Le Soudan Francais En 1889-1890 (1891)

Rahab, a former prostitute, has been saved by the Israelite Salmon from the horrible destruction of Jericho, using a scarlet cord that once belonged to his mother. But Rahab is shocked when her trusted hero takes her into his tent, using the law regarding a captive woman. According to the law, Rahab must spend thirty days in Salmon’s tent. They are not allowed to sleep together, but they can talk. Although Rahab’s past relationships make her want nothing to do with men anymore, she wants to learn everything she can about the God of the Israelites, who has seen fit to spare her life. Salmon hopes that in their conversations about God’s law, she will learn to care for him. Surprisingly, he realizes that he has been the learner in the situation, beginning to see his God in different, more illuminated ways. Not until a crisis comes in their relationship does Rahab realize how entwined their lives have become. The Cord is a love story-between God and man and between man and woman. Rahab and Salmon learn to love God and each other in ways neither thought possible.