Even Rahab watched in terror as all the Israelities folded their tents, loaded their belongings and yougest chidren on to carts and merged into one long and solemn line that seemed to reach to the end of the earth.
Her heart pounded erratically and little Gingkra's hand slipped into hers. That settled her somewhat. All her immediate family had heeded her warnings about the Israelites coming to destroy them and were crowded into her small chambers with her. The spies had promised they would leave her unmolested if,and it seemed like a big if, they saw a red cord hanging down from the window on the wall that faced them.
"Rahab, check to see if the red rope is secure." Rehab's brother -in-law's rough voice jarred her. Even while she was reaching through the casement to be certain the scarlet cord was firmly attached to a hook, she felt her sister Maltayah, Gingkra's mother,slip her arm around her waist and sensed her fear.
Rehab took a deep breath and tried to pray to that Unknown God she had so recently got acquainted with.
"Keep us safe, oh God, keep us safe."
Gingkra reached to be picked up so Rehab sat her on the wide window ledge but kept her arm around her.
"What are they doing?" Even Gingkra's voice was barely above a whisper.
"They are coming to the city."
"But won't the Moon god stop them?" The moon would be full tonight. Surely it's power was at it's greatest right now.
Rehab was staring intently at the vast crowd. What were they doing? How did they expect to cross the river at floodtime? She saw them stop and wait. She watched as the priests, while carrying what looked like a gold covered box step into the water. She felt like she had stopped breathing. Did they expect to swim across? What about their belongings and babies?
The instant she saw the waters parting she heard screams ricocheting from building to building all along the wall and knew others were also staring panic-stricken as first the priests followed by singers,strode across on dry ground.
Gingkra started to wail but Rehab coudn't hush her so her mother tried.
Rehab leaned out of the window, unaware that all color had drained from her cheeks. Then she saw them; the faces of the spies that had come to her abode. Their faces were noble, calm and serene.
She turned to her terrified family.
"They will keep their word," she said firmly.
Slowly the fear ebbed out of their faces and one by one they sat down busying themselves with mundane things while visiting quietly.
Gingkra fell asleep in her mother's arms, Rechab went downstairs to prepare some victuals, and opened the barred door to peer down the street. Not a soul was in sight.
A strange calmness settled in her heart. She knew God would take care of them, but how, and what would happen to the rest?
www.marilynshistoricalnovels.com
Her heart pounded erratically and little Gingkra's hand slipped into hers. That settled her somewhat. All her immediate family had heeded her warnings about the Israelites coming to destroy them and were crowded into her small chambers with her. The spies had promised they would leave her unmolested if,and it seemed like a big if, they saw a red cord hanging down from the window on the wall that faced them.
"Rahab, check to see if the red rope is secure." Rehab's brother -in-law's rough voice jarred her. Even while she was reaching through the casement to be certain the scarlet cord was firmly attached to a hook, she felt her sister Maltayah, Gingkra's mother,slip her arm around her waist and sensed her fear.
Rehab took a deep breath and tried to pray to that Unknown God she had so recently got acquainted with.
"Keep us safe, oh God, keep us safe."
Gingkra reached to be picked up so Rehab sat her on the wide window ledge but kept her arm around her.
"What are they doing?" Even Gingkra's voice was barely above a whisper.
"They are coming to the city."
"But won't the Moon god stop them?" The moon would be full tonight. Surely it's power was at it's greatest right now.
Rehab was staring intently at the vast crowd. What were they doing? How did they expect to cross the river at floodtime? She saw them stop and wait. She watched as the priests, while carrying what looked like a gold covered box step into the water. She felt like she had stopped breathing. Did they expect to swim across? What about their belongings and babies?
Gingkra started to wail but Rehab coudn't hush her so her mother tried.
Rehab leaned out of the window, unaware that all color had drained from her cheeks. Then she saw them; the faces of the spies that had come to her abode. Their faces were noble, calm and serene.
She turned to her terrified family.
"They will keep their word," she said firmly.
Slowly the fear ebbed out of their faces and one by one they sat down busying themselves with mundane things while visiting quietly.
Gingkra fell asleep in her mother's arms, Rechab went downstairs to prepare some victuals, and opened the barred door to peer down the street. Not a soul was in sight.
A strange calmness settled in her heart. She knew God would take care of them, but how, and what would happen to the rest?
www.marilynshistoricalnovels.com
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