Take Two

I am working on my Bible study for tonight and wanted to share something from Matthew 1.  This, of course, is the genealogy of Jesus recounted by Matthew.  It is unique that only four women (all of whom, gently put, had issues) are mentioned in his account.  They are:

o Thamar (or Tamar)- Daughter in law of Judah who played the harlot (Genesis 38)

o Rachab (or Rahab)- Canaanite harlot from Jericho- hid Israelite spies and was saved (Joshua 2)

o Ruth- Moabite who became a widow at a young age (Ruth 1)

o Bathsheba- Relationship founded on adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11)

I think Matthew is highlighting the redemptive work that Jesus came to do while he writes to the Jews.  Each of these women, for various reasons, would seem to be disqualified to being in the lineage of the Christ and yet, there they are.  I think this is because God loves messes.  He loves to intervene, fix, and create something beautiful from our messes.  While Matthew legitimatizes Jesus by emphasizing his lineage from Abraham and Judah, he also inserts an editorial if you will on why this Christ has come.

Pretty cool stuff.