“Quick! Hide up here.”
They followed on my heels out of breath.
“Thank you. Where?”
“Under the drying flax. Pray to your God
they won’t find you. I’ll keep them distracted. Listen! They are here!”
As I descended, I pulled the combs out and
mussed my locks. I unfastened the top of my tunic and tugged off the belt,
tossing it into the bedroom. For once, I felt glad I hadn’t made my bed. The
pounding on the door brought me over and I wrenched it open.
Soldiers.
“What can I do for you?” I peeked back, then
stepped out, closing the door behind me.
“We’re searching all of Jericho for two
spies!”
“No one like that here. But earlier, two
men came and left at dusk before the gates closed. Where they are now, is a
mystery. ”
They glanced at each other, then took in
my appearance from head to bare toes. I kept the smile hidden. One elbowed the
other.
“Rahab it’s our job to check.”
I gave them access.
They searched the main room and glanced
toward the bedroom. I led them in and made an ordeal of straightening the
blankets. I grabbed the belt from the floor and slowly attached it, smoothed my
tunic, pulled my hair back and tucked in a comb. I smiled. “See, no men here.”
“Not now.” He smirked.
The other said, “You have a rooftop. Show
us.”
They followed me. On the roof, the search
continued. Near the flax, a terrible odor met us. “What is that stench?”
“Not sure.”
“Smells like something died. We didn’t
find anyone. Let’s go.”
I led them out. Waited. Ascended the
stairs. “Are you all right? Come out, they’re gone.”
The handsome men crawled out. Salmon
spoke. “I’m sorry to inform you, but a cat gave birth and died. The kittens
appear to have also. Want me to pull them out?”
“Oh no! How sad. Your God caused this… shielded
you.”
I smiled. “Yes. Please. Here is a sack you
can place them in.”
Salmon and Jacob retrieved the mess.
“Where would you like me to put this?”
“Right over… What is that?”
A frail meow.
He peered inside and pulled out a tiny
black and white fur ball. “Seems one survived. I imagine he’s hungry.”
I took the poor thing in my hands. “I’ll
nurse him to fatness. Now, what shall I do with you?”
“We need to get back to our countrymen.
We’ve discovered all that’s necessary. Can you let us down from this window?”
I went over and pointed. “Hide in the
hills for three days. I sent those pursuing you elsewhere.”
Salmon asked, “Why have you done this?”
“Stories of your God protecting and
fighting for you, warmed my heart. I too believe in your God. Please do me a favor.
Save me and my family when you come.”
Salmon searched my face. “We swear we will
protect you. Our lives for your lives. Only keep word of us silent. Our Lord
will give us this land, yet you shall live on.”
“Thank you.” I smiled. We gazed into each
other’s eyes. Then I felt it. Warmth spread through my body. He must have too,
for he took me into his arms. Gently, not like other men. The kiss. Sweet with
a promise of more. Indescribable.
Jacob cleared his throat. “We better be
going.”
I found the perfect rope. It belonged to
my grandmother. “Here, this should get you close to the lower wall and the
ground is but a leap. When young, I used to sneak out.”
He tied the rope to a beam and tossed it
over the sill. “This chord is unbelievable. The color reminds me of your ruby
lips. Keep it hanging out this window as a sign. All your family needs to be inside
this house when we come and all will be saved. I promise.”
He kissed me again. I watched until I
glimpsed them no more.
Until later. He kept his promise.
Authors note: This is fiction and my impression of what COULD have happened to Rahab, the great great grandmother of King David.
I put in the lines: I found the perfect rope. It belonged to my grandmother.
This I feel is significant, because of the color scarlet which represents Christ's saving blood. Also, I feel something or someone had to have softened Rahab's heart to the truth. I like to think her grandmother did. And why did she have a red chord? Your guess is as good as mine.
