Sermon Central
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The Scarlet Line
Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 29, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: The two young men of Israel sent to spy out Jericho assured the harlot who hid them from the enemy that she and her family would be spared if she placed a scarlet line (or rope) in her window when the Israelites attacked the city.
THE SCARLET LINE
"And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window." Joshua 2:21
Joshua sent two young men of Israel to Jericho to spy out the city. The men went to the house of Rahab, a harlot, and lodged there. The king of Jericho, hearing of this, sent soldiers to Rahab and ordered her to deliver the men to them. Aware of their coming, Rahab hid the spies on the roof of her house among the stalks of flax there.
She helped the men to escape by lowering a scarlet line, or rope, from her window. She asked the men to promise that she and her family would be spared when Israel attacked Jericho. She was told that if she bound the scarlet line in her window she and her family would be spared. Now, some thoughts about the scarlet line itself.
I. THE SCARLET LINE HAD TO BE STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD THE MEN:
"The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1.
II. THE SCARLET LINE HAD TO BE LONG ENOUGH TO REACH TO SAFETY:
"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him. Hebrews 7:25.
III. THE SCARLET LINE HAD TO BE APPROPRIATED TO BE EFFECTIVE:
The instructions were clear and simple. Display the rope in the window. To disobey or disregard meant death whereas compliance meant life.
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5.
IV. THE SCARLET LINE HAD TO BE POSITIONED BETWEEN THE DANGER AND THOSE SEEKING DELIVERANCE:
Living in the shadow of the scarlet line...
A. Assured safety and deliverance:
"And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had, and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers who Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho." Joshua 6:25.
B. Made possible a new life, no longer a harlot but a respected woman:
"And Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David the king…" Matthew 1:5-6.
V. ARE YOU TRUSTING IN THE "SCARLET LINE" OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST TO PROVIDE YOU ETERNAL SAFETY?
In the words of the hymn: "Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power...Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?"