We knew it was inevitable. This nation, called Israel had become massive in size and even our walls might not hold them back. We all began to wonder when we saw this mighty populous camping at the base of it.
The wall was deemed impenetrable – built on an embankment with a 15 foot retaining wall. On top of that was a 6 foot thick mud brick wall that reached almost 50 feet high. There was another wall built at the base of the retaining wall. Many lived inside the fortress, but I lived in a room inside the wall itself. My window gave me a bird’s eye view of the enormous army.
My room was also a den of iniquity. I was a harlot, you see. Selling myself for sexual gratification was part of my religion. Canaanites served many gods, but one of them was the goddess, Ashtaroth, the goddess of the moon, fertility, love and war. Prostitution was part of the worship. Our nation had become consumed with all sorts of evil activity.
As I watched this nation below from my window – a nation which had endured 40 years in the desert – worshipped the God who led them with light and delivered them to their promised land – caused them to grow into a mighty nation – I wondered about their God. There seemed to be a dedication I had not seen in my people.
Their day began with prayer to this unseen god. They seemed happier. They went about their daily living with determination. They were simple people, yet there was something special about them.
Some came to my door and asked to be hidden. They were spies. Had they come to see what they were up against? Were they about to attack and needed to know our weakest point? What did they want from me? I should have felt threatened, but somehow I felt calm with these men.
I’d heard stories of how their God parted the Red Sea to provide escape from Egypt. I knew their God plagued Egypt and eventually the first born son of Pharoah died because of the final plague. I’d personally seen them cross the Jordan River as a mighty nation.
I told them all this and added, “When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”
With that, I agreed to their request, with the condition that when they invaded Jericho, they would spare my family. They had a condition as well. I was to tell no one of their coming and to leave a cord of scarlet in my window, so their soldiers wouldn’t harm my family. After any danger of being found, the spies fled and I hung the cord as a sign.
There invasion was like nothing I’d ever before seen. For seven days, the Israelites marched around the walls of Jericho, with the Ark of the Covenant. On the seventh day, they did the same, only they did so seven times. At the end, the men raised their voices in a great shout and the priests blew the ram’s horns loudly. The walls began to shake and eventually came crashing down upon themselves. Everyone within those walls died that day – everyone except for my family and myself.
There was no doubt. The God of Israel was the true God and I would never stop worshiping Him. Great is the name of the Lord.
Soon after that horrible destruction, I was married to Salmon, a prince of the house of Judah. My life turned to God and He redeemed me and gave me a son, named Boaz.
Who would’ve thought that someone with a past like mine would fit into God’s plan? It’s like an amazing puzzle. He takes all the pieces, including those that don’t fit, and places them perfectly into His plan for salvation.
He is faithful to all those who put their trust in him – even the greatest of sinners.
God’s Word is true and He always keeps His promises.
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