Rahab the Harlot--Wattys Awards

Epilogue

Rahab continued to live outside the Hebrew Camp while Salmon awaited Joshua's decision on accepting her among the Hebrew peoples.

"No woman among our own people has done more to help our people as Rahab has done. She shall be as a virgin when she comes to wed," Joshua said.

At last Rahab was invited along with her family to offer sacrifices of a ram to The Lord God of Moses

Rahab wore a fine robe of many colors that Joshua permitted to be taken from a local wealthy Canaanite house outside of Jericho. Salmon wore his robe and headdress of the head of his tribe. They faced Eleazar the high priest who assumed those duties upon the death of Aaron. On his breastplate were symbols of all the tribes of the Israelites.

Salmon and Rahab bowed before Eleazar while he pronounced the blessing on their marriage.

"The Lord God bless you and keep you,

The Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious unto you,

Then Lord lift up his countenance upon you,

And give you Peace.

Amen."

Rahab turned to her father and mother. 'Take care of the young Boaz for us."

Friends of Salmon had prepared a wilderness booth where a new husband wife would dwell for eight sensuous days.

When Salmon and Rahab came together in the marriage booth, they spoke prepared words to each other. 

Rahab said, "Kiss me with the kisses of your mouth—

for your love is more delightful than wine."

Salmon said to her, "Behold, you are fair, my sister, my love

Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;

your name is like perfume poured out.

No wonder you are easy to love,"

Rahab then said, "Take me away with you—let us hurry!

Let my husband bring me into his chambers.

Tell me, you whom I love,

where you graze your flock

and where you rest your sheep at midday.

Why should I be like a veiled woman

beside the flocks of your friends."

Salmon then said, "Behold you are fair, my sister, my bride.

You have hair like a flock of goats moving down the slopes of Gilead.

You have eyes like almonds.

Your breasts are twin fauns that feed among the lilies.

How right it is that my loins desire you!"

Rahab said, "Dark am I, yet lovely,

daughters of Israel,

dark like the tents of Kedar,

like the tent curtains of Pharaoh."

Salmon undressed Rahab who felt that tingle as never before.  Here was the real love she was waiting all her life for.

Salmon said, "You do not know, most beautiful of women,

 That I liken you, my darling, to a mare