“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.” (Joshua 2:18)

What is the nature of the scarlet cord? The word translated ‘thread’ was not just symbolic, but strong enough to let the men of Israel down by the window, and in Joshua 2:15 is said to be a ‘cord’. It would have been a line twisted with various scarlet threads. What is the significance of the cord? It was the means of escape for the two spies, but also represented deliverance and salvation for Rahab and her family. What do we learn from this?

1.It was a singular (exclusive) cord- Rahab was an instance of the salvation of sinners by the Grace of God alone. She was a sinner by birth, by practice, and an infamous one, as are all whom the LORD saves. And yet, she was an instance of God’s distinguishing, free, and efficacious Grace. Just as the scarlet cord was designed only for her and her family, no one else in Jericho, so the purpose of God and His redeeming work are for an exclusive number of sinners whom HE has determined to save. Even as there was but ONE cord, so there is but ONE Way of Salvation in Christ, John 14:6.

2. It was an emblematic cord- ‘scarlet’ signifying the blood of the LORD Jesus Christ which He would shed for sinners, and by which the worst of sinners would be justified. The scarlet cord was an emblem of that blood of Christ. Redemption, justification, and sanctification and all the blessings of Grace are through it. Scarlet was the color of the fabric in the tabernacle, representing Christ’ shed blood, which was necessary for the remission of sins. The Word of God to sinners is, “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.” (Isaiah 1:18)