In total disregard of protocol, the guard zoomed into the gates of the King’s castle. “I have a message for the King”, he said. One look on his furrowed face revealed the urgency of his message. With speed he was ushered into the royal courts. Other proceedings could be halted, this meant life or death.
“I hear you have an important message, “bellowed the King of Jericho. Everything, from his deep baritone voice to his rich regal robes revealed his authority. The guard, in recognition of this, respectfully bowed down before delivering his message. “Israeli spies are in the city”, the guard said. He described the two inquisitive men he met who claimed to be Moabite merchants. Everything from their obviously made up accents to their gait, which was more apt to soldiers instead of merchants confirmed his suspicions. “They did not even bother to put on Moabite merchant robes. Those were farmers’ robes they had!” he added.
The inquisitive expression the king had quickly morphed into one of terror. He knew what the Israelites were capable of. News had reached him of how they decimated entire tribes in the Middle Eastern desert. Legend had it that their God once caused the Red Sea to part for them to walk across it, and then killed the entire Egyptian army, the most powerful army ever known on earth. Action had to be taken, and taken quickly. The king sent out the guard with strict instructions to shut the city gates and thoroughly vet anyone who wanted to come in. He sent the elite palace guards to search for the spies, giving them the description the guard gave him.
The Israelites settled in Rahab’s house rather quickly. They didn’t need to move around the city, Rahab provided them with all the information they knew. Besides, it was too dangerous. If it hadn’t taken more than a minute for Rahab to recognize them, what of the well trained guards? Rahab looked outside and saw the palace guards in the city. She was positive she saw one of them pointing at her house from a distance. She was fully aware of the danger she had placed herself in. “ You can’t stay in my living room for long, soon guards will come to search for you, someone must have spotted you coming to my house. Let me show you where you have to hide until things cool down.”
She took them to a section of the roof where she was positive no one would look for them, and then covered them with flax which she had used to line her ceiling. “Perfect!” she thought. Now it was time to execute the second part of her plan, but first she had to throw the guards off the trail of the spies.
A minute later, Rahab couldn’t tell which was louder, the pounding on her door or the throbbing of her heart when she heard it. She went and opened the door for four heavily built palace guards in full uniform, with arms resting on their swords. “How can I help you?” she asked. She knew full well what they needed, and it wasn’t her “services” this time. “We have come to look for some men who were told came here. They are dangerous Israeli spies. ” They then proceeded to give her their description. “Oh those men! Yes, they came in. In fact I thought they were rather strange. They were just asking questions and didn’t want anything else from me. Unfortunately they left less than an hour ago. They shouldn’t be very far; if you hasten your steps you might catch up with them.” “All right,” one of the guards said, “let’s assemble more troops and pursue them. Our city is in grave danger”. The guards then hurriedly left.
When Rahab was sure the coast was clear, she called out the spies. Now it was the time to lay down her plan. Jericho was perishing and she didn’t want to be a part of it. Her soul had perished a long time ago, what was the worst that could happen?
....Stay tuned for Part 3
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