Chapter 6:21-26
At last the solemn moment had arrived. It was the seventh day, the day appointed of the Lord. The people of Israel had risen up at dawn, and they had marched around the city seven times. Then at the command of Joshua, they gave a great shout, and the walls of the city fell down flat! The power of the enemy gave way completely before the invading hosts.
It was a triumphant moment for Israel! But it was surely a terrible time for those inside the city, for the people rushed in at every part, “every man straight before him, and they took the city. And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city,... with the edge of the sword.... And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein.”
Only Rahab was saved. Her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall, (chap. 2:15). When the walls of Jericho fell down at the shout of triumph, her house remained intact, for the spies went into it and brought out into a place of safety all that were therein.
Rahab’s house, being on the wall, enabled the scarlet line to be seen more plainly by the invading conquerors. Her house being on the wall, but evidently standing alone in the midst of dreadful destruction, shows how God watched over her at that solemn moment and over all that were in that house. She found, and they found, that there was salvation and security from judgment for all who took shelter beneath that scarlet line. And each one now knows he is safe when he has trusted in the efficacy of the blood of Christ.
More often than not, when a city is captured, the conquerors flushed with victory, are not careful to discriminate between those who are to be spared and those who are not. Yet Rahab proved and all with her that there was salvation for them because the scarlet line was in the window. No one in that house had a hair of his head hurt, nor did Rahab lose one thing that she possessed. “They brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had.” The word of the spies was true. What a wonderful thing it is, dear Christian, to be in safety in the very place where judgment is being executed!
Rahab’s house did not stand because it was better built than the rest of Jericho’s walls, but only because of the scarlet line which was kept in the appointed place.
Judgment is coming on this unbelieving world, and God has appointed the day. We know who is to reign and to have everything put under His feet. The one who led in the great destruction of Jericho was the same one who told the spies to save Rahab and her household. And the One who, in the day that is drawing near, will judge the world in righteousness, is the same One who has revealed to us the way of salvation in the words addressed to the Philippian jailor: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
There is salvation and safety now for all who will avail themselves of it.
The world may not discern any impending catastrophe. Men say, “peace and safety,” but faith in a believer, like Rahab, will not be unprepared. Is every reader sheltered from judgment by the blood of Christ?
ML-07/03/1977