What can we learn from Rahab's actions about protecting our families today? When Family Is on the Line Joshua 2 opens with Jericho on the brink of destruction. Rahab, a marginalized woman in a pagan city, recognizes that the God of Israel is the one true God. Her plea in Joshua 2:13 is simple and heartfelt: “and spare my father and mother and my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and save us from death.” In that cry we meet a woman willing to risk everything so her family will live. Lessons in Protective Love • Love that acts: Rahab does not merely hope for her family’s safety; she plans, speaks, negotiates, and hides the spies. • Love that embraces everyone: Father, mother, brothers, sisters—“all who belong to them.” No one is left off the list. • Love that intercedes: She stands before foreign soldiers and pleads for her household, foreshadowing how Christ intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25). Faith That Moves Beyond Words Hebrews 11:31 honors Rahab: “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.” James 2:25 echoes the same truth: “was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions…?” • True faith safeguards others. • True faith takes tangible risks. • True faith secures a future, not just in this life but in the line of Messiah (Matthew 1:5). The Scarlet Cord and Our Doorposts The spies instruct Rahab to tie a scarlet cord in her window (Joshua 2:18–19). • A visible marker of obedience—like the Passover blood (Exodus 12:13). • A public declaration that her house belongs to the Lord’s mercy. • A picture of Christ’s redemptive blood, protecting all who shelter under it. Covenant for the Modern Home Psalm 127:1 reminds us: “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Acts 16:31 adds, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” • We cannot ultimately secure our families by human means alone. • Genuine belief in Christ creates a spiritual covering that no earthly wall can provide. Practical Steps to Protect Our Families Today 1. Identify and remove spiritual threats—entertainment, attitudes, or relationships that erode faith. 2. Mark your home with visible allegiance—Scripture on the walls, Christlike conversation, consistent worship. 3. Intercede daily—name each family member before God, just as Rahab named hers. 4. Actively welcome godly influences—church fellowship, mentors, Christian friends. 5. Model courageous obedience—children and siblings learn bold faith by watching ours. 6. Trust God’s promises more than cultural security—walls of Jericho fell, but the scarlet-marked home remained. Living Under the Scarlet Banner Rahab’s story ends with family preserved, a legacy secured, and a place in the lineage of Jesus Himself. Her simple request in Joshua 2:13 teaches that protecting our families begins with courageous faith, visible obedience, and steadfast confidence in the God who keeps His word. |
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