Our look at Joseph from Matthew 1:18-25 this last Sunday prompted us to turn to Matthew’s genealogy in v. 1-17. In that list, we saw Jesus’ connection to the line of David in fulfillment of prophecy.
There is so much more in that genealogy, though!!
One interesting thing is Matthew’s notation of four women. Women were not well-regarded in ancient times. In Judaism, there is a well-known, much-discussed traditional daily prayer that Jewish heads of households would recite in adherence to the Talmud (a commentary on the Law): “Thank you, God, that I am not a Gentile, a woman, or a slave.” And yet, Matthew sees fit to include four women in Jesus’ lineage.
Not only that, but Matthew chooses women who are outsiders. They are foreigners, surrounded by scandal, or both. Rahab was a pagan harlot (Joshua 2 & 6). Tamar was caught up in a tawdry affair that unmasked the deficiencies of Judah’s character (Genesis 38). Ruth was a Moabite widow, in danger of financial ruin. And Uriah’s wife? We know her as Bathsheba. She is “invited” to the palace by King David and as a result bears him an illegitimate son in one of the most infamous incidents in history (2 Samuel 11).
We all have unique and interesting characters in our families, but…hoo boy!! That is quite the cast! Often, the focus from Matthew’s genealogy is on Jesus’ place in David’s line. It is pointed out God redeems sinful people. Both are good and important applications of the text.
But what about the fact that God uses people the world ignores and despises? What a testimony to God’s grace. These four women could have lost to history based on their gender alone (not to mention their circumstances), but instead are key figures in Jesus’ family.
Consider Paul’s words to the Galatians:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)
Praise God He uses any of us, despite our lowly condition.
Click here for a beautiful, non-traditional Advent song that celebrates God’s work in these (extra) ordinary women: