Oakwood Church Fresh Start Women's Devotional Encouragement for Today Hartland Delafield

Her Scarlet Letter
By Susan Klein

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18b

Her scarlet letter was an “A,” for adultery. Hester Prynne, a young woman living in 17th century puritanical Boston, was labeled and paraded through town to shame her for her actions. She was not allowed to remove the letter, lest she or someone else forget the detestable sin she committed. Scorn and shame were her constant companions in a city where even the sun would not shine upon her. Her story is fiction. (1)

Rahab’s scarlet letter was an “H.” She was a harlot, or a prostitute, as we would call her today. People knew her for her disdainful lifestyle. Men used her and woman despised her. She is addressed three times in Scripture as “Rahab the harlot.” Her story is real.

Rahab’s story has a much happier ending than Hester’s. Rahab puts her faith in the One true God who can shower her with forgiveness and remove her scarlet letter. In fact, He even goes so far as to adopt her into the family of His chosen ones: the Israelites. She marries, has a son, and is named in the blood lineage of our Lord, Jesus Christ. She is loved, in spite of the past that could have branded her for life.

Consider other women in Scripture. Eve’s letter might have been a “D,” for disobedient. She had to leave Paradise, but she was forgiven by her Father. Miriam’s was quite possibly a “P,” for prideful. She thought too highly of herself and was temporarily struck with leprosy. But God cleansed her and brought her to a place of restoration.

And ourselves? We’ve all worn our “scarlet letters” at one time or another. We’ve all struggled with sin. Fortunately, our demise is not that of Hester Prynne’s. Our past does not identify who we are, and the “Son” does shine upon us! We have a loving God who hears our confessions and promises forgiveness. He strips us of our scarlet letter and cleanses us from all unrighteousness so that we may appear before Him white as snow. We can put our past behind us, just as He has.

If anything, our letter should be a pure, white “F” for forgiven and free!

GOING DEEPER:
1) What old letters might still be tucked away in your closet that need to be given to the heavenly Goodwill?
2) Do you know of someone else who may be in need of the Father’s “letter removal business”? Ask Him for an opportunity to share your own experience with her.

FURTHER READING:
Joshua 2 & Matthew 1:5-6; Numbers 12; Galatians 5:1; Hebrews 10:22-23

Susan is our Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She is also involved in youth outreach ministry.

(1) Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Boston: Ticknor, Reed & Fields, 1850