Rahab My Story

Not only were the sounds of destruction horrifying, but the burning, bloody smells of death filled our minds and hearts as we frantically left Jericho behind. “Calm my spirit Lord, please?” Continuing to distance ourselves from Jericho, my brother's wives cried for the family and friends they left behind. “Do not think of those who remained back in Jericho,” I tried to convince myself, but how could I not think of the sweet woman who always put aside her very best dresses for me, and what about the old man who hid the best wines he had under his table, until he spotted me at the market?” I also remember the two older women sitting under the trees by their home, every day, weaving beautiful multicolored rugs to sell. They seemed respectful and caring, always having a kind word for me whenever I passed by on the way to my father's house. Though they seemed to be hard-working, peaceful women, most days they would sip tea mumbling something, while bowing to that carved wooden statue. “They chose that over you, Lord?” “I am trying to understand holy living and consequences of not following Your commands.” There were some people in Jericho I did not shed even a tiny tear for. The priests in the temples held not one bit of trust or respect in my heart. I could vividly recall the temple prostitutes being forced to please those despicable pagan gods by performing sexual acts the priests called worship. “It was not worship, it was pure evil!” I suppose a few of the women found some sort of pleasure in their temple rituals, but I know many women fiercely fought the priests, begging to be pardoned from such duties. “Before I even knew you lord, I thought one day, those priests would be punished some how, for what they have done.” “How could we not know there would judgment one day? Did we think we could just go on living outside of God's laws and not be held accountable, not face punishment? How did you put up with our reckless lifestyle for so long Lord?” Knowing I was having difficulty running while holding one of my nephews, one of the two spies offered to assist me by taking the child. With much gratitude I handed my little nephew over to him, ever so thankful to these two men. The two spies treated me respectfully in my home when they came to Jericho to spy out the land. They honored me by granting me an oath that when Yahweh gave them Jericho, they would return to save me and my family, and they have kept their promise. They didn't even know me, yet these children of Yahweh risked their lives for my family. “They are honorable, trustworthy men.” We shielded the children's faces as best we could, while we ran to Yahweh. Oh yes, I ran to Yahweh, without even a thought of my past. I ran to the future, a gift of mercy given to me by the God of Israel, my God, Yahweh. It seemed like hours had passed as we ran from death, shaking the dust of Jericho from our feet. The two spies had led us out of my crumbling home, passed the fallen walls and debris of Jericho, and hundreds of lifeless people, down the path toward the Jordan River. “I am tired and weak, will we ever reach my future?” Having put great distance between ourselves and Jericho, sounds of death began to fade away, and we slowed down our frantic pace. Wiping dust and tears from my face and eyes, I tried to focus on what was before me. The horrible screeching and confusion all around us, was taken over in my mind by an approaching, incredible sight. There before me, getting closer and closer, stood a great multitude, the Chosen People, the children of God! It was as if I had been given a glimpse into heaven and was trespassing onto sacred ground. “Oh, God, thank you.” I fell to my knees, praising Yahweh, weeping tears of deliverance and joy. A cloud of peace and calm enclosed the camp of the Israelite people. Women were rocking their children, humming softly by the campfires and the young men were gathering wood and stoking the flames. The death and destruction of Jericho, gently began to melt away, and calm and joy began to fill me. Two completely different worlds, separated by miles, or was it disobedience? One choosing life with Yahweh and one choosing death, apart from Yahweh. “I suppose we all have that choice to make.” “God, your people, right before me. I am suddenly nervous and unsteady on my feet to finally be where I have prayed to be, among your people; the ones who were fed by you in the desert, the ones you sweetened bitter water for and dried the Jordan River so they could safely pass through.” I am close enough to touch them and talk to them, a great multitude, waiting to claim their long awaited for prize. I prayed for this very moment so many times. The Chosen People, the people you love and called to be your own, standing right before me victorious, yet so humbled.