A report reached Jericho—all heard it; but Rahab believed the report. (Read Josh. 2 and Heb. 11:3131By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:31).) She mixed it with faith. She had no more evidence of its truth than other people, yet she believed. There is power in God’s word. It should be believed, because it is His word. There is no one who does not act on the belief of man’s word. If we were sitting in a railway carriage, and an official came to the door and cried out, “this carriage is not going on; you had better change,” we should all, instantly, jump out. No one would think of saying, “he did not address me; I shall sit here until he speaks directly to myself.” Thus is it with the report of the gospel. It tells us the carriage of self-righteousness, of ordinances, ceremonies, or prayers, does not go on to heaven. It tells us to change into the carriage of God’s righteousness, which is by faith of Jesus Christ.
Rahab believed and was saved. The fruit of her faith is seen in her hiding the two men. Her house became the only safe spot in all the doomed city. There was perfect security for all in that house, under the shelter of “the scarlet line.” All within that house were as safe as if they were already in the midst of Israel’s victorious hosts, although the house was “on the wall”—the very thing that was first to come down. Rahab occupied herself in seeking to get as many as she could under the shelter of the “true token.” People might say, “how can you promise me security? How can a scarlet line save a man? Would not a white flag do better? Ought we not to send a message to Israel to say we will become tributary?” No; come in! come in! There is safety here, and nowhere else. All beneath the scarlet line are as safe as God can make them. If anyone were outside the door of that house, no power could save him. But all within were perfectly safe. They were not hoping to be safe, or praying to be saved. They were not half or almost saved. They were saved. “Our life for yours” had settled all; and the “true token” gave perfect peace to the heart.