I’ve just begun a personal devotional that goes through the book of Matthew. This past week I started with the first chapter, which covers the lineage of Jesus. One doesn’t always enjoy reading a list of genealogical records, but I truly became intrigued by the reading. As was typical of Matthew’s time period, the forebears of Jesus were listed only by the names of the fathers, with four notable exceptions. Three females are noted by name – Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth. The fourth, Bathsheba, is only referenced but not named.
Out of the entire ancestral line of Jesus, why did the author select these four mothers as notable? That got me to digging a little. Genesis 38 features the life of Tamar. Her choices speak of bravery in the face of hopelessness. Tamar risked her very life to conceive sons and ensure her place in the household of patriarch Judah. Read about it if you have a chance!
And then, Joshua 2 tells of Rahab, the prostitute who protected the Israelite spies who had come to scope out Jericho. The book of Ruth reveals a woman who leaves all that is loved and familiar behind to take care of her mother-in-law. And finally, 2 Samuel 11 and 12 tells the story of Bathsheba and King David. Talk about an imbalance of power as Bathsheba is asked to visit the bedchamber of the king! How could she say no? What would happen to her if she did?
Each of the women noted in Matthew’s genealogy were courageous in the face of danger and possible death. Three of the four women were foreigners to Israel. All of the women had to think quickly and decisively when faced with hard choices and no easy answers.
I think perhaps Matthew’s gospel writings, influenced by the Holy Spirit, honor these women by their mention in the genealogy of Jesus. The ripple effect that echoes down through the ages. Tremendous courage, self-sacrifice, humility, faith and hope. That legacy lives on through their place in the Bible.
What will your ripple effect look like? What will mine?
Blessings,
Diana Kongkeattikul
Recent Comments