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Women in Christ's Genealogy
Jesus' ultimate mission was to solve the
problem of sin, therefore it is critical that we
understand how the historical Jesus was born without
sin. The book of Matthew in the Bible included five
women in the genealogy of Christ. This is notable
since it was not customary for Jews to include women
in their records. Even more remarkable is the fact
that Matthew included some women who had disreputable
histories. The five women included were: Tamar,
Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary.
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And when Jesus was baptized,
he went up immediately from the water, and behold,
the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of
God descending like a dove, and alighting on him;
and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This
is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Matt 3:16-17 |
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Tamar disguised as a prostitute
is seen here seducing Judah, her father-in-law
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Tamar: Genesis
38:6-30
Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah.
She was a childless widow, who was given to her
brother-in-law after her husband's death. By this
marriage, her offspring would continue the name
and inheritance of the deceased. Such a union was
later called a Leverite marriage (Deut 25:5-6).
Unfortunately, Tamar's brother-in-law refused to
have proper intercourse with her. God killed him
for this. Afterwards, Judah (father-in-law) would
not give Tamar to any of his other sons. So Tamar
disguised herself as a harlot and seduced Judah.
Through him, she became the mother of Perez.
About three months later Judah
was told, "Tamar your daughter-in-law has played
the harlot; and moreover she is with child by harlotry."
And Judah said, "Bring her out, and let her
be burned." Gen 38:24
It is clear that Tamar risked her life by seducing
her own father-in-law. In the eyes of man she is
regarded as a immoral woman who probably lust for
her father-in-law. However, Tamar had a different
motivation altogether. After her second husband
was killed by God for refusing to impregnate her,
Tamar realised that God wanted her to mother a new
lineage through the lineage of Judah. She decided
that she would prostitute herself before her father-in-law
for the sake of God. |
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| Rahab:
Joshua 2:1-24
Rahab was a harlot who lived in Jericho.
At the risk of her life she hid the two spies of
Joshua. Because of this, Joshua spared her life
when they conquered Jericho. She later became the
wife of Salmon, and the mother of Boaz. Rahab's
faith was later commended (Heb 11:30-31).
Rahad was a common prostitute and is from a lineage
that is clearly not chosen but her heroic act allowed
her to be selected as one of five woman in the genealogy
of Jesus. |
Joshua sparing the life of Rahab |
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Ruth total devotion
to her mother-in-law
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Ruth: Ruth 1:1-4:22
Ruth was a foreigner from the land of Moab.
She was the widow of a Jew. Her mother-in-law, Naomi,
also lived in Moab. Naomi journeyed back to Israel
after her husband and her two sons died in Moab. Naomi
asked Ruth to return to her family as there was no
future for her to remain with her. Ruth's devotion
was extraordinary. She left her own country to follow
Naomi as she felt responsible to provide descendants
to her husband's family lineage. While in Israel,
Ruth was married to Boaz, one of Naomi's relatives.
Ruth later became the mother of Obed, the grandfather
of King David. |
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| Bathsheba:
2 Samuel 11:1-27
Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite,
who was a captain in the army of King David. Bathsheba,
was taking a bath, when King David saw her and fell
in love. She and David had an adulterous affair.
When David discovered Bathsheba was pregnant, he
tried to cover it up by summoning Uriah home from
war, hoping that Uriah would have intercourse with
his wife. Uriah came home to Jerusalem, but refused
to lay with Bathsheba as long as the armies of Israel
were at war.
So, David sent Uriah back into battle, with orders
that Uriah should be withdrawn when the fighting
became fierce. After Uriah was inevitably slained
in this manner, David took Bathsheba as his own
wife. God punished them for this by killing their
first child.
Bathsheba later became the mother of Solomon. |
Bathsheba caught the attention
of King David who fell in love with her |
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And the angel said to her, "Do
not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with
God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and
bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He
will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most
High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne
of his father David, and he will reign over the house
of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be
no end... And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in
her old age has also conceived a son; and this is
the sixth month with her who was called barren.
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into
the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered
the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth. And
when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe
leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with
the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry,
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is
the fruit of your womb!
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Mary: Matthew 1:30-36
Mary visited her relative, Elizabeth, who is the
mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:39-56) when Elizabeth
was pregnant with John. The baby leapt and Elizabeth
testified to Mary and the child she will bear. However,
Mary left the household of Zachariah before the
birth of John. Why? Mary could have been protected
by the household and high position of Zechariah
for the birth of Jesus. Why didn't she stayed?
Joseph was betrothed to Mary and when he discovered
she was pregnant. He intended to put her away secretly
as this is totally unacceptable. Mary could have
been stoned to death if Joseph revealed this matter.
However, an angel told Joseph to accept Mary as
his wife. So Joseph took Mary as his wife. Mary
bore Joseph other sons and daughters.
A chart of Jesus
genealogy is provided here.
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What is the root of sin?
How was the sinless lineage of Adam and Eve restored in
Jesus?
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