Joshua Valiant

by Brian Godawa

  He tried to scare her into the importance of it all. “We have heard their religion is a perversion of all that is holy and good. They use our blood to bake their bread. And from what I have heard, they are sons of pigs and monkeys who worship an evil mountain demon that wants to kill all our gods and take over the pantheon.”

  Killing all their gods did not seem too bad of an idea to her. She had been used and abused as a plaything by the deities of Canaan. She would like to see them raped, tortured, and emasculated. This mysterious Habiru deity was sounding more and more interesting to her. A sole god who claimed to be creator of all things. A foreign god who detested all the very religious behavior that she had questioned through her entire life. A jealous god who hated the same gods she hated. Indeed, this was sounding more and more like the kind of god she wanted to find out more about. She could not wait to get home and read those songs again. Their words haunted her.

  “Rahab.” His voice brought her back into the present. “Be very discreet and do not let anyone know you are gathering intelligence for me. If these Habiru find out, they may send spies to take you from me and rape you and kill you. And sacrifice you to their god.”

  She stared at Alyun and thought, What a commander of morons I serve. He is so desperate; he is lying to make it sound worse than it is. Why do I keep letting this fool have my body? Do I have a choice?

  He said, “Promise me, you will tell me the moment you hear anything about these Habiru savages.”

  She looked at him and smiled. “I promise.”

  That night, she trimmed a small lamp with some oil and hid herself away in her room. She pulled out the two pieces of strange parchment and read them over and over. The words were strangely beautiful. As she read, she felt her heart sing. It was the strangest most delightful thing she had ever experienced in her life.

  The song she had already read at the tavern was frank in its condemnation of the Habiru by their own god. It was bizarre to her. What sacred text would speak so honestly and detrimentally of its own people? The scriptures she had been acquainted with were all sycophantic and self-congratulatory. Religious devotees tended to wax eloquent of their own righteousness and their god’s favor of them. But this Habiru text talked about their people as if there were spoiled children being beaten by the rod of their deity for disobedience.

  This Yahweh, as he was called in the text, was so pure he showed no partiality in his judgment.

  This text was so honest. So truthful.

  The other song spoke about Yahweh guiding the Habiru away from Egypt and into the desert. And when Pharaoh chased after them, Yahweh heaped up the waters for these “people of Israel” to cross over on dry ground. But when Pharaoh’s chariots followed, Yahweh blasted his nostrils and the waters came back and swallowed them all in a flood.

  It was a fantastic ballad of mighty exploits. She wished it were more than just the expression of an artist’s heart. That somehow, it might be true.

  And then she came to the words that made her weep:

  Who is like you, O Yahweh, among the gods?

  Who is like you, majestic in holiness,

  awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

  You have led in your steadfast love

  the people whom you have redeemed;

  you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

  The peoples have heard; they tremble;

  Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed;

  trembling seizes the leaders of Moab;

  all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.

  Edom, and Moab, and all of Canaan? So their plans were to cross the Jordan. All of Canaan was their destination. She giggled. Would not the Commander of Jericho pay all the money in the treasury to know this?

  But she was not interested in all the money in the world.

  She hid the parchment and tried to sleep, pondering these things in her heart.

  But she could not sleep.

  She could only remember the last words of Izbaxl before he fell to his death by the dire wolves. He had cursed this very same god, Yahweh. The debauched gods of Canaan all seemed to know and hate this divinity with whom she was falling in love.

  Chapter 20

  The city of Edrei was twenty-five miles across the Jabbok River into the land of Bashan, the kingdom of Og. This would not be as easy as conquering king Sihon. This was Rephaim territory; the grey skinned monstrosities with elongated skulls, six-digit hands and feet, double rows of teeth, and a fury wrought from the depths of Sheol.

  Edrei was a chief metropolitan city of the Amorite kingdom and housed three thousand inhabitants. It was widely known for its strong fortifications. But one of its secrets that was not widely known was its underground city below the city. In times of war or disaster, the people would go below into tunnels and living spaces where they could live indefinitely. With access to underwater springs and stored food supply, protected by their elevated position above the valley, they could outlast any enemy besieging them, including the Habiru that now surrounded their fortress.

  But they would not need to withstand such a siege, because Og had led his army from his host city, Ashtaroth, and pulled in conscripts from surrounding territories. He was not going to take any chances. He had a five thousand-man army facing these Habiru invaders, who appeared to have about five thousand as well.

  But the Habiru did not have four companies of Rephaim giants who were gibborim warriors. That was about eight hundred giants divided into fighting platoons of fifty or so. That gave Og the decided advantage of three to one.

  The Rephaim were a last remnant of a fearsome clan of giants whose lineage reached back to mighty warrior kings of Canaan. Some had even fought in the War of Eden before the Great Flood. They were not about to allow a horde of wandering scrappers attempt to extinguish them as they had done to the Emim and Zamzummim at Jahaz.

  This city was a precursor to the heavily fortified cities of Canaan the Israelites had yet to encounter in the Cisjordan. Jahaz was child’s play in comparison. The battle of Edrei would be the proving grounds of Israelite ability or the killing fields of their annihilation.

  • • • • •

  On the north side of the city was a massive cemetery for the surrounding communities. It was holy ground where devotees of Ashtart would bring their dead to bury them for blessing in Sheol. Ashtart had a temple for Molech built underground like the city beneath Edrei.

  Since he was lord of the underworld, it was only fitting to plaster the walls of this chthonic crypt with the rotting corpses of the dead. Torchlight cast an eerie glow on the skulls and bones embedded in the walls around them.

  Molech had just now arrived and they were trying to complete their plan using mediums, sorcerers, and necromancers. There were one hundred of them congregated in this holy habitation of horror.

  Molech told Ashtart, “They chased me all the way to the Sea of Chinnereth. I only evaded them because I entered the underground waterways. Endless caves and tunnels. They would not follow me into that labyrinth with the possibility of getting lost a thousand feet below the surface.”

  Ashtart jabbed, “I guess there is some benefit to being a worm god.”

  It was a distinctive trait of Ashtart to belittle gods lesser than she by calling them silly versions of their divine identities. It stroked her vanity that knew no bounds.

  She added, “They suspect I am here, but they have no idea where. And by the time they figure it out, it will be too late, and they will find themselves facing the most fearsome attack they have ever faced. This has to work, mole, or we will be bound in Tartarus. And you will not be able to dig your way out of that pit.”

  Molech shivered. He knew of no worse fate than to await judgment for seventy times seven generations imprisoned in the deepest pit of Sheol.

  She continued, “There are four of them, and only one and a half of us. And they are not going to stop.”

  “Well, neither will our minions,” smiled Molech.
/>   And then he realized that she had said, “One and a half of us,” not “two of us.”

  He had to swallow her insults or face swallowing her scythe.

  • • • • •

  It was a clear evening under the moonlight. Moses, Joshua and Caleb hiked up to a ridge to look out upon the battlefield that lay before them just a mile away.

  Caleb was explaining the news he had discovered from their battle with Sihon.

  “Evidently, it was Othniel, who led the forces inward after the surprise attack by the giant squad. And it was his spear that pierced the body of Sihon.”

  “Congratulations,” said Joshua. “You must be proud of your brother’s courage and zeal.”

  “When it comes to family life, he can be quite annoying. But in a battle, I value him second only to you, commander.”

  Moses said, “We shall have to give him an honor of distinction before the congregation when we have the opportunity.”

  Caleb knew that with the dangers of war, that opportunity may never arrive with the possibility of every battle being a soldier’s last.

  They had arrived at the height of the ridge and could now see the landscape below them. The city of Edrei was on a small plateau surrounded by forest on three sides. They had cleared an open valley around the city perimeter of about a hundred yards outward. This was enough to keep invaders from approaching Edrei under cover and to provide a battlefield for skirmishes to foil sieges. Og’s forces were encamped in the open field encircling the city above them.

  Moses said, “Thank Yahweh for the terrain. We will not be facing chariots as in the flatlands of Canaan.”

  “Thank Yahweh, we only have an army of Rephaim to face,” said Caleb with a twinge of sarcasm.

  At that moment, a cloaked figure approached them running up the ridge. Moses tightened with fear. But Joshua and Caleb did not. They were expecting him.

  When the figure arrived, Moses could see he was a young and handsome man, an Israelite about twenty-five years old. He was breathing heavily from his run.

  “Moses,” said Joshua, “This is Salmon ben Nahshon of the tribe of Judah. We asked for volunteers to spy out the city of Edrei for us.”

  Caleb added, “Salmon here was the only one with loins enough to try.”

  “Impressive,” said Moses. “May Yahweh bless you with sons of greatness. What news do you bring?”

  “My lords,” said Salmon catching his breath in between. “I have run all the way from Edrei. I was able to capture a guard and slip in through the gates in his armor. I have ascertained that there are several thousand citizens in the city, and about five thousand soldiers gathered from the cities of surrounding Bashan.”

  Joshua was impatient for what he really wanted to know.

  “And how many Rephaim?”

  Salmon sighed with sobriety. “Close to a thousand, sir. They are upwards of eleven to twelve feet tall.”

  A thick silence fell over the three of the leaders. They were calculating the kind of odds they would have against such giants. They were not very good.

  “But there is one other secret you will want to know.”

  As if they did not have enough complications.

  “There is an underground city below the city where its citizens flee to for protection during a siege. I reconnoitered some of the secret passageways below, so if we break through, I can show you how to get down there.”

  “Well done, Salmon” said Joshua. “I am impressed with your skills of espionage. The best I have seen so far. I will reward you for them.”

  “Thank you, commander,” said Salmon.

  “And rest assured, I will call upon those skills again for future reconnaissance.”

  “It would be my honor.”

  Moses interrupted with a quizzical look, “Salmon, how were you able to gather such good intelligence?”

  Salmon turned his eyes away from Moses and the others with a shade of guilt. After an uncomfortable pause, he said, “My lord, the best place for gossip in cities are taverns.”

  Moses was not privy to such details. “I see. With much drinking, there is much loosening of tongues.”

  Caleb added wryly, “And with much harlotry as well.”

  Moses did not follow. He looked to Caleb for clarification.

  “Taverns are also brothels in most cities, master.”

  Moses now caught on and looked at Salmon, who still appeared too guilty to look him in the holy eye.

  “Well,” said Moses like a stern father, “Thank Yahweh we have atonement should any Israelite repent of such behavior.”

  Salmon said simply, “Amen.”

  Caleb knew that Salmon had a weakness for women. He thought that it might become a weakness that would betray him one day.

  Moses changed the subject, “You say these Rephaim are upwards of twelve feet tall?”

  Salmon said, “They are as tall as the trees of that forest.”

  After a moment, Joshua said, “Then we shall use the trees to fight the trees.”

  Moses and Caleb looked askance at Joshua.

  He continued, “The forest is dominated by juniper trees. Now, these demonic brutes are so tall, it takes four of us to fight one of them. But if they are drawn into the forest, their faces will be in the branches.”

  Moses and Caleb smiled.

  Salmon held back his reaction. He knew his place in the presence of such great leaders, and it was to respond only when spoken to.

  Caleb said, “They will have to bend down, which hampers their flexibility and striking force.”

  “The trees will be shields for us,” said Joshua, “but obstacles for them.”

  Moses said, “What tactic do you propose will lure them into such a disadvantage they are no doubt aware of.”

  Joshua only said, “I suppose it would have to be one which would undoubtedly appear as an advantage.”

  “I have been thinking,” said Caleb. “Our archers slay at a distance so we do not have to lose men in close combat. But these giants are twice the size of a man. At the battle of Jahaz, arrows were mere nuisances to the Emim and Zamzummim. So what if we built special bows that were three times the size of a man?”

  “Who would be able to operate them?” said Moses. “We have no giants on our side.”

  Caleb was still thinking it through. “I suppose a two or three man crew would suffice.”

  Moses yawned. “Well, my counselors, I will leave you to your ruminations. I am an old man and in much need of my sleep. Salmon would you bring me back?”

  “Yes, my lord Moses.”

  Salmon and Moses left them. Joshua and Caleb continued to look out onto the forest and field of battle.

  “Joshua,” said Caleb, “I know you have never stopped mourning the loss of your family.”

  Joshua would not respond.

  Caleb continued, “You know that I too have suffered such loss. So this, my question, is not without empathy.”

  Joshua was curt. “What is your question, Caleb?”

  “Do you kill for vengeance or justice?”

  “Canaanites killed my family. How do you suggest I kill Canaanites, with the joy of the Lord?”

  “Joshua, I know what it means to lose hope. To lose the one thing in your life that brings balance to your being. And I am here to tell you that if you do not watch over your soul, my Captain—my friend and brother—you will lose it.”

  “I envy you,” said Joshua. “You live in a world of imagination and ambiguity. You are a man of spiritual symbols and heaven. You see through everything into some kind of purpose or meaning beyond. It is like you are not even on earth. But I am a man of earth, blood, and law. I cannot help but see what is before me, and I demand justice, here and now. Yes, I fight for Yahweh’s justice, but I am fueled by vengeance. For if I am not, then I have dishonored the memory of my family and of all the Israelites who have been kidnapped, raped, enslaved or murdered under my care, and they are truly lost forever to me.”

  • •
• • •

  At that very moment, on the other side of Edrei, a lone scout made a reconnaissance trip around the city to gather information on the full perimeter of the fortress plateau.

  But it was not Salmon.

  Uriel was the smallest and most stealthy of the four archangels, so he had been commissioned to make the trip.

  It was at the backside of the city that Uriel discovered a large cemetery within walking distance of the city. Because places of the dead were considered taboo by Canaanite religions, he knew that armed forces would most likely avoid them unless absolutely necessary in the defense of the city.

  Uriel knew this would be the place for them to approach the city while the war was going on around the other side. They needed to find the temple of Ashtart inside the city so they could capture and bind her.

  He slipped through the graveyard of stones as the night fog began to settle. If he was not an archangel, he would have been a bit frightened by the way the moonlight spilled on the megalith stones. It marked burials of the rich, while the small burial mounds for the poor became partially obscured in the mist.

  Just past the burial grounds, he heard the sound of a single garrison at their watch. There was about ten of them and they were rather loud and sloppy in their discipline because of the unlikelihood of enemy attack at this location.

  He moved around them and found his way to the plateau that rose high above him. He concealed himself into a position where he could watch the entire mound, and then focused his sharp preternatural eyes to look for something.

  Within an hour, he found what he was looking for. A colony of bats fluttered toward the mound and then seemed to disappear into the ridge of stone and rock.

  He smiled, and started for that area.

  He had to climb over a hundred feet up the rock, but he eventually found the hidden opening into the cave. He knew there was an entire city beneath the mound of rock, so there had to be secret tunnels and airways for access into their midst.

  When he looked into the opening, he saw it was large enough for two men to get through. But there was an amazing natural wonder just inside blocking human access through the cave: The largest hornet’s nest he had ever seen. It was mud-like and made of pulp and bark chewed with the saliva of the insects. It covered the cave walls and ceiling like a natural archway and went into the cave a good fifty feet or so, creating a gauntlet of stinging death for any who stirred the angry hornets.