Jesus, your key to safety hidden in the scarlet thread

The presence of the scarlet thread is found in various places in the Bible, of which one occurrence is found in the story of Rahab in Joshua 2. There is power hidden in the scarlet thread that is relevant to us today.

When Joshua sent two spies into the city of Jerico, Rahab hid them from her people. When the king of Jericho enquired her about them, she refused to give them up and pretended like she did not know about them. When the time came that the two spies had to leave, Rahab “let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall.” (Joshua 2:15, NKJV)

Rahab further entered into an oath with the spies that she would not mention any word of them being there and she and her family will not be harmed by the time the Israelites return to take over the city, provided she kept her family in her house and tie the scarlet thread down the window, the same thread she used to let them escape from the city walls.

Joshua 2:17-18 says, “The men said to her, “We shall be blameless and free from this oath which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and bring into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household [so that they will be safe].” (AMP)

The scarlet thread was to be a mark upon Rahab’s house. It was the way by which the spies escaped from the people of Jericho. It was also the sign for the armies of Israel that no harm or violence were to come unto the house that was so distinguished.

The scarlet thread was like the blood of an unblemished lamb sprinkled on the doorposts of the Israelites, which secured the first-born of the so marked houses from being destroyed by the destroyer.

The scarlet thread is also a resemblance of the blood of Jesus. We, as believers are covered under the protection of Jesus’ blood. His blood preserves us from all evil. When we pray His blood over us, we are protected from the fiery darts of the enemy. It is His blood that saved us from our sinful nature, and it is the mark to the enemy that we are under the protection and household of Jesus. In Him we are already overcomers. When attacks are happening all around us, we should not fear as we are safe under His protection.

It is a position of protection and blessings that did not come at no cost, but through the covenant Jesus made on the cross. His blood was shed to overcome all sin and disease so that we can dwell and walk in His safety and provision.

Let Jesus’ scarlet thread be spread across your conscience that in Him you are protected, you are marked by Him and He is always watching over you, making good plans for you.

Maretha Retief

Illustration by Jeanne de Villiers