Host: Hello, everyone, and welcome to another thriller episode of Inside-out Hospitality Heroes’ Spotlight. Today we have a woman who did not let her past stop her from being used by God. She had raw faith, unshakeable faith and received people who were not only strangers but spies, enemies of her homeland. That’s some radical hospitality right there!
Her story is woven into the very fabric of faith.
It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. Hebrews 11:31, NLT
Who would have thought a former prostitute would find herself in the Hall of Faith right alongside Father Abraham? She harboured 2 Israelite spies in her home despite the risk to her life if caught. It was not just an act of kindness but great faith. She is brave, smart, resourceful, and strategic.
From an outsider in Jericho to an insider in Israel. From a woman with a stained past to a matriarch in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Now that is a story worth hearing!
Let’s welcome Rahab!
Rahab: Thank you very much, it is a pleasure and honour to be here.
Host: Your story, when read feels like some thriller movie! You risked your life for complete strangers. Why on earth would you do that?
Rahab: We were going to die anyway! Jericho was trembling in fear because we had heard all about the mighty acts of Israel’s God. He humiliated Pharaoh (premium shege!), parted the Red Sea, and led His people to victory time and time again. We knew Jericho was next. Everyone in town was terrified! What could we possibly do against such a powerful God?
I believed God had given them victory. My people would have killed me if they found out, but if I didn’t align myself with God’s people, I would have perished with them anyway. Faith often requires strategic decisions. Hospitality isn’t just about being nice—it’s about recognizing God’s hand and positioning yourself accordingly.
We can choose to make that same choice today. We have been hearing of the wondrous things of God, but we fear choosing Him-fear of family opinions, fear of change, fear of the unknown. But not choosing God is choosing death anyway so choose wisely!
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses…Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! (Deuteronomy 30:19, NLT)
Host: That’s some bold faith there! Sometimes we are too familiar with God, and we forget how powerful He is. You heard about God and believed, while the Israelites, who saw Him firsthand, still doubted. What a lesson for us!
Now, tell us…some people think the spies were coming for your…you know…(coughs) services…distracted from their original mission…please tell us, was that the case?
Rahab: Hahahaha, Oh no, not at all! But I can see why people might think that. I think that’s probably one of the reasons why they came to my house? You know, in my former profession as a prostitute, I had the gist of the whole city and it was kinda normal for men to come in and out of my house. Also, my house was strategically located by the city gate, easy for escape. I believe God saw this, and my heart and still chose to use me.
Host: Wow…God can use anyone and anything for His glory. We do not need to be limited by our past. He can use all of that. When you spoke about your home being strategically located, it hit me. This makes me wonder—what if we viewed our homes as strategic locations for God’s work?
(To the audience) Maybe your house is strategically located to host a Bible study, prayer meeting, mentoring sessions, hosting missionaries, etc…Have you considered opening your home for God’s purpose?
(Back to Rahab) Now, I have to hand it to you… That quick thinking when you tricked the king’s men—legendary! But, let’s talk about this scarlet rope. You just happened to have one in your house? And your negotiation skills—flawless!
Rahab: (Chuckles.) Oh, the scarlet rope? That was originally used by some of my former clients… you know, for quick escapes when their wives came knocking. (Smirks.) But that same cord became my lifeline, my sign of faith! It marked my house as a place of safety, just like the blood of the lamb did for the Israelites in Egypt. And guess what? When Jericho fell, my family and I were the only ones spared!
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” (Acts 16:31)
Not everyone in my family believed at first. Some thought I was crazy. But I held on to faith, and because of that, they got to see salvation firsthand. Hospitality has a ripple effect—it starts with one person but spreads to many.
Host: Hallelujah! What a powerful lesson. I see that faith in God leads to inside-out hospitality. Hospitality isn’t just about meals—it’s about offering refuge and safety to those in need.
What I also see is, we shouldn’t discriminate who we show and receive hospitality from. Be wise and guided by God, yes, but do not limit God. Maybe, it’s for us to preach Christ to that one.
And I love what you said about not everyone believing at first. Sometimes, we host people, share Jesus with them, but don’t see immediate results. But that doesn’t mean we stop. Hospitality isn’t always about instant rewards—it’s about planting seeds of faith.
Rahab: That is so true. Isn’t God amazing? One act of faith, one moment of hospitality, and He rewrote my story completely. I married Salmon, and had a son named Boaz (you may have heard of his wife, Ruth?)
Host: Rahab, you just spilled the tea! Boaz happens to be our next guest. And now we can all see where he got his heart for kindness and hospitality from! You became the great-great-grandmother of David! Girl!!!
Before you go, if you could give one final word to our readers about hospitality, what would it be?
Rahab: I would say:
- Know God. He is worthy of your trust.
- Have faith in Him. He can rewrite any story.
- Align yourself with His purpose. Hospitality is a tool for discipleship and kingdom expansion.
- Don’t live in fear. My people in Jericho let fear keep them from stepping into faith. You don’t have to make the same mistake!
Host: That’s it—nothing more to add! She ate and left no crumbs.
Rahab, not Rahab the prostitute, but Rahab the woman of great faith and hospitality, thank you for joining us today.
You can read more about her in Joshua 2, 6:22-23, Matthew 1:5, Hebrews 11:31, and James 2:25.
If you loved this episode, like, share, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss our next guest—Boaz!
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