“The men said to her, ‘We will not be guilty of violating the oath you made us swear, provided that when we enter the land, you tie this piece of scarlet cord in the window you let us down from; and you gather together in your house your father, mother, brothers, and your father’s entire household. If anyone goes out the doors of your house into the street, he will be responsible for his own blood, and we will be guiltless. But everyone who stays with you in the house — we will be responsible for his blood if anyone lays a hand on him. However, if you say a word about this business of ours, then we will be free of your oath that you made us swear.’ ‘According to your words, so be it,’ she said, and sent them away. As they departed, she tied the scarlet cord in the window.”-Joshua 2:17-21
There were three conditions Rahab had to keep if she wanted to remain in good standing with the Israelite spies she had helped out.
FIRST, she was to hang a rope with a scarlet thread woven around it that would serve as a sign to Israel’s army that her home (really an inn) was not to be touched.
SECOND, once Joshua’s army surrounded the city, Rahab was to gather all of her family members and have them stay with her inside her inn.
THIRD, Rahab and those with her were to patiently wait inside the inn until the two spies returned with a report that it was okay to come out.
If anyone left the inn too early before the spies came to get them, they would be slaughtered right along with the other citizens of Jericho.
Rahab agreed to all three of these conditions and once she did, at that instant she was effectively grafted into Israel through her faith backed up by her actions towards their God.
What did the scarlet thread symbolize?
Well, in the Scripture, the color red normally indicates “blood” or “redemption” or both.
Think of the red blood painted on the doorposts of the Hebrew homes in Egypt at the first Passover.
The blood on the posts indicated to the angel of death that he (or it?) was to pass over the home and move on to the next.
I do see a parallel between the blood on the doorposts of the first Passover in Egypt and the scarlet thread Rahab used as a symbol of salvation for not only her but her whole family.
Finally, there is one other key point and if you get this, your knowledge of Scripture effectively surpasses that of over 99% of pastors, preachers or Bible teachers anywhere in the world today (that might just be an understatement).
Here’s the point.
Israel’s conquest of Canaan is a Holy War.
And when I say a Holy War, I don’t mean a war led in the Name of God.
I’m talking about a war led by God Himself.
And the central overriding principle in a war led by God Himself is that the soldiers of Israel are NOT to receive the normal spoils of war if they are victorious.
Instead ALL the spoils of war are to go God.
Why?
Because in a Holy War, the spoils of war have also become Holy-fied so to speak.
Everything is to be considered as “holy property”.
And when I say “everything”, I’m not just talking about precious material things like gold and silver or even the flocks and herds
I’m also talking about the human members of the defeated population…every man, women and child.
They are not allowed to be taken captive.
They are also Holy Property and are to be destroyed as HOLY unto the Lord (because God has no need for the physical spoils of war).
This is called the “ban” or HEREM in Hebrew.
I have yet to meet one gentile pastor, preacher or teacher who understands this key and fundamental Torah precept.
I think God does not want any spoil. or remains of the war to be kept back ,even man,woman or children ,cause He does not want the generational belief and practises of the non Israelites to influence the Israelites in future ,if kept alive;
The reason is as I shared in the article.
Do you really think this concept is foreign to Christian pastors? Perhaps my experience is unique.I was taught this at a Baptist church in high school and have taught it myself many times. Joshua 7 explains what happens to God’s people when even one person disobeys with the story of Achan. Also, King Saul has to answer to Samuel for His disobedience after keeping animals he was supposed to destroy in 1 Samuel 15:19.
I also agree with Anup. Israel was to honor God, keep their families from worshipping idols, and to protect the purity of the birth line of the Messiah. Although we can never understand the mind of God, He had many good reasons for Israel to destroy the original inhabitants of the Promised Land. Their obedience was an act of worship.
Thanks for sharing Jim. I really think you’re experience is unique in truly understanding HEREM. But that’s great to hear that there are some congregations out there who understand this.
The caveat here is that they may teach this principal without fully understanding all the nuances. Most never take the time to learn the original Hebrew. Even though I knew about the concept, I had not known the actual name “HEREM” until I read it here.