What Would the Captain Do?

An excerpt from chapter 2 of By the Waters of Kadesh, due next month:

 

Kamose slid his dagger down the length of the willow branch a final time, removing the last of the twigs and knots, making it as smooth as possible. He ran his fingers down the branch, then took an end in each hand and flexed it. Satisfied, he tossed it in a pile with the rest of the replacement poles. Anything to keep busy.

Nahshon strode toward Kamose. “We need your help.”

Kamose sheathed his blade. “Why?”

Nahshon picked up one of the poles. “I’ve just come from the assembly. It has been suggested we send spies into Canaan before we send in men to take the land.”

Fists on his hips, Kamose studied his sandaled feet. It wasn’t a bad idea. He would have made the same decision himself had he planned this conquest as a commander in Egypt. The problem was, he hadn’t planned it. Yahweh had.

He returned his gaze to Nahshon, and saw the same dilemma in Nahshon’s eyes.

“What do Moses and Joshua say?”

“Moses is bewildered. Joshua is angry.”

Kamose smiled. Anger was exactly the reaction he expected from his young friend. “What do you need from me?”

“They want to talk to you.”

“What can I do?”

“They want a professional soldier’s perspective. And you’re the only one we’ve got.”

“Lead the way.” Kamose followed Nahshon back to Moses’s tent. “What do you think should be done?”

Nahshon shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m glad it’s not my decision.”

They reached Moses’s tent and Nahshon pulled back the tent flaps. Moses and Joshua sat waiting for them.

Kamose sat on a cushion facing them, next to Nahshon. “I thought Yahweh promised to deliver the land to you.”

Joshua scowled. “He did, but the people are uncomfortable going in without information.” He threw his hand in the air and blew out his frustration. “They will not trust Him.”

Kamose turned to Moses. “What do you think?”

The strain of his decision showed in Moses’s eyes, and he raked his hand through the white hair that barely touched his shoulders. “I didn’t expect this reaction. I know the people have complained constantly since we left Egypt. But I thought once we reached here, where we can see Canaan, where we are two days from entering the land, that they would go in and take it as Yahweh said. I did not expect this delay.” He rubbed his hand over his clean-shaven face.

Kamose chuckled to himself. Moses had to be the only Hebrew who shaved every day—a habit he still practiced from his life as an Egyptian prince.

Moses interrupted Kamose’s thoughts. “What is your advice, Kamose?”

“Spies are a common military tactic. I have often been part of a scouting mission. But I cannot make this decision.”

Joshua repeatedly flicked his thumb across the tip of his spear as he looked north toward the hills. “Do you think it would help?”

Kamose studied his friend for a moment before he spoke. “You may feel it is not necessary. But perhaps the people don’t have the faith you do. You can see a future that does not yet exist. Most men cannot.” He shrugged. “If you let them go and see the land first, maybe they will have the faith they’ll need when it comes time to attack.”

Moses sat silently for several moments. Then he stood, pulling himself up with the shepherd’s staff he was never without. “We will send in spies. We must begin immediately. Kamose, I want you to train them.”

Kamose nodded. “Who will go?”

“Joshua will be one of them. Any thoughts on the others?”

Kamose drew a deep breath. “I think you need to begin making distinctions among your elders between leaders and warriors. Joshua is a good choice. He is a fighter.” He paused. “I would not send Nahshon.”

“Agreed,” Moses said.

Nahshon jumped up, eyes flashing. “Why not? I fought as well as any of you.”

Moses crossed to him and put his hand on his shoulder. “You are a leader. Your people look to you for guidance. We need you here.” He left the tent.

“It’s not an insult, Nahshon.” Kamose spoke quietly. “You are too important to risk.”

Nahshon sat and huffed, resting his forearms on his knees.

Joshua leaned closer to Kamose. “I want you to tell us what we need to look for, how to get that information, and most importantly, how to survive.”

Kamose nodded. “When do you want to start?”

“As soon as possible.”

“Is there a way to meet the spies before training begins?”

Joshua shrugged. “Sure. But why?”

“Men act differently in the field, around other men. This will allow me to get to know them a bit before training starts. I can meet with each one tomorrow, and the next day is the Sabbath. We can start the next day. We’ll meet north of camp.”

Joshua chuckled. “This is exactly why we need you.”