It was a very sunny afternoon. Everyone reluctantly agreed to show up at the impromptu family meeting. The atmosphere was tense.
Man 1: What does she have to say? Someone who is a reproach to the entire family. (Shakes his head)
Man 2: (Angrily) Even her own father is not here. Why are we here?
(The women in the room murmured among themselves.)
Family Head: (With a shaky voice) My people, we are here today because one of our daughters has an important message for us. I know we don't like her, but what she wants to share is very important.
(Loud argument erupts as several men stood up at the same time to speak while the women murmured among themselves)
Family Head: (Motions to everyone to keep quiet) I have listened to her. Please, give her some time to tell you what she wants to say.
(As she was about to speak, her Dad and Mum entered the meeting; a round of laughter filled the air).
Voice: The parents of the harlot.
(Another round of laughter)
(She stood in front of everyone as they mocked her parents. She looked into her mother's face- her eyes had already turned into a lake about to overflow it banks. Her father's head was bowed. He was too ashamed to look at anyone)
Rahab: Some days ago, two men came into my house.
(A shrieking laughter broke out; a few scoffed)
Voice: Are you doing two men at a time now?
Rahab: (Sternly) No. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the Hebrew spies.
(Everywhere suddenly becomes quiet)
Rahab: You heard about the two Hebrew spies that came into town. They came to my apartment and I hid them because of what we have all heard about them.
Voice: Why didn't you hand them over to the authorities?
Rahab: (Sharply cuts in) What different does it make? Have you not heard about their God? Are you going to arrest their God too?
(A pause. No one interrupts. Passionately)
Rahab: We have all heard the stories, the cities that fell, kings that couldn't stand.
(Everywhere became dead silent)
Rahab: Whatever we do, the Hebrews will kill everyone in this land like they have done to the others. I believe their God cannot be stopped.
(She looked around to see if anyone would protest, but everyone was silent. Their face showed fear; she continued)
Rahab: See, I am not going to say more than this. I know you don't approve of my lifestyle, but I struck a deal with the spies. They won't kill anyone that is found in my apartment when they attack us. So, I am sharing this with you. Come over to my place and you'll be safe. Stay away and you'll be killed.
(Rahab sits and there was silence in the room for almost a minute)
Voice: But our wall is strong. How will they pass?
(Murmurings sprang up across the room)
(Rahab stands to answer the question)
Rahab: I have had customers who told me different stories. I verified some of these stories from the Hebrew spies. Have you heard about how God delivered them from Egypt? Plagues upon plagues! Have you heard about how He parted the red sea and made the Hebrews pass through on a dry land? If He can part the red sea, do you think He can't break our wall?
Family Head: I think there is some sense in what Rahab is saying. I can only advice you. Find your way into her apartment once the attack begins. If not, you may not survive it.
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