I admit it: I don’t always love reading through the Bible’s Old Testament. Some books are just so … Leviticusy (read: full of boils and regulations). It is hard to read the woe-proclaiming prophets, and some books are just too full of Numbers for my word-loving self. But when I do commit to reading through an OT book with an open heart, I am always surprised by the connections that can be made across huge gaps of time and vast worlds of culture.

I just started reading the book of Joshua. It is the sixth book of the Bible, and it takes place right after Moses dies. Joshua has become the next leader of the Israelites, and he is tasked with guiding the people into the Promised Land. The Lord knows this is not an easy job, so he exhorts Joshua constantly to “be strong and courageous!” And God doesn’t just say things; over and over again he does things to prove to Joshua and to his people that he is with them.

In Joshua chapter 3, we see another miraculous crossing of a river on dry ground, the Jordan this time, a poignant reminder of how God had led them across the Red Sea and out of Egyptian captivity. In chapter 6, we witness the walls of the city of Jericho falling down at the people’s shouts to the Lord their God. Our God can do big things!

The story of Rahab and the spies happens before the walls of Jericho fall, and it’s the one that struck me with this reading. Joshua sends two spies into the fortified city of Jericho to scope out the land and report back. These spies end up at the house of Rahab, a prostitute with a shady past, who hides them from her own people and keeps them safe. She recognizes the power of their God and chooses where to place her loyalties. She says:

“I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

“Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” (Joshua 2:9-13)

 The spies tell Rahab to tie a scarlet cord in the window of her house. They say that all who remain in that house will be protected when the destruction comes to the city.

You know, sometimes it’s tough to figure out the symbolism in the Bible because it isn’t always clear. This one is as obvious as it is bright red. God isn’t hiding anything from us in this story. He wants us to remember how the Israelites were saved by the red blood of lambs on their doorposts when the Angel of the Lord passed over their houses. All the people in those households were saved by the blood (Exodus 12). In the same way, Rahab and her household would be saved, but her story doesn’t end there. She is mentioned among the great heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Even more surprising, she shows up in the genealogy of Jesus Christ—the Lamb of God who saved us all. Rahab was a foreigner. An outsider. A prostitute. Saved by a scarlet cord, the blood of the Lamb, and pulled into God’s family in figurative and literal ways. Our God can do big things!

When we read and hear these stories, we have a couple of possible responses. We can melt in fear as the people of Jericho did. Enemies of God rightly fear him and are hostile to him. Or we can trust that his blood has saved us. That there is a scarlet cord tied in our windows. That our doorposts are covered in the blood of the Lamb. That he encourages us just like he did Joshua all those years ago:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)