SCRIPTURE CONNECTION: THE SCARLET CORD

BY RENEE PUTNAM

“Well, I rebuilt the motor and replaced the valves and I think that should do it,” the repair person said. In our fixer-upper, we are often making improvements, which until they involve a kitchen remodel, I don’t find especially amusing. And that day, I was definitely not amused.

MARCH 21

This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley. Discussion led by Amanda Berger.

Now, this person was not hired to evangelize me, and he quickly got to work, but as he worked, we had a brief conversation about what we each were learning about God. Before he left, he spoke a game-changing word for me. “Do you know what the Hebrew word for ‘hope’ is? It means ‘wait.’” or cord. This comes from the root word Kavah meaning to “bind together,” but Kavah can also be translated as “waiting for” or “to expect.” The first occurrence of Tikvah in the Bible is from the story of Rahab from Joshua 2. If you don’t know this story, take a moment to read it.

God does that sometimes, sending me a word at just the right time. I needed a dose of hope—and God always knows how to deliver hope through unexpected people. Chewing over this insight about the Hebrew word for hope sparked some digging on my part.

In this passage, Rahab ties a scarlet rope, or Tikvah out the window, understanding that in doing so, she was expressing hope. Her life depended on her faith and the promise which the spies gave her to save her and her family. The cord was a symbol for hope. Not just wishful thinking but rather, hope for something better. And Rahab had to wait for it.

APRIL 18

Every Good Boy Does Fine: A Love Story in Music Lessons by Jeremy Denk. Discussion led by Samuel Grace.

In Hebrew, there are a couple of variations on the word hope. The word Tikvah is used in some instances, meaning rope

Can you think of a familiar place where the imagery of the scarlet cord produces hope? How about the stained glass which surrounds the worship center of St. Philip the Deacon? The scarlet thread represents God surrounding us and binding us together with a symbol of hope which weaves throughout our history and hope for the future.

MAY 16

What We Can Expect from God Now: Seven Spiritual Truths for Trusting God in Troubled Times by Timothy Geoffrion. Discussion led by Valerie Strand Patterson.

HEBREWS 10:23-25

The DNA of our faith community is being stitched together by the God of hope, and we can grab hold of the faith we profess and then share our story with another. Your words, our words, may provide hope to another. When I think of the encouraging conversation with my repair person, I can’t help but marvel at how God orchestrated that moment for hope.

More Verses About Hope In Christ

Romans 5:1-5

Romans 8:24-25

Romans 15:13

Ephesians 1:11-13

Ephesians 4:3-5

Colossians 1:22-23

1 Thessalonians 1:3

1 Peter 1:3