everyone has a story like Philip where they are transported to the wilderness. Most people are won to Jesus Christ under average, everyday circumstances.

Brother Larry Oliver tells me that he woke up that Monday morning and prayed to receive Christ.

I’ve heard of many men who are saved on street corners, in the floorboard of a truck, or even listening to Christian radio.

The providence of God in our life is usually found in the ordinary.

And don’t get the idea that you have to do something extraordinary to be following the lead of the Holy Spirit. Most of the time, following the Holy Spirit is just a daily decision to be open to doing whatever God needs you to do.

I’ve discovered so many times that God was enacting His will through me when I didn’t even know it. Not because I am so spiritual, but because God is so willing and ready to use His people to accomplish His will.

For these spies, even though their job was extraordinary, their interaction with Rahab was just business as usual. They were being used by God and didn’t even know it.

I read that when Adrian Rogers preached this text, he said in his sermon, “If God is not bringing you face-to-face with people who need the gospel, maybe you ought to ask yourself ‘Why am I not having these opportunities?’” He went on to challenge his people saying, “May it be that you’re not steerable, useable, and guidable?”

Listen, church, just lay yourself down everyday, get into the Word of God, and allow God to use you. Whoever and whatever is in your path that day, think of it as God’s providence. Tomorrow when you wake up and go about your day, have faith, have trust, that God is using you to according to His providential plan.

So, faith in God yields the providence of God in your life.

II. Steadfast Faith

The word steadfast means firm. So, through the life of Rahab, we see what it means to have providential faith but also a firm faith.

Joshua 2:8–11 NKJV

Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

Think of what Rahab is saying.

She is saying, “I heard of everything that your God did and we are afraid.”

What she is actually saying is, “I believe in your God and know that He can do things that man cannot do.”

That sounds like a steadfast faith to me!

The Object of Faith

What I want to highlight is the object of Rahab’s faith. The object of her faith was in God. She knew and she understood Who God was and what He could do. Therefore, her faith and her fear was for Jehova.

That’s why so often we will hear that phraseology, “firm foundation of faith.” Because faith by itself doesn’t stand, and faith is only as good as the object of faith.

therefore, if faith is only as good as it’s object, what is the formula of a firm fatih?

The Formula of a firm Faith

Look at what Rahab is saying.

Joshua 2:9 NKJV

and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you.

I. Faith requires factual understanding, “I know”

Her faith was based on the facts of Who God was, evidenced by what she has already seen God do.

So, that’s why it’s good for us as believers to be in the Word, and to hear the testimony of those around us concerning the goodness of God. Because our faith in God is not based on feelings, our faith is based on what God has evidenced through His providential care.

Furthermore, our faith is rooted and grounded in God’s word. For, Scripture says, Romans 10:17

Romans 10:17 NKJV

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

When we get a healthy diet of God’s word, not just on Sundays and Wednesdays, but everyday, our faith will increase.

Why? Because in His word we can see that He is the same God that always has been, and if they could trust Him then, we can trust Him now.

So then, when we understand that, we also understand that trusting the facts doesn’t mean seeing the finish line, it means trusting the fact that God is good and His mercy endures forever.

We always want the facts of the situation, but the only fact that matters is that God is in control and we can trust Him.

II. Faith involves deep emotion, “Our Hearts Melted”

Joshua 2:11 NKJV

And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted;

Now, faith is primarily based on evidence, primarily based on facts, but there is nothing wrong with being emotional along with our faith, so long as our emotions don’t override our trust in God’s word and His character.

Have you ever had your heart melted?

I think everyone has. It’s an emotional process that leaves us feeling hopeless. But, in Rahab’s case, it was the power of God that made her feel hopeless towards her way of life, and then to turn in faith to the God of the Bible.

Hopelessness can be emotional, but it also originates when we come face-to-face with the reality that we cannot stand before God without come kind of salvation.

III. Faith requires surrender, “The Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”

Joshua 2:11 NKJV

the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

This indicates that Rahab was in total surrender. She has now, because of the facts of His power and rule, because of her hopeless estate, has surrendered fully to God in faith, understanding that He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

Rahab’s conversion, just like our conversion, was a total act of grace. Grace applied to a surrendered heart.

Continual Surrender

but friend, surrender to God is not a one time ordeal. It is an everyday adventure. Living for Jesus means living one step at a time, asking God for His providential hand to guide you. And, as you are going about your day, you must live in full surrender to Him so that He can deepen your faith.

When it comes to cultivating that steadfast faith, we must obtain it by understanding His word then submitting to His will. When we get His word deep into our hearts, then we will have a firm foundation for our faith, and it won’t waver in times of trouble

So, we see a providential faith, a steadfast faith, and now we see a

III. An Enduring Faith

What good would our faith in Christ be if it couldn’t endure? Personally, I wouldn’t consume myself with the practice of holiness and godly living if I wasn’t guaranteed to make it to the end.

I want some assurance. I want the object of my faith to endure through all the pains of life, not just quit and give out when judgement comes.

One day I am out knocking on doors to tell people about Jesus Christ. I come to one man’s door and I knock, he comes out…it’s about 9:00 in the morning. It’s obvious that he hasn’t gotten up yet.

I say, “Hello, my name is Dylan Westbrook and I go to Friendship Baptist Church. I want to ask you if you have every heard of Jesus Christ before?”

He responds, his hair all pushed over to the side, “Actually, I’m a Jehova’s witness. I don’t want to talk to a baptist about this.”

Very plainly I said, “I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to be knocking on my door then. It’s kind of late, I think the other Witnesses are going to make the 144,000 before you get the chance.”

I don’t want a faith like that, that says it’s up to my effort to obtain salvation.

I’ll give you another,

So many make such a big deal about losing your salvation. Well, if I could lose it was it ever salvation to begin with? And, if I could lose it, what does that say about the power of God?

When you say that we can lose salvation, are you saying that the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross wasn’t good enough? If so, I think the Bible would like to have a word with you.

Even more so, who gets to determine how bad I have to be to lose my salvation. Does the preacher get to determine it? Does a group of men get to determine it? Who does? The Bible that I read says that God determines my salvation, and that He determined I was saved when I trusted in Jesus as my hope of heaven.

Joshua 2:12–21 NKJV

Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.” So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the Lord has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.” Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.” So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.” Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.

Do you see that last verse there? “‘According to your words, so be it.’ And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.”

Do you understand why I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I am going to heaven? Because I have an enduring faith.

Not because I can generate faith, not because my level of faith saves me, and certainly not because I can do something to hold onto my salvation.

I know that I have an enduring faith “according to your words” and according to the scarlet cord that I placed on my heart.

By Faith I Accepted Christ

What I have done is by faith I have accepted Christ. Because God’s word says so, I have trusted that Jesus died on the cross for my sin. And as I trust Him, he painted His scarlet blood all over my heart and all over my sin.

So that now, when God looks at my heart, He doesn’t see wicked sin, he only see’s that blood of the Lamb. He only sees the blood of Jesus.

Look again in v. 19

Joshua 2:19 NKJV

And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him.

Translation, “whoever is covered under that scarlet promise will be free from judgement.

Not By Works

So, you see, we were all like Rahab. Helpless against the judgement of God, but when we put the blood payment that Jesus made on our hearts, we became free from the judgement of God.

Not just for a season, but for all eternity. And just like Rahab was entered into the Heroes hall of Faith, we have been entered in Christ’s Book of Life, the book that He will read when He judges the world.

Conclusion