The Scarlet Mystery

Isaiah 1:18 (AV)

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

- Jericho was a walled city built on a hill situated six miles north of the Dead Sea

It was surrounded by an inner and an outer wall.

- The outer wall was supported by a massive sloping stone structure (retainment wall).

- The retaining wall was about 12–15 feet high.

- On top of that was a wall six feet thick and about 20–26 feet high

- Another wall 12-15’ from the first at the top of the hill 6’ thick, and 20-26’ high.

- Between the two walls, houses have been found

- Humanly speaking, it was impossible for the Israelites to penetrate the impregnable invincible Jericho.

- The wall of Jericho enclosed about 10 acres.

- Could walk around it in less than ½ hour

- 7th day may have taken 3 hours to circle it 7x

- Archaeologist's rule of thumb of 200 persons per acre

- At least 2000+ people

- Surrounding villages would have fled to Jericho for safety.

- Harvest had just been gathered Jos 2:6, 3:15

- The Ein Al-Sultan spring was located within the walls

- More than enough water for the entire population

- Prepared for a siege.

- Israel’s army had no siege engines, no battering rams, no catapults, and no moving towers.

- Their only weapons were slings, arrows, and spears—which were like straws against the walls of Jericho.

The Scarlet Rescue

Scarlet signaled her faith – Jos 2:18-21

Scarlet Lambs blood put on the door – Ex 12:22

Scarlet yarn is used to cleanse leprosy – Lev 14:2-7

Scarlet Robe – Mt 27:27-32 – Could not bare Jesus to be King

Rahab’s Journey

1. Condemned

- Rahab was:

• A women - Women had no direct access to power or decision making

- Had no rights

- Often treated with cruelty in war

Lamentations 5:11 (AV)

11 They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah.

• Prostitute –Underclass

- The payment a prostitute received was considered like the price of a dog

Deuteronomy 23:18 (AV)

18 Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Leviticus 21:9 (AV)

9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.

• A pagan

- Idolatrous

- No rights to the promise of God

Leviticus 18:24–25 (AV)

24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.

- Yet she was saved by grace, through faith

2. Believed

- Faith began in hearing God’s Word.

- “We have heard…” –Joshua 2:10, 11

- She was also able to say, “I know…” – Joshua 2:9

3. Worked

- Gave them Protection Joshua 2:4-6

- Gave them assistance Joshua 2:15-16

- Greatest evidence of faith was the scarlet cord - Joshua 2:18, 21

- While the cord was in the window Rahab knew she was safe

- The only safe refuge for a is the blood of Jesus – 1 John 1:7.

4. Obeyed – Jos 2:18-22

- Left the Cord

- Invited her family to salvation

5. Triumphed

- A Member of the nation of Israel –Jos. 6:25

- Lineage of David to Jesus – Mt. 1:5-6

- Listed in Hebrews Hall of Fame – Heb. 11:31

Ephesians 3:20 (AV)

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,