not be drawn to her shame.
Caleb graciously agreed.
The families gathered in Caleb’s tent. Wine and oil were distributed among the participants, and nuts for the children. A small band of minstrels played on flutes and lyres.
Since Joshua had not followed through on Caleb’s demotion, Caleb was dressed in his military officer’ s garb. He wore a pure polished copper breastplate and shin greaves, and he carried a pure copper sword in his sheath. It was all ceremonial dress and weapons and it made him shine like the heavenly host. He had a royal purple cape made from the Philistine coast, and a fine cloth headpiece whose three corners lay down his back, reminiscent of their Egyptian past.
He walked around greeting people and making small talk with the several commanders who had been invited.
Caleb’s daughter Achsah accompanied him, dressed in a fine white linen celebration garment with flowers in her hair.
Othniel watched Achsah with longing. She had grown into a beautiful young woman of seventeen years old. He had shriveled up into a coward who could not reveal his desires to her or to Caleb. But now was his brother’s day. He would not want to distract from that in any way.
At least that is what he told himself.
Caleb stepped up to Joshua, also dressed in military ceremonial garb like Caleb.
“General,” said Caleb. “I am honored with your presence.”
“You deserve it, Caleb,” said Joshua. “I do not want any of the men doubting my support—or Yahweh’s support—of this union.”
Caleb grabbed wrists with Joshua and gave him a look of solidarity.
At one point, Caleb looked at Achsah and leaned in to whisper to her, “You are as lovely as a bride, my child. One day, this will be your joy as well.”
“Thank you, father,” she said, hiding the painful resignation of her own despair.
Achsah was a bit afraid of this enigmatic exotic new stepmother and her Canaanite family. But she trusted her father because his wisdom and valor were impeccable. Ever since her mother had died, her father had always made decisions with a careful concern for how they affected her.
The crowd went hush. The bride was coming.
Rahab had walked along the pathways of the camp, accompanied by her companions carrying flowers and lamps. Others joined in the procession until she arrived at the bridegroom’s tent with her entourage.
When Rahab arrived at the tent opening, Caleb’s breath was taken away. The afternoon sun glared behind her, creating an angelic presence to her astounding beauty. Her hair had been growing back in, but it was still rather short, so she wore an elaborate headdress and translucent veil.
Her eyes were the most gorgeous intense and penetrating eyes Caleb had ever seen. The elaborate makeup accentuated them even more and hypnotized him.
She wore a multi-colored gown covered with flowers. She was a Garden of Eden to him. White was reserved for virgins. But as far as Caleb was concerned, Rahab was a clean and pure soul.
She saw him and her own legs went weak. His uniform and confidence made him so strong and dignified that she never saw his age. He was a tower of strength to her. He was a gallant, virtuous, and mighty man who would protect her from the monsters of her past and the monsters of the future. She never thought she would ever be worthy of such grace. She fought back the tears.
They met in the middle and were crowned with garland. He led her to the priest who waited to make a benediction over them, and announce the celebration of their newfound life together.
As the people feasted, Caleb and Rahab left their guests to go to her family’s tent for their consummation.
Everyone had been cleared out for them to be alone that night.
Caleb and Rahab bathed themselves in separate tents. Caleb made his way to Rahab’s tent and found the marriage bed. He had a surprise for her. He had brought a bag of white rose petals picked by Achsah. He spread out the petals on the floor all
Caleb graciously agreed.
The families gathered in Caleb’s tent. Wine and oil were distributed among the participants, and nuts for the children. A small band of minstrels played on flutes and lyres.
Since Joshua had not followed through on Caleb’s demotion, Caleb was dressed in his military officer’ s garb. He wore a pure polished copper breastplate and shin greaves, and he carried a pure copper sword in his sheath. It was all ceremonial dress and weapons and it made him shine like the heavenly host. He had a royal purple cape made from the Philistine coast, and a fine cloth headpiece whose three corners lay down his back, reminiscent of their Egyptian past.
He walked around greeting people and making small talk with the several commanders who had been invited.
Caleb’s daughter Achsah accompanied him, dressed in a fine white linen celebration garment with flowers in her hair.
Othniel watched Achsah with longing. She had grown into a beautiful young woman of seventeen years old. He had shriveled up into a coward who could not reveal his desires to her or to Caleb. But now was his brother’s day. He would not want to distract from that in any way.
At least that is what he told himself.
Caleb stepped up to Joshua, also dressed in military ceremonial garb like Caleb.
“General,” said Caleb. “I am honored with your presence.”
“You deserve it, Caleb,” said Joshua. “I do not want any of the men doubting my support—or Yahweh’s support—of this union.”
Caleb grabbed wrists with Joshua and gave him a look of solidarity.
At one point, Caleb looked at Achsah and leaned in to whisper to her, “You are as lovely as a bride, my child. One day, this will be your joy as well.”
“Thank you, father,” she said, hiding the painful resignation of her own despair.
Achsah was a bit afraid of this enigmatic exotic new stepmother and her Canaanite family. But she trusted her father because his wisdom and valor were impeccable. Ever since her mother had died, her father had always made decisions with a careful concern for how they affected her.
The crowd went hush. The bride was coming.
Rahab had walked along the pathways of the camp, accompanied by her companions carrying flowers and lamps. Others joined in the procession until she arrived at the bridegroom’s tent with her entourage.
When Rahab arrived at the tent opening, Caleb’s breath was taken away. The afternoon sun glared behind her, creating an angelic presence to her astounding beauty. Her hair had been growing back in, but it was still rather short, so she wore an elaborate headdress and translucent veil.
Her eyes were the most gorgeous intense and penetrating eyes Caleb had ever seen. The elaborate makeup accentuated them even more and hypnotized him.
She wore a multi-colored gown covered with flowers. She was a Garden of Eden to him. White was reserved for virgins. But as far as Caleb was concerned, Rahab was a clean and pure soul.
She saw him and her own legs went weak. His uniform and confidence made him so strong and dignified that she never saw his age. He was a tower of strength to her. He was a gallant, virtuous, and mighty man who would protect her from the monsters of her past and the monsters of the future. She never thought she would ever be worthy of such grace. She fought back the tears.
They met in the middle and were crowned with garland. He led her to the priest who waited to make a benediction over them, and announce the celebration of their newfound life together.
As the people feasted, Caleb and Rahab left their guests to go to her family’s tent for their consummation.
Everyone had been cleared out for them to be alone that night.
Caleb and Rahab bathed themselves in separate tents. Caleb made his way to Rahab’s tent and found the marriage bed. He had a surprise for her. He had brought a bag of white rose petals picked by Achsah. He spread out the petals on the floor all
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