Free Unashamed by Francine Rivers

God’s will—not by your efforts—that her life has been spared.” He stood. “It’s late, and we both need to rest. There is much to do tomorrow. We must make our preparations for the days ahead.”

    Salmon rose with him, but didn’t move away from the fire. He wanted Caleb’s blessing for his plans regarding Rahab. “Then you have no objections to my taking Rahab into my tent?”

    Caleb gave him a rueful stare. “It would be wise to wait and see what choice she makes.”

    “She’s already made her choice.”

    “Indeed, and if God delivers Rahab from Jericho, it will be left to her to decide what to do with the life God grants her.” His mouth tipped up in a gentle smile. “If she is as wise as you say, she will prefer an older man.”

    Salmon laughed, all the tension falling away. Had Caleb merely been testing him? “You said she belonged to me by right of conquest.”

    Caleb laughed with him. “Ah, that’s true, but a woman with her faith and courage will have a mind of her own.” He clamped his hand upon Salmon’s shoulder, his expression serious again. “When the battle is over, Joshua will decide her fate. Her true motives will be put to the test.” He let go of him. “If she is as you say she is, then you needn’t concern yourself over the outcome.”

    Salmon felt less than satisfied. He’d wanted a firm answer, and instead he had been told to wait.

    Would Rahab prove to be the woman he thought she was? If not, it would no doubt fall to him to make sure she didn’t trouble Israel again.



four

    RAHAB poured grain into the pottery bin Mizraim’s son had brought her. Two more baskets, and the jar would be full. Three large storage jars contained water. She had two baskets full of dates and two more of raisins. Over the past few days her mother, her sisters, and her brothers’ wives had brought beans, lentils, onions, garlic, and leeks. Her house was beginning to look like one of the booths in the marketplace, loaded with foodstuffs for sale. But would there be enough if the siege lasted longer than a week? She looked around again, taking mental inventory of what she had and what more she might still need to take care of her family until the Israelites could break through the gates and come to their rescue. Time was short, and each day that passed increased her feelings of urgency—and excitement.

    Jobab and Mizraim came to her each evening after their labor on the walls. As she served them a meal, they told her what they’d heard. Every bit of information she could glean might become important later. Most important was to encourage her father and brothers to trust in the God of Israel and not to put their confidence in the king’s plans.

    “The king’s convinced we’re all safe,” Mizraim said one evening. “The Israelites have never faced a wall so high and thick as this one.”

    Jobab tore off a piece of bread and dipped it in the lentil stew Rahab had prepared. “They may not even be able to reach the walls. The king has thousands of arrows made and ready for the attack. The entire army will be standing on the battlements, ready to shoot any man who dares come close.”

    “Don’t fool yourself, brother.” Rahab replenished his wine. “Don’t put your trust in that man to save us. I know him better than you, remember? Besides, he and all his soldiers and weapons won’t mean a thing when the Israelites come against us. They have God on their side. Do as I’ve told you. Drop everything and come here when the Israelites step foot on the west bank of the Jordan.”

    “But how are they going to get to the west bank?”

    “I don’t know!” Rahab set the jug down and put her hands on her hips. “Maybe they’ll build rafts. Maybe they’ll swim across. Maybe they’ll walk across!”

    Mizraim laughed. “Maybe eagles will come and carry them across. Or better yet, maybe they’ll sprout wings and fly!”

    “You dare laugh?” Rahab smacked him on the back of