Saving House And Household

We have seen how God, through His servants, gives guarantee to Rahab that her house, which stood among all other houses, her house which was just like all other houses around, would be left untouched by the destruction, if she would hang the scarlet cord in the window. It had to be the same window that she used to give life to the servants of God.

We also saw that our body is the house, the temple if you like, that God would spare. We were clearly made to see that we were no different from anyone around us, for we all wore the same faces of shame and are all sinners, deserving of death. But through the Blood of Jesus, we were all able to surrender our lives to Him and know that our ID is Jesus’ Blood in our surrendered lives.    

Now that Rahab has the guarantee of the saving of her house, we look at the promise of salvation for her household.  Remember that the oath was taken with a two–part condition. We have already looked at the first part and now we turn to the second part. The spies said to Rahab that the oath she had made them swear, would not be binding, unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers and all your family’s household into your house. Joshua 2: 18b. This promise is for family, all family, whether distant, or near family members. It is for friends, servants, strangers even, all who belong to the household of Rahab, all the people in her life, that is. But note, their salvation is not automatic. Because they are family and friends of Rahab, or because they are her faithful servants, it does not entitle them to be spared from the imminent destruction. No! They must be in her house. You see, the house is what will be saved from the destruction, so that all who are in the house will be saved. The servants of God, these men of Joshua’s army, will not question the occupants of the house. That does not matter in this saving grace, for the house is what will be spared and by extension, all who are in it. 

Here is the work of Rahab. She is to bring every single one into her house. They cannot remain in their own houses and be spared. They cannot be in the streets and be saved. They cannot be next door or very nearby and be saved. No! They must be in Rahab’s house. What about you? If your house is you, your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength, then you must bring all, into you. Your house, your heart, is big enough to bring all in. Study this carefully now.

Rahab has to invite, encourage and enable them with free, open access to her house, regardless of where they live. All those whom she loves, all whom she wants saved from this destruction, all who belong to her, must be brought in.  However, just to have them in the house is not enough. There is more to be done. Rahab has to keep them in her house. They must not come just for a visit, but to stay the time. They must be kept in the house. Joshua 2: 19 clearly states, So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. In other words, even if one entered Rahab’s house, and then decided, for whatever reason, to leave and go outside into the streets, no guarantee will be given. There is no guarantee for the streets. To be outside the house is to be guaranteed destruction. The same is true of you. Our Lord’s promise to save all of the family, all of the household, is only valid if they are in your house and remain there.

At this point we definitely need to take a halt, to stop and ask questions, as I am sure, like me, many thoughts and ideas, some bordering on deep fear and mounting despair even contend strongly for our attention. I asked our Lord a few questions. Lord, how do I bring my brothers and sisters in? How do I bring my father and mother in? How do I bring my friends and neighbours in?  How do I bring this household You have given to me, both earthly and spiritual, into my house?   

I’m sure that your questions, include some of mine as well. We wait, Blood-cleansed and surrendered, in prayer.