Crimson Cord Book Review

In the most closed off societies, women found themselves at the bottom with no resources and at the mercy of other’s around them. They become victims and lived in slavery, especially in sinful patriarch societies where women’s worth was very little. If a woman is infertile or could not bear sons for her husband, she became worthless in the marriage. The medical technology did not exist to prove the man was a fault; so, the woman became the scapegoat.

If a woman’s father did not make a good match for her with someone of character and honesty, a woman’s life could also become hell on earth. The man she is married to determines her place and well-being in society.  Corruptions, scandal, hate, and crime were often enemies of a woman’s fate. Such is the backdrop for The Crimson Cord.

Author Jill Eileen Smith tells the story of Rahab in her book The Crimson Cord. Rahab had the misfortune to be born in an evil city in ancient times, Jericho. Very little is said about how she became a harlot in the Bible. She is mentioned briefly in Joshua 2 when she gave refuge to Israelites spies and helped save them from the evil king. She hid them in the flax on her roof. We do not hear about Rahab again until Matthew when her name is mentioned in the lineage of Jesus:

Matthew 1:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab,
Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth,
Obed fathered Jesse,”

Jesse fathered King David whose direct lineage leads to Jesus.

Then we see her mentioned again in the Hebrews Hall of Faith.

Hebrews 11:31 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

31 By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.”

In her book, Smith attempts to fill in the narrative of the brief Biblical story of Rahab. She weaves a wonderful tale that begins in Jericho and tells how Rahab became a harlot. Rehab did not chose the profession, but she was forced into it by the corrupt officials in Jericho. She was actually a smart woman who wanted to lead a virtuous life but was trapped in a world of sin and lust because of choices of her father and then her selfish and sinful husband, Gamal. Gamal could have provided a secure and loving home, but his vanity and greed lead him into a life of gambling and debt. When he could not repay his debt, Rahab was caught up in his crimes and found herself sold into slavery. Her master set her up as his mistress and then began selling her body to the highest bidder.

Her salvation came when Salmon, one of the two Israelite spies sent to Jericho, pledges that because she saved them from the king, she and her family would not be killed when the Israelites destroy Jericho. He told her to display a crimson cord in her window and gather her family in her home when the attack begins.

The Israelite army surrounded Jericho, but did not invade. Instead, the fighters circled the city, confusing the citizens. Rahab, however, knew that the destruction of Jericho would come quickly; so, she gathered her family and waited until the seventh day when the walls crashed down destroying all the city’s inhabitants. Salmon remembered the pledge he made to Rahab before God and brought her family to live among his people.

Although, Salmon felt stirrings of attraction for Rahab, he was disgusted because of her sinful life as a harlot. He could never forsee that they would ever marry, but as history tells us, God had other plans. How God’s plans came to fruition is what is so moving and beautiful about this story of forgiveness, redemption, and true love. I highly recommend it to all.

Contributing to these hops:  What to Read Wednesdays at Paradise Praises