Do you remember the story in the book of Joshua about the two men who were sent secretly to spy out land that included the fortified city of Jericho? After ending their reconnaissance, they spend the night at the house of a harlot named Rahab. Word gets back to the king that two men from Israel had been spotted in the land at several locations and that they were now spending the night at Rahab’s.
So the king sends soldiers to Rahab and demands that she bring the men out so that they can be taken to the king and interrogated. But she disobeys the order and hides the men in separate places among the drying flax stalks on her roof. She then tells the soldiers that the men are gone and that they should pursue them to the city gates before they are closed.
Why would Rahab lie to the king’s men for two foreigners? Let’s pick the story up in Joshua 2:8.
(8) And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; (Now read carefully what she says.)
(9) And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
(10) (Now listen closely to what she says.) For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Simon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
(11) And as soon as we heard these things (I want to emphasize “we heard these things” because it’s so-o-o-o very important.) our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of the you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in the earth beneath.
Rahab tells the spies that Jericho is already defeated. The people had heard the story about how Israel’s God takes care of them, how He fights for them. And now they were terrified – no courage, no mental or emotional strength to fight (“our hearts did melt”).
The Red Sea
When Rahab tells the spies that Jericho had heard how the Lord had dried up the Red Sea for Israel, she was talking about an event that had happen 40 years ago!
Over the years, as I’ve meditated passages of scripture, the Lord has helped me understand the depth of many spiritual principles as I put myself in the passage.
How Jericho hears about the Red Sea
After the Lord delivers Israel by bankrupting Egypt (Exodus 7-12) and destroying its army in the Red Sea (Exodus 14), the people with firsthand knowledge of the events began to migrate to other parts of the region. They would talk about the incredible events with relatives and friends, who in turn retold the story with their neighbors and friends, who did the same. Because of the mind boggling destruction of Egypt, the story was told again and again and again for years.
Imagine Grandpa Henry gathering the family to tell them about what had happened to the Egyptians. See the wide-eyed looks and open mouths of wonder and amazement. He talks about the 10 plagues with such theatrics that you hear gasps and some say out loud “What?” And then a hush comes over the family as they lean in to hear him describe, in a barely audible voice, how the first child born in every family died in one day. Mothers screaming and crying and looking at the dead in unbelief. Now see the members of that one family going out and retelling the story.
We have no way of knowing the multiplication process involved in the telling and retelling of Egypt’s destruction.
Egypt was a little over 6,500 miles from Jericho. That’s like making a round trip from the west coast to the east coast here in the US. In a span of 40 years, Jericho had heard about Egypt’s destruction – from different travelers. How many times did they hear the story? I don’t know. But what I do know is this – Jericho had heard the story enough times from different sources that they had no doubts, whatsoever, that what was said to have happened to Egypt really happened.
And not only that, Rahab had settled in her heart that even with the walls the city had built, if the God of the Israelites had given them into their hands, then no wall would be able to stop them. It was a done deal!
Faith comes by hearing.
Now here is the spiritual principle that the Lord helped me to understand with a new depth of clarity – “So then faith cometh by hearing …” (Romans 10:17a) Jericho had heard about the destruction of Egypt enough times that it produced in the people a terror of Israel and their God. Jericho had come to the place of believing – of having absolute faith in – the fact that it truly happened! Are you following me? In 40 years’ time, they had heard the same story from different travelers again, again and again.
For the people of Jericho, repeatedly hearing what had taken place, even though they did not witness it themselves, was enough for them to believe they would suffer the same fate as Egypt. The more times they heard the story, the more real it became.
The coronavirus is being heard again, again and again.
The spiritual principle of “faith (getting to the point of really believing and accepting something) comes by hearing” is being demonstrated in a dramatic way today in our country and the world. The messages that we’re hearing again and again and again in the news has produced in some people an unhealthy level of panic.
Should we take precautions because of the virus? Of course we should. And we should continue the recommended hygiene practices after the virus is no longer deemed a threat. My point is simple: if we choose to “hear” the latest updates about the virus, we are setting ourselves up to – now hear me – to have faith in the virus.
What do you mean Bro. Barry? Let me answer it this way.
Turn to Matthew 9:29. “Then he (Jesus) touched their eyes (blind men), saying, According to your faith be it unto you.”
“Now turn to Mark 5:34. “And he (Jesus) said to unto her (woman with the issue of blood), Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”
Ladies and gentlemen, faith is a principle. It can work for us. It can work against us. The promises God, as detailed in the Bible – are you “hearing” these words again, again and again until they become absolute and unshakeable truth to you? Or, are you “hearing” words of the coronavirus agains, again and again that do not agree with the Bible?
Hold your finger here and turn to James 2.
(17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. …
(21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works …
(22) Seest thou how faith wrought with his works. …
(25) Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
(26) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Rahab’s “work of faith”
Let’s go back to Joshua 2.
(12) Now therefore (this is Rahab speaking), I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token (“something tangible that you will keep your word”):
(13) And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
The men of Israel agree to spare Rahab and her family if she swore not to tell the king of their plans. Rahab then let the men down by a cord through the window of her house, which was built upon the wall of the city. Before leaving, the men gave Rahab the “true token” she asked for.
(18) Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.
(19) And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the houses, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
Rahab asked the men to give their word that her family would not die in the death and destruction coming to Jericho. She also asked them for a “true token” – something she could see to remind her of their promise. And that “true token” was a scarlet thread. Rahab’s “work of faith” was having faith that what the spies had said they would do and then proving her faith by putting a scarlet thread in her window.
You know the story. The scarlet thread in the window meant salvation and life for Rahab’s entire family.
What is your scarlet thread?
We know what is happening with the coronavirus. The negativity bombarding our minds is relentless. Because of the changes in the stock market, layoffs, and the panic buying of every day household goods people are doing things that they would not normally consider doing. We know that there are specific things we can do in the natural to minimize and even negate the virus’ impact in our lives, but are doing these things your scarlet thread? Is this the “work” that you are putting your faith in?
We have received hygiene directions that can minimize the spread of the virus, and I and appreciate them. But, I’m wondering if gloves have become our scarlet thread? Has hand sanitizer become our scarlet thread? Has social distancing become our scarlet thread? Has an abundance of toilet tissue become our scarlet thread?
These are questions we must ask ourselves because the scarlet thread was the true token to Rehab that the spies would keep their word to her and her family. And the true token also represents God keeping His promise to us. What is God’s true token, scarlet thread, to you?
Ladies and gentlemen, if we’re going to truly demonstrate what it means to live as a member of God’s household, then there is only one source of scarlet threads that we can count on…
The Bible, God’s Word
What are some of the true tokens, some of the scarlet threads, we can put our faith in as our country and the world deal the coronavirus?
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who for giveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.” (Psalm 103:1-4)
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26)
“Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:6-8)
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. … Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14, 16)
23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) … 35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:23, 35-36)
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5)
Let your scarlet threads be the Word of God on your lips and what you hear again, again, and again. One more scarlet thread in closing.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:15-16)
When Rahab sent the spies away, she knew Jericho would be destroyed. She knew friends would die. But she also knew that if she kept her word, held up the end of the bargain, her family would be saved. When the spies left, she had to make sure all of her family was under her roof when the city was attacked. That was her guarantee. Any of her family that was not under her roof would die. She had to make sure that they were. Ladies and gentlemen, that was her responsibility.
So the question for us is this: God has given us His Word, which is chalked full of scarlet threads. The spies gave Rahab a scarlet thread and told her what she needed to do with it. God has given us His Word and He has told us what we need to do with it to get the results His Word promises to us.
Ladies and gentlemen, let’s make sure we guard our minds and hearts. Let’s make sure that what they receive comes from the very throne room of God. Let’s make sure that the Bible is the only source of scarlet threads in our lives. And when we do, the coronavirus will not concern us and it will not overwhelm us. And that’s a promise from our Father! Praise God!
