A red rope

The king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house.” But the woman took the two men and hid them. …

She came up to them on the roof and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land … The Lord your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the Lord that you in turn will deal kindly with my family.” … The men said to her, “Our life for yours! If you do not tell this business of ours, then we will deal kindly and faithfully with you when the Lord gives us the land. … 

“Tie this crimson cord in the window. … If a hand is laid upon any who are with you in the house, we shall bear the responsibility for their death.” … She tied the crimson cord in the window.

Read the full passage.

The Israelites have been wandering in the desert for 40 years, and now it’s finally time to move into the land that God promised them. That land is called Canaan, and it’s filled with people who don’t love or trust God.

But when two Israelite spies sneak into the city of Jericho in Canaan, they get help from someone they least expect: a woman named Rahab. Even though she’s not an Israelite, she has heard about the God of Israel. And she believes that he is the true God. After she helps the Israelite spies, she asks them to protect her family when the Israelite army comes to knock down Jericho.

The spies agree—if she hangs a red rope in her window so they know which house to protect. The red rope will save Rahab’s life.

That red rope hanging in her window looks a lot like a trail of blood, which reminds us of the blood of Jesus. When Jesus died, his blood saved our lives, just like the red rope saved Rahab’s life. If we trust in God, like Rahab did, we get to join God’s family and be protected.

Why didn’t the Israelite spies tell Rahab to hang a purple rope in her window? Do you think Rahab was afraid to help the Israelite spies?