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Everything depends on one split-second decision...
Rahab,
a resourceful beauty, struggles to survive in the pagan culture of
ancient Jericho. As years of harsh labor begin to lift her and her
family from poverty, a foreign army threatens the well-fortified city.
Rahab is forced to make an immediate decision. Will she put her faith in
the fabled walls of Jericho or the powerful God of the Hebrews? Either
choice may cost her life.
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EXCERPT
Copyright 2014© Carlene Havel & Sharon Faucheux
Are these men up to no
good? While attempting to believe there was no cause for alarm, Rahab
considered whether she might need to defend herself. Was the baking
paddle enough to frighten the men away? Or was it better to snatch her
knife from the holster over her shoulder and scream for Karmot? These
men looked healthy and strong enough to overpower her and her father.
Yet they did not strike her as violent, merely unusual.
Pulling the perfectly
browned bread from the oven, Rahab put on a bright smile. “Oh, I am
sorry. Were you speaking to me?” She turned the fresh bread onto the
stone table. “Smells delicious, does it not?” she asked. “With my good
wine and ghee made just this morning, you will be refreshed from your
journey.”
“Thank you, mira.”
The travelers looked
similar enough to other Egyptians who passed through Jericho
occasionally. Was it their slightly different manner of speaking?
Perhaps they were not from Alexandria but some more remote area of the
land of the pharaohs. Regardless of where they came from, they were
foreigners. Therefore, the king’s men would make it their business to
evaluate whether or not the visitors had legitimate business in the
city. Because of the Hebrews, the king’s men were especially interested
in anyone who passed through the city gate these days.
Rahab decided to bide
her time and keep the strangers occupied until the soldiers came to
question them. She was confident in her ability to kindle her male
guests’ interest. “You have traveled many days from your wives and
families,” she said as she served wine. “No doubt you miss them.”
The tall man continued to eat, while the shorter turned his face toward her.
“My inn offers you
nourishment and lodging,” Rahab continued. She stretched her arms and
trailed the fingertips of her right hand slowly along her left forearm.
“There are times when a man needs more than food and shelter.”
The
men’s reactions were not in accordance with Rahab’s expectations. The
tall, quiet one seemed amused, while the shorter man wore a look of
surprise. Tossing her hair, Rahab slowly licked her lips. At this point,
most men began to negotiate a price for her services or—more
rarely—gave her a reluctant refusal. These fellows did neither. Why were
they so slow? Do they know nothing of how to conduct business?
Rahab
went to stand behind the men. The taller one continued to eat and
drink, as if unaware of her presence. She leaned over the shorter man to
rearrange the food on the stone table. As she did so, she rested a hand
lightly on the man’s shoulder. He jumped away, as if her touch burned
his body. “You are a harlot!” he exclaimed. The tall man stifled a
laugh.
“Yes, I am,” Rahab replied, drawing her hand away. “What do you expect at an inn?”
“I expect decency and honor in all things,” the shorter man said. “But then, I suppose I forget what kind of pagans—”
The
tall man held up a hand, and his companion fell silent. Rahab was
accustomed to men too poor to afford her services, but the reactions of
these two puzzled her. One seemed completely indifferent, while the
other made her feel unclean. The truth flew into her mind with such
force it escaped from her mouth. “You are Hebrews.”
“Yes, we are,” the tall man said, much to Rahab’s surprise.
They
were such beautiful young men. What a pity for them to be impaled in
the public place. “Do you not know the king’s men keep track of
foreigners in Jericho, because of all the trouble across the river? If
you hurry, you may be able to escape.”
The
shorter man quickly pushed his food away, stood up, and shook out his
clothing. The taller one turned and faced Rahab. “Will you hide us?” he
asked.
“I
could be executed for helping you. And my whole family along with me.”
Looking into his eyes made her heart beat faster. Yet his face would no
longer be handsome after a beating from the soldiers’ rods.
The tall man spoke gently. “Help us and you will live when we take this city.”
“Take Jericho? You cannot,” she whispered. “Our walls…”
“Your
walls are nothing to the Lord. We will conquer this city and all others
who stand in our way, just as we have overcome the Amorites.” His
manner conveyed absolute confidence. “Our lives in exchange for yours.
Yes or no?”
Rahab
never understood exactly why she believed the Hebrews would prevail.
Yet in that moment, she knew it was true. Jericho will fall before the
powerful God of the Hebrews! So many thoughts swirled in her head. She
remembered the morning when she broke away from her father’s household
to find her own way in the world. Others called her actions foolish, but
in the end her family benefitted from her boldness. Was this another
such opportunity? If so, she must again act with speed and courage. She
might scream for Karmot, and turn these men over to the King of
Jericho—or trust her unexplainable feeling the God of the Hebrews was
both real and all-powerful. Were the stories she heard all her life
about His parting of the Red Sea actually true? Whichever way she chose,
there was no turning back.
Once
she made her decision, calmness fell over Rahab like a warm cloak.
“Yes. We have an agreement. Pour the water from that large crock on the
ground,” she told the men. “It will take both of you to lift it. Then go
quickly up those stairs,” she pointed to the central staircase. “On the
roof you will see many bundles of drying flax. Hide among them and
wait. Show yourselves to no one until I come to you. Hasten.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carlene
Havel has lived in six US States and two foreign countries, and has
traveled extensively throughout the world. She is very active in her
church and has a degree in English from the University of Texas at San
Antonio. Carlene and her husband Glenn are both proud to be native
Texans.
Sharon
Faucheux was born in New Orleans, LA. Raised in Austin, Texas, she
graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Psychology.
After living in several others states and countries, she now resides in
San Antonio, TX. Sharon’s favorite activity is traveling with her always
entertaining family.
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