Rahab and the Scarlet Cord

Rahab lived in the city of Jericho, a city with huge, strong walls. She had heard amazing stories about the one true God of Israel—how God parted the Red Sea and helped His people win battles. These stories made Rahab believe that the God of Israel was the real God.

One day, two men from Israel came to Jericho. They were spies sent by Joshua. The spies came to Rahab's house, and she let them stay. But someone told the king! The king sent soldiers to get them. Rahab had to make a brave choice. Because she believed in God, she hid the spies on her roof and told the soldiers they had already left.

Rahab said to the spies, 'I know that the Lord has given you this land. Everyone in Jericho is afraid because we've heard about your amazing God. The Lord your God is the true God in heaven and on earth!' Then Rahab asked the spies to save her and her family when Israel attacked. The spies told her to hang a scarlet (bright red) cord in her window and gather her family inside.

When Joshua and the Israelites came, they marched around the city for seven days. On the seventh day, the walls fell down flat! But the part where Rahab's house was stayed standing! The spies brought Rahab and her whole family out safely.

Rahab came to live with God's people. Many years later, one of her great-great-great grandchildren was King David, and even later, Jesus was born into her family! Rahab's story shows us that when we believe in God and trust Him, He saves us and makes us part of His family.