by Brian Godawa
The uncomfortable silence was punctuated by the sound of a ram’s horn. It was a military alert coming from the north end of the camp.
Caleb said to Rahab, “Get back to the tent. Quickly.”
Joshua and Caleb sprinted out of the war tent to mount their horses and gallop to the sound of the horn.
Joshua and Caleb arrived at the north end of camp. It was not the discovery of Donatiya as Rahab had hoped. Donatiya was never to be found.
Instead, a company of about a hundred Israelite warriors stood guard around what appeared to be a diplomatic coterie of foreign emissaries. There were four of them accompanied by twenty guards.
Joshua and Caleb strode up to them to look them over. They looked ragged and weary. They wore Mesopotamian clothing, not Canaanite.
Joshua said, “Who are you? Where are you from?”
One of the diplomats stepped forward and bowed to Joshua. He said, “My lord, my name is Lidunnamu, We four are ambassadors for the four cities of the nation of Shukura on the Euphrates in Mesopotamia.”
“What is your intent?” said Joshua.
“Quite simply,” said Lidunnamu, “to make a treaty with you.”
“Indeed,” said Joshua. “And why?”
“We have travelled a great distance from the Land between the Rivers because we had heard of your infamy in the land of Canaan. We had heard reports of what your god did in Egypt, and how he delivered you with great judgment upon Pharaoh. And a little while later, we heard how you overcame the Amorite kings, Sihon of Heshbon, and Og of Bashan. We are no fools, mighty Joshua. We seek alliance, not conflict. So our elders appointed this delegation, and laden us with many supplies to travel this great distance so as to covenant with you. We are your servants.”
And the four diplomats all bowed.
But Joshua was skeptical. “Shukura? I have never heard of that nation before.”
“It is near the ruins of Mari, my lord,” said Lidunnamu.
“What do you offer us in return?” said Joshua.
“Unrestricted trade in Mesopotamia.”
That was very tempting to Joshua.
“We are on good economic terms with the Hittites and the Mittani. We traffic in gold, silver, fine fabrics, grains, beer. But also weapons.”
“I thought you said you seek alliance, not conflict,” said Joshua.
“We sell weapons for profit, my lord, we do not use them.”
Joshua gestured for Caleb to turn their backs to the envoy in counsel. Their horses ambled a short distance away as the guards watched over the entourage.
Joshua said, “What say you, Caleb?”
Caleb said, “Their clothes are clearly not Canaanite. They are quite worn, as well as their sandals.”
“I noticed that too,” said Joshua. “The sacks on their donkeys are empty and full of patches, as well as their wineskins. They appear to have come from the great distance they claim.”
“They mentioned elders as their rulers, not kings,” said Caleb. “That is Mesopotamian not Canaanite. They are outside the boundaries of the Promise Land, so they are not under herem.”
Joshua said, “We could use all the allies we can get. And weapons.”
Caleb said, “But we do not know anything about them, Commander. I would recommend you consult the prophets or use the Urim and Thummim to inquire of Yahweh.”
Joshua sighed. “I do not want to be running to Eleazer and the prophets for every minor decision like a child for his mother’s teat. Yahweh made me leader after all, not a juvenile.”
Caleb could see Joshua was not going to listen.
“I would be cautious,” said Caleb as his last advice.
Joshua turned back and strode over to Lidunnamu, followed by Caleb. “We will covenant with your nation. But I will demand that our alliance be made known to the Hittites and Mittani for our sake.”
“Of course,” said Lidunnamu.
Joshua said, “Come with us to my tent and we will finalize negotiations. Tomorrow we will give you supplies for your return to Mesopotamia.”
Chapter 46
King Hoham sat on his throne of carved stone. Under both armrests were the engraved bodies of Sphinxes: Lions with wings and human heads. The backrest was a large span of the remains of previous Anakim kings fused together in a mass of bones that projected both death and power.
Hoham stroked his red beard in contemplation of the scene before him. On his sides were the Brothers Arba: Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai. In the darkness of the pillars behind him were the shadow forms of the gods Ba’al and Molech. It was not readily apparent whether they were alive or graven images.
Before Hoham, was the small frail form of the thirteen-year-old Canaanite girl Donatiya.
She had just given him the intelligence she was commissioned with months earlier when the Anakim had captured her people fleeing from Jericho. Because of her encounter with the prophesy of the sorceress, she was chosen to be a spy with the threat of annihilating her entire tribe if she did not return.
She was to find out who was the Chosen Seed of Israel. Sheshai had read the oracles of Balaam in Ammon, and had discovered that it would be from the line of Judah. But He never imagined that the Chosen Seed would be a woman, much less a prostitute of such insignificance.
This Yahweh seemed like a toothless moron to all of them.
The little girl was trembling with fear. She was so small before these towering massive giants, that she had to crane her neck up to look at them. They were godlike to her. They could crush her with one of their thumbs.
“Are you sure that it was confirmed by their prophets?” Hoham asked the little waif.
“Yes, my lord,” said Donatiya. “Three of them simultaneously. They said, A warrior king would arise from her royal bloodline and his Seed would crush the Seed of the Serpent.”
Sheshai whispered to Hoham, “That is corroboration with the sorceress from Bashan.” He was referring to the sorceress that Donatiya saw prophecy over Rahab outside Jericho. Two sources of completely alien seers prophesying the same identity could not be more persuasive evidence of confirmation.
But Hoham was confused. “Why is it not the king who arises who will conquer, but his Seed? And is this Seed plural or singular?”
Ba’al whispered to Sheshai from behind the pillar. The gods had the ability to throw their whispers at a distance.
Sheshai then said, “Either way, my king, we kill the woman, we choke the Seed.”
Hoham asked Donatiya, “What is the name of this whore’s husband?”
“Caleb ben Jephunneh.”
“We must kill him as well.”
She cautioned him, “He is the Right Hand of the leader of Israel. He is a mighty gibborim.”
“We will have to target him in battle then.”
Hoham could see her fear and became soft in his expression. “My sweet little girl, you have nothing to fear. You have accomplished your task with more effect than one of my warriors. Your tribe is safe. In fact, I graciously reward such service.”
Donatiya calmed a little. But not a lot. These Anakim were imposing looking monsters no matter how appreciative they were.
They were interrupted by a herald, “My lord, the king, mighty ruler of the Anakim, a messenger from King Adonizedek has arrived.”
He bowed low and Hoham gestured to bring him in. He then waved one of the guards to move Donatiya aside in waiting.
His huge six-fingered hands seemed to swallow up Donatiya’s back as he gently moved her to the side of the throne out of the way.
The messenger entered the room and stopped short when he saw the gargantuan Ahiman beside the throne. He knew who he was and was clearly apprehensive as he approached Hoham and knelt before him.
The messenger held out a sealed dispatch and said, “King Adonizedek of Jerusalem gives his greetings and prays that all goes well with the king of Kiriath-arba.”
It was a clay envelope with a seal on it. Hoham read the letter as everyone waited.
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Talmai was getting fidgety waiting. He could not stand court politics. He wanted to kill someone.
Sheshai knew this had something to do with Israel. They were making headway into Canaan with their full destruction of the cities of Jericho, Ai and Bethel. It was only a matter of days before they would turn their full force to the south to capture Jerusalem and its surrounding cities.
Ahiman was haunted by his desire to sit on the throne of power. It made him hate Hoham to see him in his entire regal splendor where Ahiman should be sitting. And Ahiman should be reading the private dispatch of kings, not this unworthy wretch.
Hoham called out, “Scribe!”
A sniveling little human monk ran forward with a small table that held a blank clay tablet. He readied his blunt reed stylus and looked to the king for commands.
Hoham dictated. The scribe followed with frantic pressings to keep up, “Say to Adonizedek, king of Jerusalem, thus says Hoham, king of Kiriath-arba. For you and your mighty city may all go well. For me and my city all goes well. I have received your urgent request for our support in a military coalition. I agree that the Habiru jeopardize our very existence in this land.”
Sheshai smirked. He was right. Just as Ba’al had told them, the War of the Seed was upon them.
Hoham continued, “You say the city of Gibeon has tricked Israel into a treaty to protect herself. If this treaty is as you say, then we can afford no delay. Gibeon is a city of mighty warriors and their act is treachery to all of us in Canaan. We will meet with your forces, and those of the other three kings of the area in three days hence. May the gods be with you and with your kingdom.”
The scribe finished and prepared to bring the clay for a quick firing in the ovens before it was sent back to Adonizedek.
Sheshai asked, “What are the other three cities that Adonizedek has allied with?”
Hoham said, “Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon.”
Ahiman interjected, “We have not much time. I will prepare some of our forces to aid them.”
“Hold our elite corps back home,” said Hoham. “I do not want to waste our best forces on someone else’s campaign.”
“Wise choice, my king,” said Sheshai.
Talmai butted in, “Can I join them, my lord? I am itching to kill.”
“No,” said Hoham. “I have a more important task for you and Sheshai.”
That got Sheshai’s attention.
“If we battle Gibeon, the Habiru will be obligated to protect them. That means they will leave their own camp at Gilgal wide open. So, while the Habiru are busy battling us, I want you two to find your way to Gilgal, hunt down this Rahab of Israel and kill her.”
Talmai smiled. This Rahab was no doubt heavily protected, which would result in him killing Israelite scum after all.
Sheshai leaned in and cautioned Hoham, “My king, the girl spy.”
“Oh, yes,” said Hoham. And he gave a wave to the soldier behind Donatiya. He stepped aside and the dark form of Molech appeared from between the columns. He grabbed her entire face from behind with his large monstrous hands and lifted her off her feet, with muffled cries, back into the shadows.
They heard the snap of her spine echo through the hall.
But Sheshai knew Molech was not done with her. He was repulsed at what the god did with the bodies of little children, alive or dead. It was unspeakable.
But now he had to begin planning his strategy for assassinating the Seed of Eve.
• • • • •
Molech met with Ba’al in his temple. Molech paced nervously. Ba’al watched him with contempt. He despised the creature.
Molech said, “I do not think I will be of much help to you, here. I had better go back to Ammon.”
Stinking cowardly dog, thought Ba’al. He would be the weak link that would bring about my downfall anyway.
“Yes, you should leave as soon as possible.”
“Good idea,” said Molech. “I will leave now. And I will spread word among the others. I only wish I could see the looks on those wretched Israelite faces when Elyon Ba’al, the Most High, exterminates them like ants in a flood from the power of his mighty storm.”
Filthy conniving flatterer, thought Ba’al. I’d like to rip out your tongue.
If only Ashtart were still here. They would have been able to put up a powerful united front against these Habiru and their archangels.
But she was not here, and Ba’al would have to do this on his own. He had heard that it had taken three of the archons to successfully imprison Ashtart in Tartarus. He did not know how many were coming for him, but he would be ready for them. He had been preparing for this for a long time. They would not know what they were walking into.
Chapter 47
It was the Feast of Weeks for Israel in Gilgal. The time of year when all the people celebrated the giving of the law to Moses on Sinai, and presented grain offerings of new grain and bread to Yahweh. These were mixed by the priests with the burnt offerings of seven unblemished lambs, one bull, and two rams. Then a peace offering was made of one male goat and two male lambs, all one year old.
All the offerings had been made and the people settled in to various parties all over the camp.
Joshua had a special gathering for the families of the commanders of thousands and hundreds around the war tent. A feast of the finest foods that could be gathered was lavished on them. There was beef as well as fish caught from the Jordan, a rare delicacy. All kinds of fruit and vegetables adorned the tables along with pitchers of milk and honey for the bread cakes. It was Joshua’s way of saying thank you to his commanders for their fearless leading in the first battles of their conquest of Canaan.
It was also a way of getting to see Rahab again. He felt guilty, but he could not deny it. He could not stop thinking of her. She was invading his mind, keeping him awake at night.
And now she stood before him next to her husband Caleb at the festivities. She was gorgeous. Her hair was growing in more and she seemed to dress in the most exquisite of outfits. She had not yet fully embraced the more modest clothing of her new Israelite sisters. This evening, she wore a kind of Egyptian looking white linen dress that laid on her body with such elegance that Joshua could not keep his eyes off her.
Even just the turn of her form and the sweep of her dress were desirous. Caleb was busy telling stories with a couple other commanders and their wives. So he did not notice Joshua’s stare. Neither did Rahab.
Joshua would steal as many casual glances her way as he could during the night. He took a sip of some wine and it went down his throat like an aphrodisiac.
He began to fantasize making love to her in a spring meadow beside the rushing waters of the Jordan. He imagined caressing her curves, kissing her large pulpy lips.
The thought followed that he was the mighty leader of Israel, who had strongly and courageously led his forces in powerful victories over the Canaanites. He was a gibbor, a mighty man of valor. He lived at a level beyond the normal man in intensity and adventure. And as the mighty leader of Israel, he also had sexual hunger that was beyond that of normal men as well. Everything was more intense for him. And did not Yahweh make him this way?
If he did not fulfill that hunger inside of him, it may actually hamper his ability to lead Israel. It might cloud his mind with unfulfilled distractions.
He was the leader of Israel. He could take her if he wanted.
Joshua’s fantasy was broken by the sound of Caleb raising a toast.
“And I for one, would give my very life to protect the man who has led us on this journey of faith and victory in the Promised Land. He is an example to me of the kind of discipline and holiness that I lack in my own spiritual journey. Here is to our Commander, Joshua ben Nun!”
Everyone toasted Joshua with a loud, “Amen! Amen!”
And Joshua felt like a complete and utter hypocrite. Here he was, lusting after his best friend’s wife, while everyone was praising him for his “holy” character.
I
am a fraud, he thought. There is only one thing I can do to rip this evil from my heart.
Joshua proclaimed, “Grab the ram’s horns. Announce to Israel a gathering around the tabernacle, for a reading of the Torah!”
It had taken some hours, but Joshua had read through all the Law that Moses had written after Sinai. And he did so before all the congregation of Israel at the Tent of Meeting.
His throat was hoarse by the end, but his soul had been scrubbed clean. At first, he could barely keep his mind on the words he was reading, because of the depression about his own depravity. But as he read on through the stories of his ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he felt in the company of great men with greater flaws and weakness of character whom Yahweh nevertheless chose for his purposes.
As he recounted the Egyptian slavery, the exodus, and the wilderness journeys, his memories of Yahweh’s goodness and care became alive again. And as he read through the Levitical laws, he received a vision of Yahweh’s holiness so pure and intense, it was like a blinding light that pierced his soul. Israel was a royal priesthood of Yahweh’s perfection. And he understood again that Yahweh’s laws were not restrictive, but freeing. They were the boundaries for experiencing the best that the creator offered to humanity.
And then the reading of the civil laws affirmed to him that Israel was a chosen nation to receive the laws that would make all nations seek such justice.
It was a cathartic experience for him. It had saved him, pulled him from the cliff’s edge. He silently prayed to Yahweh that he would never entertain such adulterous thoughts ever again.
He wept bitterly that night alone in his tent.
• • • • •
Joshua was awakened in the early hours of the morning by the blast of the ram’s horn. It was another envoy visiting the camp.
When Joshua rushed out to the west side of the camp, he discovered Lidunnamu with a small guard of five men surrounded by a band of one hundred Israelite warriors and Caleb. But he noticed that the emissary was wearing Canaanite clothing, and the guards as well. Strange.
“Lidunnamu. How did you come back? Where is the rest of your entourage?”
