Seventh In Ramah

Joshua 2, 6, 9

Joshua 2 is where we first meet Rahab. She was the harlot of Jericho (or one of at least) and lived on the city wall. Some historians say houses built on the wall or close to it were where the poor lived. They would be the first ones under attack in war, so not great property value. It paints the picture that Rahab didn’t have much. She probably didn’t have a lot to offer in exchange for her safety. She went with genuine help and kindness. Rahab hid the two Israelite spies before ever mentioning her request. She put that kindness first as an act of good faith. 

Joshua 2:12-13 “Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.” 

The men agreed to deal kindly and truly with her during and post-conquer under certain terms. Her nor her family could tell of their plans. When she saw them enter the land she must bind the line of scarlet cord in the same window she had let them escape, and make sure her family was together in her house. She agreed and bound the scarlet cord in the window. That was her lifeline, she did it right away. 

When the Israelites started their march around Jericho, Rahab had to feel on the brink of her salvation. The king of Jericho knew they’d be coming, they had their city locked up tight. I can see Rahab sitting by the window, watching the Israelites approach the city. I can see her running to tell her family, “This is it! Make sure all of your things are together and come over quickly!” Maybe she did a head count to make sure all family members were accounted for when the Israelites got closer. I bet she double and triple checked that scarlet rope was still in the window. The Israelites got to the city. They started walking around the wall, rams horns could be heard. They must be looking for a way in right? Maybe it’s a mind game before attacking the city? But no.. they returned to their camp. I wonder how Rahab felt watching them leave. Defeat maybe? Confusion? At some point, I think she would’ve remembered God’s reputation and the reputation of Joshua. She might not have known the plan, but this wasn’t the end. Hope is not lost. The scarlet rope stayed in the window. The next day they showed up again. I bet some array of the same feelings flushed her face. Everything’s still in order? Everything is ready to go? Everyone accounted for? Then they left again. She could hear her salvation, see it so close she could drop down to it, but the gates were still locked. The Israelites still on the other side. 6 days in a row they came and left. That scarlet rope probably more tattered, a little thread barren by now. What would lead her to believe the 7th day would be any different? They’re walking again. Everything’s together. Everyone’s here. There’s the rams horns again. Wait.. what’s that shouting? Why is the wall—? The moment she realized the wall was cracking had to be pure pandemonium. This is it! It’s happening! Salvation is here. What a rush! But what if they forget? The scarlet rope was probably in the rubble with the wall. They wouldn’t forget about their vow? They’ve seen it walking all this time, right? There’s no telling the magnitude of feelings she felt until she saw the men that came to save them. The adrenaline until they were out of the city safe. 

Word got out quickly of all Joshua had done at Jericho and Ai. Surrounding kings were binding together to create a more powerful army. Instead of joining, the Gibeonites devised a plan of deception. Faux ambassadors they made themselves gathering old sacks, mended wine skins, patched up sandals, thread barren garments, and some dry, moldy bread. Off they set to deceive their way into a covenant with their neighbors at Gilgal, Joshua and the Israelites. They really leaned into it, told them a wild tale of traveling from a far country. 

(Joshua 9:12-13) “This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy. And these wine skins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”

A flat out lie against one of the most feared men of the times. Joshua didn’t take it to God, he believed the “evidence” in front of him and made a covenant with them. 

It wasn’t long before he found out he had been tricked. I’m sure he stood there for a moment as he was realizing these people had actually loaded up moldy bread. Probably went over the fine details of this covenant very carefully on the way to them. Was it specifically with the people or the land? There has to be some fair game here? He was mad, but good at his word. He didn’t destroy them like I’m sure he wanted to. Instead they became servants of the people, woodcutters and water carriers. I wonder if they wished they had just added their numbers in with the mega army forming. 

Deliverance. That’s what Rahab was after. That’s what the Gibeonites were after. Rahab heard of the reputation of the God of Israel and of Joshua. She wanted to be a part of that instead of the fate she knew was coming. She did the right thing then stood on faith. A scarlet rope in the window becoming tattered and thread barren as a sign of that faith. Her family was spared, her life became something she could be proud of, and her name forever in the lineage of Jesus. The Gibeonites heard of their reputation as well. They stood on their own cunning ways and sought out to deceive. Their already thread barren clothes a sign of that deceit. They made their own opportunity. They became servants for the rest of their days. 

“The ends justify the means” is creating our own deliverance. Taking things into our own hands instead of trusting God doesn’t honor Him. We become servants to whatever end result we’ve created. When we put all our faith in God and wait on Him.. honor Him, do our part to further His Kingdom.. our deliverance turns into a legacy. God uses our thread barren faith to make us more than conquerors.